Childhood abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and juvenile recidivism: The mediating role of social bonds

• Published in: Journal of criminal justice 2022-09, Vol.82, p.101998, Article 101998
• Main Authors: Craig, Jessica M., Wolff, Kevin T., Pierce, Kelly, Zettler, Haley, Baglivio, Michael T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences; Attachment; Child abuse & neglect; Childhood experiences; Childhood factors; Juvenile offenders; Offending; Path analysis; Primates; Recidivism; Social bonds; Structural equation modeling; Youth
• ISSN: 0047-2352; 1873-6203
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2022.101998

Though prior research has found a connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and offending, only a few studies have investigated potential mediators that may help explain these effects. The current study builds upon childhood abuse research that has found social bonds to be a mediator between childhood maltreatment and offending and examines the extent to which social bonds represent an intervening variable between ACEs and recidivism. Methods: Using a sample of first-time adjudicated youth and an expanded measure of social bonds, a structural equation modeling (SEM) path analysis of the ACEs → social bonds → juvenile recidivism relationship was conducted. The models revealed partial support for mediation- the indirect effect of ACEs on recidivism via social bonds was marginally significant. Further, it was found that 32% of the total effect of ACEs on recidivism operated through a youth's social bonds. These findings highlight one potential mechanism of the ACE-offending relationship and further implications of this indirect relationship are discussed. •This study examines if social bonds mediate the effect of trauma on recidivism.•Structural equation models reveal partial support for mediation.•Thirty-two percent of the ACEs effect on recidivism operated through social bonds.