The Mediating Role of Alcohol Use Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Delinquency Among Youth in the Legal System

TL;DR

This study explores how childhood trauma and alcohol use are linked to delinquency in youth involved in the legal system.

Contribution

It identifies alcohol use as a mediator between adverse childhood experiences and delinquency among legally involved youth.

Findings

Youth with delinquent petitions showed mediated effects of ACEs on delinquency through alcohol use.

Alcohol use was not a mediator for youth with status petitions.

High rates of ACEs were reported among youth in the legal system.

Abstract

Rates of alcohol use and exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are elevated among youth in the legal system (YILS) compared to their non-legally involved peers. Exposure to ACEs has been associated with later alcohol use and delinquency, and YILS often engage in delinquent behavior while under the influence of alcohol. The associations between ACEs, alcohol use, and delinquency among YILS are complex and multidirectional; research has yet to explore how these experiences and behaviors influence each other over time, or whether they differ based upon the reason for legal system involvement (status or delinquent petition). This study examined whether YILS’ ACEs were prospectively associated with self-reported delinquent behaviors, and whether self-reported recent alcohol use was an explanatory mechanism for this association. Multigroup mediation analyses were utilized to examine if these pathways differed based on youth’s court petition type. Results indicated that YILS report high rates of ACEs. Frequency of recent alcohol use mediated the associations between ACEs and subsequent delinquency for youth with a delinquent, but not status, petition. Concurrent assessment of trauma exposure and alcohol use when youth first enter the legal system is imperative to inform early intervention needs to reduce the likelihood of continued system involvement.

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