Childhood adversities and post-military-service incarceration in a male UK Armed Forces Veteran sample from Northern Ireland

Abstract

Introduction: Exposure to childhood adversity confers increased risk for a range of adverse outcomes, including involvement with the criminal justice system. Military Veterans are known to experience a disproportionate rate of adversities compared with the general population. Few studies have investigated the relationship between childhood adversities and post-military-service incarceration among Veterans. Methods: This study examined patterns of early adversity in a Veteran sample (N = 695) from Northern Ireland using latent class analysis. Logistic regression analysis was then used to investigate associations between various socio-demographic covariates and latent class membership as predictors of post-military-service incarceration. Results: Four classes were identified: a baseline class, a chaotic home class, a physical and psychological abuse class, and a multi-adversity class. Regression analysis identified that the multi-adversity class was associated with significantly increased odds of post-military-service incarceration (odds ratio = 4.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-11.50, p < 0.01) when controlling for both age and alcohol use. Discussion: Interventions designed to aid adaptation and integration of Veterans into civilian life should be trauma informed, and interventions for individuals with a history of multi-adversity exposure should be considered in that context.