Adverse Childhood Experiences and Emerging Adults' Education and Employment

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Emerging Adults' Education and Employment
Language: English
Authors: Wei-Lin Chen (ORCID 0000-0002-6203-6098)
Source: Youth & Society. 2026 58(4):654-677.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Trauma, Child Abuse, At Risk Persons, Correlation, Employment Level, Family Environment, Educational Attainment, Early Experience, Individual Characteristics
DOI: 10.1177/0044118X251381831
ISSN: 0044-118X
1552-8499
Abstract: This study examines how different adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with the educational and employment outcomes of American emerging adults. Using data from the 2017 and 2019 Transition into Adulthood Supplement (TAS-2017 and TAS-2019), the study examines household dysfunction and maltreatment separately, as well as cumulative risk, and their association with five educational and employment outcomes in emerging adulthood. Results show that maltreatment experiences are more strongly associated with negative educational and employment outcomes of emerging adults than household dysfunction. Emerging adults with a history of maltreatment are less likely to be employed, with or without benefits. Maltreatment experiences and household dysfunction decrease adults' probability of achieving a bachelor's degree and increase their likelihood of unemployment. The study also reveals that elevated levels of household dysfunction, maltreatment experiences, and ACEs as a cumulative risk are associated with more substantial adverse outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502350
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study examines how different adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with the educational and employment outcomes of American emerging adults. Using data from the 2017 and 2019 Transition into Adulthood Supplement (TAS-2017 and TAS-2019), the study examines household dysfunction and maltreatment separately, as well as cumulative risk, and their association with five educational and employment outcomes in emerging adulthood. Results show that maltreatment experiences are more strongly associated with negative educational and employment outcomes of emerging adults than household dysfunction. Emerging adults with a history of maltreatment are less likely to be employed, with or without benefits. Maltreatment experiences and household dysfunction decrease adults' probability of achieving a bachelor's degree and increase their likelihood of unemployment. The study also reveals that elevated levels of household dysfunction, maltreatment experiences, and ACEs as a cumulative risk are associated with more substantial adverse outcomes.
ISSN:0044-118X
1552-8499
DOI:10.1177/0044118X251381831