Rural–Urban/Suburban Differences in the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Delinquency

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognized as significant precursors to delinquency. However, to date, no studies have explicitly examined the interconnectedness of ACEs, residency in rural or urban/suburban areas, and delinquent behavior to discern potential variations among youths residing in these distinct areas. This study aims to address this important gap in existing literature. Data from the 2022 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), comprising a statewide representative sample of students enrolled in public high schools in Florida (N = 23,078), were analyzed using negative binominal regression models. Our findings demonstrate a significant correlation between ACEs and delinquent behavior, with notable variations in this association among youths residing in rural versus urban/suburban environments. In particular, the impact of ACEs on the anticipated frequency of delinquent behaviors appears to be marginally greater among adolescents residing in urban/suburban locales compared to their counterparts in rural areas. Implications are provided.