Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Sexual Offenders: Associations With Sexual Recidivism Risk and Psychopathology

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107906322097003
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Kahn ◽  
Krystine Jackson ◽  
Kerry Keiser ◽  
Gina Ambroziak ◽  
Jill S. Levenson
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Family Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Wide Range

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are increasingly recognized as a public health crisis. Cumulative effects of these experiences lead to a wide range of deleterious physical and psychological outcomes. Prior research has identified higher prevalence rates of ACEs and increased criminal behavior in samples of individuals who have committed sexual offenses. In a sample of civilly committed individuals who have committed sexual offenses ( N = 317), we examined the prevalence of ACEs (cumulative scores and the two components of child harm and family dysfunction) and their association with risk for sexual recidivism and adult psychopathology. ACEs were much more prevalent in this sample compared with the general population and to lower risk samples of individuals who had committed sexual offenses. Although ACE scores were unrelated to risk for sexual recidivism, higher ACE scores were associated with increased risk of psychopathology, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, substance use disorders, and Antisocial Personality Disorder. ACEs related to family dysfunction were uniquely associated with Alcohol Use Disorder and the presence of a dual diagnosis of a paraphilia and personality disorder. Results suggest that higher risk individuals who commit sexual offenses may have greater need for trauma-informed models of care that recognize the effect of these experiences on their mental health and offense-related behavior.

Adverse Childhood Experiences of Violent Female Offenders: A Comparison of Homicide and Sexual Perpetrators

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 2312-2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn M. Pflugradt ◽  
Bradley P. Allen ◽  
Amanda J. Zintsmaster
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Female Offenders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk

Adverse childhood experiences are associated with a multitude of health and social problems. In addition to an increased risk of poor health, mental disorders, and substance abuse, childhood maltreatment is also significantly related to adult violent offending. Although gender-specific analyses suggest that early childhood maltreatment precedes later violence for males across offense categories, it is unknown whether this association also applies to different types of female offenders. This study explores the types and quantity of adverse childhood experiences for two groups of violent female offenders: perpetrators of intentional homicide ( N = 28) and perpetrators of sexual offenses ( N = 47). A nonparametric analysis using odds ratios (OR) indicated that female homicide perpetrators experienced significantly more adverse childhood experiences (as measured by the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire) than female sex offenders. Implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals “Mixed” Sexual Offending Against Both Children and Adults: An Empirical Comparison With Individuals Who Exclusively Offended Against Child or Adult Victims

2021 ◽  
pp. 009385482110028
Author(s):  
Eva Link ◽  
Friedrich Lösel
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Empirical Comparison ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sexually Offended ◽  
Methodological Difficulties

Individuals who sexually offended against both children and adults might be particularly dangerous. However, studies on this group are rare due to methodological difficulties. We investigated adverse childhood experiences, criminological variables, and other characteristics as well as recidivism in individuals who sexually offended against mixed-aged victims (ISOMAVs) compared to individuals who exclusively offended against adults (ISOAs) or children (ISOCs). Compared to previous studies, we applied more stringent classification criteria by including only individuals with at least two past sexual offenses. Analyses revealed that ISOMAVs more often had an extensive history of sexual offending. In addition, they were more likely than ISOAs to assault males, and more likely than ISOCs to assault strangers. Violent reoffending was more common in ISOMAVs compared to ISOCs, but ISOMAVs showed no more sexual recidivism. Other findings, limitations, and implications for research and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Preparing for the COVID-19 paediatric mental health crisis: A focus on youth reactions to caretaker death

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452110618
Author(s):  
Naomi Liang ◽  
Timothy D Becker ◽  
Timothy Rice
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Paediatric Care ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk

To promote clinician preparedness for working with children and adolescents who lost or will lose a parent or caretaker to COVID-19, findings from a review of the literature concerning youth reactions to parent and caretaker death and incapacitation were integrated with recent and emergent data concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents who lose a parent or caretaker are at an increased risk of anxiety and depressive reactions and disorders, externalizing and health-risk behaviours, and substance use disorders. Particular aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic may influence these presentations and the risk of complicated grief. Youth with prior histories of adverse childhood experiences as well as boys and young men may require special considerations in formulation and planning. Tailored paediatric care based on the evidence advances accurate formulations and effective interventions for children and adolescents who suffer such a loss.

scholarly journals Adverse Childhood Experiences on Reproductive Plans and Adolescent Pregnancy in the Gulf Resilience on Women’s Health Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Megan Flaviano ◽  
Emily W. Harville
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Adolescent Pregnancy ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk

We investigated if adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and ACE sub-types were associated with increased odds of planning to have children and adolescent pregnancy. The Gulf Resilience on Women’s Health (GROWH) is a diverse cohort of reproductive-age women living in southeastern Louisiana during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In our sample of 1482 women, we used multinomial logistic regression to model odds ratios of wanting future children and assessed effect measure modification by educational attainment. We also estimated odds ratios of adolescent pregnancy with binomial logistic regression. Exposure to ACEs increased odds of wanting future children across all ACE sub-types. Among women with lower educational attainment, three or more ACEs (overall, childhood, and adolescence) had over two times the odds of wanting future children. History of ACE and the various sub-types, except for emotional abuse, were associated with increased risk of adolescent pregnancy. ACEs may be linked to adolescent pregnancy and reproductive plans, and variations by educational status highlighted social discrepancies and importance of social context in evaluation and intervention.

