This study examines the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the risk of internalizing or externalizing outcomes among juveniles. While myriad research has investigated the impacts of ACEs on internalizing and externalizing outcomes, it is unclear whether ACEs have a stronger link to one outcome over the other when controlling for other factors. Using a sample of 30,909 youth who exclusively exhibited internalizing ( n = 1,030) or externalizing problems ( n = 29,879), regression techniques and propensity score matching were utilized to evaluate the impact of each ACE on the risk of internalizing versus externalizing outcomes. Results indicate that the most pertinent factor for predicting externalized problems is emotional abuse. Household member incarceration, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and household violence or substance abuse also predicted externalizing outcomes. Sexual abuse was the only ACE predictive of internalizing, while physical neglect and parental mental illness did not have a correlation with either outcome.

Since the Supreme Court ruling in Miller banning mandatory juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences, many states have gone one step further and completely eliminated JLWOP sentences. However, this trend has stagnated. One potential reason is society’s “tough on crime” framework, which legislators are hesitant to deviate from. To understand public opinion on adolescent adolescent development and sentencing of youth, we surveyed residents in one state considering legislation that would ban JLWOP and similar sentences, Michigan. Most participants had sufficient understanding of adolescent development and viewed adolescents as having the capacity for change. Additionally, most participants supported alternative sentences to JLWOP, with support primarily given to sentences that were rehabilitative in nature. Our results can help policymakers better understand their constituents’ beliefs regarding adolescent sentencing, which can inform policy decisions.

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