Do Adverse Childhood Experiences Influence the Desistance Process?

Prior work has found that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase the likelihood of offending while turning points decrease the likelihood of offending. However, these two research areas are yet to be combined. The current study assesses how ACEs influence the effects of marriage and military on desistance using a nationally representative sample. Gender and racial differences are also considered. Marriage predicted desistance among those with ACEs. The military was not predictive of desistance among the full sample, though it was salient among nonwhites with ACEs. The results demonstrated that social bonds can still buffer the effects of ACEs on offending.