Table_1_Adverse childhood experiences and deviant peer affiliation among Chinese delinquent adolescents: the role of relative deprivation and age.DOCX

BackgroundDeviant peer affiliation is considered a potential risk factor for adolescent delinquency. Due to the serious situation of adolescent delinquency in China, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms by which adolescents associate with deviant peers.
ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and deviant peer affiliation, the mediating effect of relative deprivation, and the moderating effect of age in a sample of Chinese delinquent adolescents.
MethodsFive hundred and forty-two Special School students aged 11–18 years were interviewed and completed questionnaires, including demographics, adverse childhood experiences, deviant peer affiliation, and relative deprivation.
Results(1) After controlling for gender, adverse childhood experiences and deviant peer affiliation were significantly and positively associated among delinquent adolescents. (2) The effect of ACEs on deviant peer affiliation was mediated by relative deprivation. (3) Age played a moderating role not only in the relationship between ACEs and relative deprivation, but also in the indirect relationship in which ACEs influence deviant peer affiliation through relative deprivation; specifically, the indirect effect of ACEs influencing deviant peer affiliation through relative deprivation was stronger in early adolescence compared with late adolescence.
ConclusionOverall, early ACEs play an important role in deviant peer affiliation among delinquent adolescents and relative deprivation is an important mediating variable. The results of the present study emphasize the importance of cognitive interventions for delinquent adolescents who experience ACEs in early adolescence, which may be instructive for the prevention of adolescent delinquency.

研究背景：偏差同伴交往（deviant peer affiliation）被视为青少年违法犯罪（adolescent delinquency）的潜在风险因素。鉴于中国青少年违法犯罪形势严峻，探究青少年与偏差同伴建立交往关系的内在机制实属必要。
研究目的：本研究以中国违法青少年群体为样本，旨在考察不良童年经历（adverse childhood experiences, ACEs）与偏差同伴交往之间的关联，同时验证相对剥夺感（relative deprivation）的中介效应以及年龄的调节效应。
研究方法：本研究共招募542名年龄介于11至18岁的工读学校（Special School）学生，对其开展访谈并完成调查问卷，问卷内容涵盖人口统计学资料（demographics）、不良童年经历、偏差同伴交往以及相对剥夺感等维度。
研究结果：（1）在控制性别变量后，违法青少年群体中不良童年经历与偏差同伴交往呈显著正相关关系；（2）相对剥夺感在不良童年经历对偏差同伴交往的影响路径中发挥显著中介作用；（3）年龄不仅在不良童年经历与相对剥夺感的关联中起到调节作用，同时也在不良童年经历通过相对剥夺感影响偏差同伴交往的间接路径中存在调节效应。具体而言，相较于青春晚期，青春早期个体中不良童年经历通过相对剥夺感影响偏差同伴交往的间接效应更强。
研究结论：整体而言，早期不良童年经历对违法青少年的偏差同伴交往具有重要影响，相对剥夺感亦是关键中介变量。本研究结果凸显了针对早期经历过不良童年经历的违法青少年开展认知干预的重要性，该干预思路可为青少年违法犯罪的预防工作提供有益指导。