Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
Abstract/Artist Statement
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are significant negative exposures that strongly influence adult behavioral, physical, and mental health. ACEs disrupt emotional, cognitive, social, and physiological functioning, shaping developmental trajectories across the lifespan.
This study’s purpose is to examine how ACEs drive progressive, intergenerational patterns of harm that can lead to substance misuse, mental health challenges, and eventual involvement with the criminal legal system, including adult incarceration. The US prevalence of ACEs and the social and economic costs associated with their long-term impacts are explored. The analysis identifies pathways linking specific ACEs to distinct criminalized behaviors, highlighting how early adversity increases the likelihood of justice-system involvement. An overview of state-level ACEs legislative efforts and policies to strengthen advocacy is provided. Successful interventions mitigating long-term effects of ACEs on incarceration are identified. The study concludes by outlining evidence-based avenues for future research. This research design is a literature review of available information from 1990 to 2025.
This project carries significant broad impacts for students, the university, and society. By advancing a deeper understanding of ACEs as a preventable public health and social systems issue, it supports efforts to design more equitable, trauma-informed environments. The findings could inform state policy, strengthen community-based prevention initiatives, and drive future research. This could contribute to long-term reductions in violence, incarceration, health disparities, and intergenerational adversity.
The project builds upon the university’s role as a leader in research that can be applied to real world situations, creating evidence-based systems change. The research is broadly applicable to numerous disciplines, including public health, social work, psychology, administration, education, and law. It provides knowledge for designing interventions at individual, relational, organizational, and structural levels. This project enhanced my professional development by deepening my expertise of ACEs and systems-level analysis. It strengthened skills in conceptual synthesis, policy translation, and community-engaged scholarship.
Mentor Name
James Caringi
The Winding Road to Incarceration: Associations of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, Substance Use, and Adult Incarceration
UC North Ballroom
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are significant negative exposures that strongly influence adult behavioral, physical, and mental health. ACEs disrupt emotional, cognitive, social, and physiological functioning, shaping developmental trajectories across the lifespan.
This study’s purpose is to examine how ACEs drive progressive, intergenerational patterns of harm that can lead to substance misuse, mental health challenges, and eventual involvement with the criminal legal system, including adult incarceration. The US prevalence of ACEs and the social and economic costs associated with their long-term impacts are explored. The analysis identifies pathways linking specific ACEs to distinct criminalized behaviors, highlighting how early adversity increases the likelihood of justice-system involvement. An overview of state-level ACEs legislative efforts and policies to strengthen advocacy is provided. Successful interventions mitigating long-term effects of ACEs on incarceration are identified. The study concludes by outlining evidence-based avenues for future research. This research design is a literature review of available information from 1990 to 2025.
This project carries significant broad impacts for students, the university, and society. By advancing a deeper understanding of ACEs as a preventable public health and social systems issue, it supports efforts to design more equitable, trauma-informed environments. The findings could inform state policy, strengthen community-based prevention initiatives, and drive future research. This could contribute to long-term reductions in violence, incarceration, health disparities, and intergenerational adversity.
The project builds upon the university’s role as a leader in research that can be applied to real world situations, creating evidence-based systems change. The research is broadly applicable to numerous disciplines, including public health, social work, psychology, administration, education, and law. It provides knowledge for designing interventions at individual, relational, organizational, and structural levels. This project enhanced my professional development by deepening my expertise of ACEs and systems-level analysis. It strengthened skills in conceptual synthesis, policy translation, and community-engaged scholarship.