Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in an Adult Offender Population: Making the Case for Trauma-Informed Treatment

Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2014

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Lavita Nadkarni

Second Advisor

Ragnar Storaasli

Third Advisor

Elizabeth Sather

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Offender population, Trauma, Recidivism, Forensic treatment, Adverse childhood experiences (ACE)

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in the adult offender population and the relationship between these adverse childhood experiences and risk factors for recidivism, including homelessness, animal cruelty, and substance abuse. The sample consisted of a random sample of 130 offenders receiving outpatient therapy services as a condition of their supervision through a private treatment company in Denver, Colorado. Participants in the study were predominantly White, Latino/a, or Black/African-American and were primarily between the ages of 18 and 60. Results showed that the majority of the participants (83%) reported experiencing at least one category of adverse childhood experiences, 37% reported ≥ four experiences, and 7% reported ≥ eight experiences. There was a positive correlation between Total ACE Score and number of criminal convictions (r = .271, p < .01), and the ACE Score was found to be higher for individuals who endorsed a history of substance abuse, homelessness, witnessing and perpetrating animal abuse. These findings provide support for the need to incorporate trauma-focused interventions into the forensic mental health treatment. Furthermore, the results have implications for the interpretation and implementation of the principles identified in the Risk-Need-Responsivity model; a widely accepted model for forensic treatment.

Copyright Date

6-2014

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Leah Wallerstein

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

32 pgs

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