Older children who have been abused may engage in substance abuse, running away, or abusing others.
Is it true that older children who have been abused may engage in substance abuse, running away, or abusing others?
Yes. Extensive empirical literature supports the finding that older children and adolescents who have experienced abuse or severe adversity are at a significantly higher risk of engaging in problematic behaviors such as substance abuse, running away, or perpetrating interpersonal violence.
Verdict: SUPPORTED · 5 sources for, 0 against · Last checked
The claim connects childhood abuse to three specific adverse behavioral outcomes: substance abuse, running away, and abusing others (interpersonal violence). Multiple papers in the provided set directly support these links. Paper 1 connects family dysfunction and bullying/victimization to running away. Papers 3, 5, and 6 link abuse and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to adolescent substance use. Paper 9 connects ACEs to both substance use and interpersonal (dating/sexual) violence. No papers refute these relationships; therefore, the verdict is SUPPORTED.
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Radu, M. B. (2019). Bridging Families and Schools to Prevent Youth from Running Away From Home. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2019.737
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CR, M., PT, V., B, C., C, L., & SA, S. (2026). Individual Contributions of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Adolescent Substance Use.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2026.2679709
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MP, Y., X, W., & SA, V. (2026). Adverse Childhood Experiences and Substance Use: The Mediating Role of Executive Function Deficits.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.70192
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Z, Z., Y, L., Y, G., J, A., & H, Z. (2026). Childhood Family Violence and Tobacco, E-Cigarette, and Alcohol Use Among Adolescents: A Large School-Based Study in China.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131814
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JR, T., E, B., L, W., & L, T. (2026). Childhood Adversity and Health in Emerging Adulthood.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.35834
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