scholarly journals Associations of adverse childhood experiences and social support with self-injurious behaviour and suicidality in adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 214 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Wan ◽  
Ruoling Chen ◽  
Shuangshuang Ma ◽  
Danielle McFeeters ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Individual

BackgroundThere is little investigation on the interaction effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in community adolescent populations, or gender differences in these effects.AimsTo examine the individual and interaction effects of ACEs and social support on NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents, and explore gender differences.MethodA school-based health survey was conducted in three provinces in China between 2013–2014. A total of 14 820 students aged 10–20 years completed standard questionnaires, to record details of ACEs, social support, NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.ResultsOf included participants, 89.4% reported one or more category of ACEs. The 12-month prevalence of NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 26.1%, 17.5% and 4.4%, respectively; all were significantly associated with increased ACEs and lower social support. The multiple adjusted odds ratio of NSSI in low versus high social support was 2.27 (95% CI 1.85–2.67) for girls and 1.81 (95% CI 1.53–2.14) for boys, and their ratio (Ratio of two odds ratios, ROR) was 1.25 (P = 0.037). Girls with high ACEs scores (5–6) and moderate or low social support also had a higher risk of suicide attempt than boys (RORs: 2.34, 1.84 and 2.02, respectively; all P < 0.05).ConclusionsACEs and low social support are associated with increased risk of NSSI and suicidality in Chinese adolescents. Strategies to improve social support, particularly among female adolescents with a high number of ACEs, should be an integral component of targeted mental health interventions.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Adverse Childhood Experiences and Early Pubertal Timing Among Girls: A Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 2887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Dandan Zhang ◽  
Ying Sun
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Pubertal Timing ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Father Absence ◽  
Family Dysfunction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Early Pubertal Timing

The association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and pubertal timing has been a topic of enduring controversy. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was undertaken to quantify the magnitude of total and specific forms of ACEs effects on early pubertal timing among girls. Our search identified 3280 records, of which 43 studies with 46 independent data sets met inclusion criteria. We estimated pooled effect sizes (Cohen’s ds) for the association between ACEs with early pubertal timing. Total ACEs was not associated with early pubertal timing. When we examined the specific types of ACEs, associations were small to medium for father absence (d = −0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.63, −0.16) and small for sexual abuse (d = −0.13, CI: −0.17, −0.10) and family dysfunction (d = −0.08, CI: −0.11, −0.02). We identified considerable heterogeneity between estimates for almost all of the outcomes. ACEs exposure may affect female reproductive reproduction, particularly father absence, sexual abuse, and family dysfunction. We propose that future research in this area test a theoretical model linking adversity with earlier reproductive strategy, which includes early pubertal timing as a core component linking early adversity and stress physiology with poor health outcomes later in life in females.

scholarly journals Impact of adverse childhood experiences and fruit and vegetable intake in adulthood

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Horino ◽  
Wei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Parental Divorce ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objective: To assess the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and behaviours of fruit and vegetable consumption among adults. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Weighted χ2 and weighted multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between ACE and low fruit and vegetable consumption. Setting: The 2017 Nevada Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Participants: The sample consisted of 2939 adults. Results: After controlling for potential confounders, exposure to three or more ACE (adjusted OR (AOR) 1·42, 95 % CI 1·02, 2·00) and experiencing parental divorce/separation (AOR 1·50, 95 % CI 1·13, 1·98) were significantly associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption. The study did not find a dose–response relationship between the number of ACE and fruit and vegetable consumption. Conclusions: The study suggests that participants who experienced three or more ACE or parental divorce/separation were at increased risk for low fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings highlight the continuing need for public health interventions and policies that decrease exposure to ACE and increase fruit and vegetable intake among the populations with ACE.

scholarly journals Relationship between childhood socioeconomic position and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 1087-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Walsh ◽  
Gerry McCartney ◽  
Michael Smith ◽  
Gillian Armour
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Relationship

Background‘Adverse childhood experiences’ (ACEs) are associated with increased risk of negative outcomes in later life: ACEs have consequently become a policy priority in many countries. Despite ACEs being highly socially patterned, there has been very little discussion in the political discourse regarding the role of childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) in understanding and addressing them. The aim here was to undertake a systematic review of the literature on the relationship between childhood SEP and ACEs.MethodsMEDLINE, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were: (1) measurement of SEP in childhood; (2) measurement of multiple ACEs; (3) ACEs were the outcome; and (4) statistical quantification of the relationship between childhood SEP and ACEs. Search terms included ACEs, SEP and synonyms; a second search additionally included ‘maltreatment’. Overall study quality/risk of bias was calculated using a modified version of the Hamilton Tool.ResultsIn the ACEs-based search, only 6 out of 2825 screened papers were eligible for qualitative synthesis. The second search (including maltreatment) increased numbers to: 4562 papers screened and 35 included for synthesis. Eighteen papers were deemed ‘high’ quality, five ‘medium’ and the rest ‘low’. Meaningful statistical associations were observed between childhood SEP and ACEs/maltreatment in the vast majority of studies, including all except one of those deemed to be high quality.ConclusionLower childhood SEP is associated with a greater risk of ACEs/maltreatment. With UK child poverty levels predicted to increase markedly, any policy approach that ignores the socioeconomic context to ACEs is therefore flawed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017064781.

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