Adverse Childhood Experiences and Emerging Adults’ Education and Employment

This study examines how different adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with the educational and employment outcomes of American emerging adults. Using data from the 2017 and 2019 Transition into Adulthood Supplement (TAS-2017 and TAS-2019), the study examines household dysfunction and maltreatment separately, as well as cumulative risk, and their association with five educational and employment outcomes in emerging adulthood. Results show that maltreatment experiences are more strongly associated with negative educational and employment outcomes of emerging adults than household dysfunction. Emerging adults with a history of maltreatment are less likely to be employed, with or without benefits. Maltreatment experiences and household dysfunction decrease adults’ probability of achieving a bachelor’s degree and increase their likelihood of unemployment. The study also reveals that elevated levels of household dysfunction, maltreatment experiences, and ACEs as a cumulative risk are associated with more substantial adverse outcomes.