Examining cumulative adverse and positive childhood experiences as determinants of youth violence: Analyses of data from the millennium cohort study

Abstract This study investigates the role of cumulative adverse and positive childhood experiences (ACEs and PCEs) in the development of youth violence using longitudinal data from the UK millennium cohort study (N = 18,282). Findings show a strong association between higher ACE exposure and increased likelihood of assault, weapon involvement, and gang affiliation in adolescence. Conversely, greater exposure to PCEs is associated with reduced youth violence, with evidence that PCEs attenuate the harmful association between ACEs and violence. This study contributes UK-based evidence and highlights the need for early, multi-domain interventions. Targeting both familial risks and extra-familial protective factors could significantly reduce youth violence and potentially improve broader developmental outcomes across adolescence and beyond.