Gang Involvement, Mental Health Difficulties and Exposure to Violence in 11-16-Year-Old School Students

Georgia A Naldrett,Jane L Wood

doi:10.2174/2210676610999201229141153

Abstract

Background and goals: The current study investigated the relationship between gang involvement and multiple mental health difficulties; anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim trauma and perpetrator trauma. Additionally, it examined the mediating influence of an individual’s exposure to violence within this relationship. Method: One hundred adolescents aged 11-16 years old completed two questionnaires and an interview which investigated their friendship groups, exposure to violence and mental well-being. Eighteen participants were identified as current or ex-gang members and the other eighty-two were classified as the nongang comparison group. Results: Findings show that gang members displayed more symptoms of depression and perpetrator trauma compared to non-gang members. The relationship between gang involvement and these mental health difficulties was mediated by exposure to violence. Conclusions: Discussion focuses on the need for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to acknowledge the relationship between gang involvement and mental health difficulties and implement additional strategies to support young people currently or previously involved in gangs.

Highlights

Background and goalsThe current study investigated the relationship between gang involvement and multiple mental health difficulties; anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim trauma and perpetrator trauma
Research shows that gang involvement increases the likelihood of witnessing and perpetrating violence (Quinn, Pacella, Dickinson-Gomez & Nydegger, 2017), and of being violently victimized (Melde, Taylor & Esbensen, 2009)
Estimates regarding gang involvement suggest that there are 30,000 gangs, and 75,000 gang members in the United States (Egley & Howell, 2012) and in the UK, gang activity is sufficiently widespread for the Government to have increased Ending Gang and Youth Violence priority areas from 32 in 2012 to 52 in 2016

Summary

Introduction

The current study investigated the relationship between gang involvement and multiple mental health difficulties; anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim trauma and perpetrator trauma. It examined the mediating influence of an individual’s exposure to violence within this relationship. Method One hundred adolescents aged 11-16 years old, completed two questionnaires and an interview which investigated their friendship groups, exposure to violence and mental wellbeing. Eighteen participants were identified as current or ex-gang members and the other eighty-two were classified as the non-gang comparison group

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion