Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are increasingly recognized as a public health crisis. Cumulative effects of these experiences lead to a wide range of deleterious physical and psychological outcomes. Prior research has identified higher prevalence rates of ACEs and increased criminal behavior in samples of individuals who have committed sexual offenses. In a sample of civilly committed individuals who have committed sexual offenses (N = 317), we examined the prevalence of ACEs (cumulative scores and the two components of child harm and family dysfunction) and their association with risk for sexual recidivism and adult psychopathology. ACEs were much more prevalent in this sample compared with the general population and to lower risk samples of individuals who had committed sexual offenses. Although ACE scores were unrelated to risk for sexual recidivism, higher ACE scores were associated with increased risk of psychopathology, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, substance use disorders, and Antisocial Personality Disorder. ACEs related to family dysfunction were uniquely associated with Alcohol Use Disorder and the presence of a dual diagnosis of a paraphilia and personality disorder. Results suggest that higher risk individuals who commit sexual offenses may have greater need for trauma-informed models of care that recognize the effect of these experiences on their mental health and offense-related behavior.

不良童年经历 (ACE) 越来越被认为是一种公共卫生危机。这些经历的累积影响会导致各种有害的身体和心理结果。先前的研究已经确定，在实施性犯罪的个人样本中，ACE 的患病率更高，犯罪行为也有所增加。在实施过性犯罪的民事犯罪人样本中（N= 317)，我们检查了 ACE 的患病率（累积分数和儿童伤害和家庭功能障碍的两个组成部分）及其与性再犯和成人精神病理学风险的关联。与一般人群相比，ACE 在该样本中更为普遍，并且与犯下性犯罪的个人的风险样本相比要低得多。尽管 ACE 评分与性再犯风险无关，但较高的 ACE 评分与精神病理学风险增加有关，包括焦虑症、抑郁症、物质使用障碍和反社会人格障碍。与家庭功能障碍相关的 ACE 与酒精使用障碍以及嗜好和人格障碍的双重诊断有关。