Running from trauma: Examining the impact of adverse childhood experiences on running-away and delinquency between genders

This study’s goals were to (1) test whether running away behavior is a result of ACEs, (2) identify whether running away precedes delinquency, (3) examine repetitive ACEs effects, and (4) examine gender differences in ACEs and types of delinquency. Using the Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) dataset, the study employed logistic regression models to analyze the influence of single and repetitive ACEs on juvenile delinquent behavior. Repetitive neglect and repetitive violence exposures were found to be significantly related to reporting property charges in both genders. Additionally, girls who reported single-time physical abuse and multiple violence exposure experiences are more likely to commit property offenses. Multiple exposures to violence in the neighborhood showed the most significant effects on explaining violent offending behavior among males. Runaway behavior plays a role in juveniles engaging in delinquency and suggests important paths to delinquency. Influences from ACEs to running away to delinquency are apparent in this study. Repetitive ACEs were found to be powerful predictors of juvenile delinquency.