Associations of ACEs with Bully Perpetration among Chinese Kindergarten Children: A Large-scale Sample Study

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) significantly affect physical and mental development and may increase aggression. However, evidence linking ACEs to bullying behaviors in kindergarten-aged children remains limited, particularly regarding predictors of bullying frequency and severity. Using zero-inflated negative binomial regression, we analyzed parent-reported bullying incidents among 92,516 children in a major Southern China city. Models examined (1) cumulative ACE exposure (0, 1, 2, ≥3) and (2) specific ACE subtypes, controlling for demographics and prior victimization. Children with ≥3 ACEs exhibited significantly higher bullying frequency compared to ACE-free peers. Parental incarceration was the strongest predictor of bullying severity, followed by household substance abuse. Male gender, only-child status, and prior victimization were significant predictors of bullying occurrence and frequency. Both cumulative ACE exposure and specific types—particularly parental incarceration and substance abuse—increase the risk of bullying behaviors in early childhood. These findings highlight the importance of trauma-informed interventions for high-risk children identified through ACE screening.