Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Criminology

Major Professor

George Burruss, Ph.D.

Committee Member

John Cochran, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Shelly Wagers, Ph.D.

Keywords

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cybercrime, Hacking, Revenge, Motivation

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cybercriminal behavior among 238 active hackers with verified website defacements identified through the Zone-H archive. Drawing upon General Strain Theory, this research investigates whether childhood trauma influences both the developmental timing and motivational aspects of hacking activities. Using ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression analyses with country-clustered standard errors, the study tested two hypotheses: (1) that higher ACE scores would be associated with earlier onset of hacking behavior, and (2) that higher ACE scores would predict increased likelihood of engaging in revenge-motivated hacking. Results revealed a complex relationship that challenges established criminological patterns. Contrary to expectations based on traditional crime research, ACE scores showed no significant relationship with age of first hack (β = 0.150, p = 0.303), suggesting that childhood trauma does not accelerate entry into cybercrime as it does with conventional criminal behavior. However, the second hypothesis received strong support, with ACE scores demonstrating a robust positive relationship with revenge-motivated hacking (β = 0.181, p < 0.001) that persisted even after controlling for country-level clustering across 45 nations. These contrasting findings indicate that adverse childhood experiences shape the emotional and motivational dimensions of cybercrime rather than its developmental timing. While ACEs do not predict when individuals begin hacking, they significantly influence how they engage in such activities, with trauma-exposed individuals showing greater propensity for revenge-oriented attacks. This pattern suggests fundamental differences between cybercrime and traditional crime pathways, highlighting the need for trauma-informed approaches to cybersecurity that address the psychological drivers of malicious hacking alongside technical vulnerabilities. The results contribute to emerging literature on the human factors in cybersecurity while extending strain theory to digital deviance contexts.

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