Examining traditional and expanded ACEs among youth in secure care: Patterns of interrelatedness

This study examines the prevalence and interrelatedness of traditional and expanded adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among high‐risk youth placed in secure care facilities in Korea. Extending prior research conducted primarily in Western contexts, this study incorporates an expanded ACE framework and focuses on a justice‐involved population rarely examined in East Asian settings. The analysis explored how different forms of adversity co‐occur and accumulate. Results showed that both traditional and expanded ACEs were highly prevalent, with most youth reporting multiple adversities. Logistic regression identified strong co‐occurrence between specific ACE combinations, and linear regression showed that each ACE was significantly associated with elevated cumulative adversity. These findings highlight the extent to which adverse experiences co‐occur and accumulate in this population and underscore the importance of ACE‐informed assessments and interventions within the justice system.