The conditioning role of perceptions of collective efficacy in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and delinquency

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are stressful or traumatic incidents linked to various negative outcomes, including delinquent behavior. Although research has demonstrated that exposure to ACEs increases involvement in delinquency, there is a lack of understanding of factors influencing this relationship. Not all who encounter adversity engage in delinquency, which suggests that other conditions can affect how youth respond to ACEs. We examine the potential influence of neighborhood collective efficacy on the relationship between ACEs and delinquency. Using prospective longitudinal data from the Longitudinal Studies on Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), we investigate relationships between ACEs, perceptions of neighborhood collective efficacy, and adolescent delinquency among a sample of 802 at-risk youth. Negative binomial regression estimates and evaluation of marginal effects reveal that the relationship between ACEs and delinquency is moderated by perceptions of collective efficacy, implying that stronger perceived collective efficacy attenuates the impact of ACEs on delinquency. This moderation effect is specific to youth exposed to five or more ACEs. These findings suggest that neighborhood conditions play a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of youth exposed to ACEs. Implications for policy and future research on the interplay between ACEs, neighborhood factors, and delinquency are discussed. •Cumulative ACEs were positively related to adolescent involvement in delinquency at age 16.•Perceptions of neighborhood collective efficacy moderated the relationship between cumulative ACEs and delinquency.•The impact of ACEs on delinquency was weaker across stronger levels of perceived neighborhood collective efficacy.•This moderation effect was specific to ACE scores of 5 or more. Moderation was marginally significant for ACE scores of 4.•Perceptions of collective efficacy did not significantly attenuate the impact of ACE scores of 3 or fewer on delinquency.