Differentiating the Patterns of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Roles in Substance Use Vulnerability Among Emerging Adults

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact later substance use; however, specific ACE patterns and their roles in substance use among emerging adults remain understudied. This study examined whether distinct ACE patterns are associated with four risk factors for substance use disorders (SUDs): hopelessness, impulsivity, and positive or negative emotional craving. Using latent class analysis (LCA), we identified ACE patterns in a sample of 221 emerging adults, primarily racial/ethnic minorities (61.5%) and female (78.7%), aged 18 to 21 (M = 19.1). Three ACE exposure profiles emerged: Low ACEs (59.6%), Emotional ACEs (20.9%), and High/Multiple ACEs (19.5%). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess associations between these classes and SUD risk factors while adjusting for demographic variables. Findings indicated that individuals in the Emotional ACEs class had significantly higher hopelessness and impulsivity than those in the Low ACEs class. Additionally, participants in the High/Multiple ACEs class reported significantly greater negative emotional craving compared to both the Low ACEs and Emotional ACEs classes. Our findings suggest that ACE exposure patterns are associated with variation in risk factors for SUDs during the transition to adulthood. Therefore, examining qualitative ACE patterns, rather than solely counting ACEs, could be an important step in prevention and intervention efforts to reduce SUD rates among emerging adults. Tailoring prevention strategies to specific ACE patterns may also help mitigate SUD risk among this population more effectively.