ACEs, onset of aggression, and initiation of out-of-home placements in a sample of youth in residential treatment for sexually abusive behavior
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) exhibit a strong influence on later functioning in adolescence and adulthood, including impacts on physical and mental health, as well as behavioral and risk-related outcomes. Youth who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors experience ACEs and negative outco...
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| Format: | Others |
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Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University
2020
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| Online Access: | https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/593 https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1727&context=honors |
| Summary: | Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) exhibit a strong influence on later functioning in adolescence and adulthood, including impacts on physical and mental health, as well as behavioral and risk-related outcomes. Youth who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors experience ACEs and negative outcomes at significantly elevated rates. The current study evaluates the relationship between ACEs and the youth’s own behavior and onset and length out-of-home placements, including family- or home-based, residential, and correctional placements. Data for this study consisted of archival records that were collected from a nonprofit inpatient treatment facility for adolescents who had engaged in sexually abusive behavior. The sample included 290 males and 5 females between the ages of 10 and 17 years of age (M = 14.8, SD = 1.56). Descriptive frequencies, correlational analyses, and linear regression analyses were performed to examine hypothesized relationships. Differing predictors emerged for initial onset and length of out-of-home placement types, with ACEs as stronger predictors of family-based placements, and the youths’ own aggressive and problematic sexual behaviors more predictive of onset and length of residential and correctional placements. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed. |
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