The Differential Contribution of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Perceived Discrimination on Substance Use among Hispanic Emerging Adults

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and peer influences consistently predict early tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. However, less research considers how peer and community influences contribute to or modify the association between ACEs and early substance use. This study addresses these gaps in the literature by analyzing multilevel, longitudinal data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN; N = 1,912). Unstructured socializing and peer substance use largely explained the association between ACEs and drinking, smoking cigarettes, and illicit drug use in the past month. A history of ACEs magnified the association between peer substance use and the number of cigarettes smoked. Collective efficacy also shaped the associations between peer influences, ACEs, and substance use, but in different ways depending on the substance use outcome analyzed.

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Adverse childhood experiences and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents of a Brazilian birth cohort

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/0102-311x00085815 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (10) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Helen Gonçalves ◽

Ana Luiza Gonçalves Soares ◽

Ana Paula Gomes dos Santos ◽

Camila Garcez Ribeiro ◽

Isabel Oliveira Bierhals ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Family Environment ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Men And Women ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

The Family ◽

Brazilian Cohort

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents from a Brazilian cohort. The occurrence of five ACEs, the use of alcohol and tobacco and trying illicit drugs were investigated in the 1993 Pelotas birth cohort at the age of 15 (n = 4,230). A score was created for the ACEs and their association with the use of substances was evaluated. Around 25% of adolescents consumed alcohol, 6% smoked and 2.1% reported having used drugs at least once in their lives. The ACEs were associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. A dose-response relation between the number of ACEs and the substance use was found, particularly with regard to illicit drugs. The occurrence of ACEs was positively associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents and the risk may be different for men and women. These results point to the fact that strategies for preventing the use of substances should include interventions both among adolescents and within the family environment.

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Gang Involvement Among Juvenile Offenders: Assessing the Mediation Effects of Substance Use and Temperament Deficits

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice ◽

10.1177/1541204019854799 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 24-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kevin T. Wolff ◽

Michael T. Baglivio ◽

Hannah J. Klein ◽

Alex R. Piquero ◽

Matt DeLisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Juvenile Offenders ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Mediation Effects ◽

Gang Involvement ◽

Adverse Childhood

A growing body of research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Less understood is the role of ACEs in gang involvement among juvenile offenders. The current longitudinal study employs a sample of 104,267 juvenile offenders (mean age of 16, 76% male, 46% Black non-Hispanic, 15.7% Hispanic) to examine the effect of ACE exposure on two different measures of gang involvement by age 18. We use structural equation modeling to test whether higher ACE exposure at Time 1 predicts gang involvement and whether current substance use and/or difficult temperament mediates the ACE-gang involvement relationship. Results indicate ACE exposure at Time 1 predicts gang involvement by age 18, but that much of the effect of ACEs on later gang involvement can be explained by their impact on current substance abuse and difficult temperament. Implications for juvenile justice systems are discussed.

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