How Do Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect The Likelihood Of Engaging In Criminal Activity?

Kayla Goh

ABSTRACT 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) consist of various stressful childhood experiences that affect a child’s future mental well-being and behaviour. This research paper examines how adverse childhood experiences affect the likelihood of engaging in criminal activity. An extensive literature review was conducted that explores the link between ACEs and criminal behaviour, as well as causal factors and preventive measures of ACEs. The findings reveal that there is a positive correlation between the presence and number of ACEs and criminal activity. The paper aims to highlight the effect of various factors, more specifically, environmental factors and stigmatization, on ACEs, and how ACEs can affect emotion regulation, behavioural development, and neurological development, which in turn influences behaviour. Preventative and intervention measures of ACEs, such as psychotherapy and drug therapy, are further underscored to show how the likelihood of engaging in criminal activity can be decreased.

Keywords: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Emotion regulation, Mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Stigmatization, Protective factors

How Do Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect The Likelihood Of Engaging In Criminal Activit.

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