1. Examining Deprivation and Threat Dimensions of Trauma Exposure with Recidivism Outcomes and Risk Among Justice-Involved Youth
Becca K. Bergquist, M. A., Kelsey A. Maloney, M. A., Ashley T. Peck, B. A., Sherzine M. McKenzie, Ph.D., & Adam T. Schmidt, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University | University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa | Positive Outcomes Psychological Services
Limitations include limited sample size and generalizability as well as the cross-sectional design.
However, this study highlights the need for future research on executive function as a possible target for enhancing exercise intervention efficacy.
Introduction
Participants
Results
Conclusions
Although our findings do not support the hypothesis that a two dimensional model of ACE exposure would differentially predict recidivism outcomes, we did find that it predicted overall risk level even when controlling for recidivism.
Our findings help support the research that shows that trauma influences the likelihood to reoffend (Fox et al., 2015), as risk level is positively correlated to recidivism and related to specific dimensions of ACE exposure.
Limitations to these findings include a relatively small recidivism percentage. Such a small sample could be affecting the power of our findings, specifically with the low frequency of the deprivation variable (due to the limited items for this variable)
Future research should examine more closely if these two dimensions operate differently, compared to a total ACE score, with larger sample sizes and a more robust deprivation dimension.
Finding 1
High correlation between risk level and recidivism, r(547)=.156, p <.001, risk level and threat, r(547)=.362, p<.001, and risk level and deprivation, r(547)=.263, p<.001.
Finding 2
Neither threat and recidivism (=0.15, p = .645, 95% CI [-.047, .076]), nor deprivation and recidivism (=0.26, p = .627, 95% CI [-.079, .130]), R2 change = .001, were significantly predictive after taking into account the control variables.
Finding 3
Significant relationship between threat and risk level (=0.508, p<.001, 95% CI [.387, .629]), and deprivation and risk level (=0.566, p <.001, 95% CI [.354, .777]), R2 change = 0.161, after taking into account the control variables.
Data obtained from a suburban County Juvenile Probation Department in South East Texas.
549 juvenile offenders between age (Mage =15.04), with a 14% recidivism rate.
26.4% classified as Low risk, 38.4% classified as Moderate risk, and 35.2% classified as High risk
Via the PACT
Justice-involved youth have higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) compared to the general population, with an average of 3 ACEs (Abram et al., 2014; Baglivio et al., 2014; Dierkhising et al., 2013), which directly and indirectly effect recidivism (Wolf & Baglivio, 2017).
Two dimensions of childhood adversity, threat (physical, sexual, emotional abuse) and deprivation (poverty, physical/emotional neglect), differentially predict developmental challenges (Lambert et al., 2017; McLaughlin, Sheridan, & Lambert, 2014).
Little research examines if dimensions of ACEs, such as threat and deprivation, differentially relate to juvenile outcomes, such as recidivism and overall risk level.
Methods
Each juvenile completed the Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT)
A risk assessment measure that has been successfully used to derive ACE scores (Baglivio et al., 2014).
ACE’s for Threat: emotional, physical, sexual, & family violence (N=313, 57%)
Any endorsement of one of these 4
ACE’s for Deprivation: physical neglect (N=48, 8.7%)
Regression 1:
IV’s: Threat, Deprivation
Control: Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Risk Level
DV: Recidivism
Regression 2:
Control: Age ,Gender, Ethnicity, Recidivism
DV: Risk Level
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine if justice-involved youth’s recidivism and risk level are differentially affected by types of ACEs using a two- dimensional model of trauma (threat vs. deprivation).
We hypothesize that after controlling for other variables, threat and deprivation will differentially predict recidivism and overall risk level.
References
Abram, K.M., Teplin, L. A., Charles, D. R., Longworth, S. L., McClelland, G. M., & Dulcan, M. K. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma in youth in juvenile detention. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61(4), doi: /archpsyc
Baglivio, M. T., Epps, N., Swartz, K., Huq, M. S., & Hardt, N. S. (2014). The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in the lives of juvenile offenders. Journal of Juvenile Justice, 3, 1-23.
Dierkhising, C. B., Ko, S. J., Woods-Jaeger, B., Briggs, E. C., Lee, R., & Pynoos, R. S. (2013). Trauma histories among justice-involved youth: Findings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 4, 1-12.
Fox, B. H., Perez, N., Cass, E., Baglivio, M. T., & Epps, N. (2015). Trauma changes everything: Examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and serious, violent and chronic juvenile offenders. Child Abuse & Neglect, 46, doi:10.106/j.chiabu
Lambert, H. K., King, K. M., Monahan, K. C., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2017). Differential association of threat and deprivation with emotion regulation and cognitive control in adolescence. Developmental Psychopathology, 29(3), doi:10.107/S
McLaughlin, K. A., Sheridan, M. A., & Lambert, H. K. (2014). Childhood adversity and neural development: Deprivation and threat as distinct dimensions of early experience. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 47, doi: /j.neubiorev
Wolff, K. T., Baglivio, M. T., & Piquero, A. R. (2017). The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and recidivism in a sample of juvenile offenders in community-based treatment. International Journal of offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 61(11), doi: / X