Cumulative Trauma and Aggression Among Youth in Secure Residential Settings

Abstract

This study examined the association between cumulative trauma exposures and physical aggression among youth in secure residential facilities in Colorado. Using a nonexperimental, quantitative design, administrative data from 1,001 youth (ages 13–20) were analyzed to identify trauma exposure profiles and assess their relationship with aggressive behavior. Grounded in General Strain Theory (GST), Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model, and Critical Race Theory (CRT), trauma exposures were measured with the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index–Version 5 and incidents of physical aggression were obtained from incident reports. Latent class analysis identified four distinct trauma profiles: (a) polyvictimization across community, interpersonal, and family domains; (b) polyvictimization in interpersonal and family domains; (c) high exposure to community violence and separation; and (d) lower trauma exposure. Logistic regression analyses indicated latent class membership was not significantly associated with physical aggression. Younger youths and Black youths had significantly higher odds of physical aggression. Consistent with CRT, the latter finding indicates the importance of examining how racialized trauma, structural racism, and systemic inequities contribute to patterns of aggressive behavior in secure residential settings.