Cumulative and item-level adverse childhood experiences in relation to suicidal ideation and attempts among incarcerated Japanese youth

Research reports higher suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SAs) among offender populations than the general population. This study investigated the association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on SI and SAs among Japanese incarcerated youth. The study included 436 participants (351 boys, 85 girls) placed in four juvenile correctional institutions in Japan. Mean age was 17.09 years ( SD = 1.59) for boys and 16.76 years ( SD = 1.65) for girls, age range 12–19 years. A self-report questionnaire was administered to detained youth between September 2021 and March 2023, including only those who consented to participate. Lifetime prevalence of SI was 44.7% for girls and 19.3% for boys, while SAs were 29.4% for girls and 8.0% for boys, showing girls were significantly more likely to report both behaviors. Logistic regression analyses showed that while cumulative ACE scores were associated with both SI and SAs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.40, 95%CI = [1.21–1.62] for SA; AOR = 1.32, 95%CI = [1.17–1.49] for SI), most individual ACEs were not. Only family SAs significantly increased risk of both behaviors, while having an incarcerated family member decreased SI risk. Our findings highlight the need for trauma-informed approaches within forensic and correctional environments to enhance mental health support for affected youth offenders. The results indicate that childhood adversity is not uniformly associated with mental health issues, underscoring the importance of examining how individual ACEs relate to youth suicide prevention efforts. • First study on ACEs and suicidality among incarcerated Japanese youth, offering new insights • Girls had significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) than boys • Cumulative ACE scores raised SI and SA risk, but individual ACE items had differing effects • Family suicide history strongly predicted SI and SA risk among incarcerated youth offenders • Having an incarcerated family member was linked to lower suicidal ideation risk