Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to later disadvantage, yet comparative evidence on education and employment during emerging adulthood remains limited.
Methods: This study uses the Taiwan Youth Project and the U.S. Transition into Adulthood Supplement to examine household dysfunction, maltreatment, and cumulative ACEs. Outcomes include bachelor’s degree attainment, employment (with and without benefits), unemployment, and instability in education or employment. Results—United States: Maltreatment exhibits stronger and more consistent associations with adverse outcomes than household dysfunction. Emerging adults with maltreatment histories are less likely to be employed (with or without benefits), less likely to attain a bachelor’s degree, and more likely to be unemployed. Higher levels of household dysfunction, maltreatment, and cumulative ACEs show clear dose–response patterns with progressively worse outcomes. Results—Taiwan: Running away from home is linked to instability in education or employment. Cumulative ACEs are associated with graduating with debt and with instability in education or employment. Several associations are attenuated after accounting for financial pressure, but meaningful effects remain. Conclusion: Across two national contexts, specific adverse experiences—especially maltreatment—are consequential for disadvantaged education and work trajectories in emerging adulthood. The findings underscore the need for trauma-informed, developmentally targeted supports that address financial strain and promote educational persistence and stable employment during the transition to adulthood.

Authors:
Wei-Lin Chen, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Wei-Lin Chen is an associate professor in the Center for Teacher Education at National Sun Yat-sen University. His current projects focus on adverse experiences and disadvantaged conditions occurring within family or educational settings.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

Bookmark