Abstract
PurposeThis study aims to directly compare risk and protective factors of male and female gang-involved youth.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the 2022 Arizona Youth Survey data. Gang-involved boys and girls are compared through multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between risk and protective factors and youth gang membership.FindingsMultivariate analyses reveal significant differences in risk and protective factors between gang-involved boys and girls in connection with family conflict.Practical implicationsThere is a need for semi-specialized prevention and intervention programming for male and female gang youth. Gang programs should emphasize addressing issues with family and home life more for girls than for boys. School-based gang programs need to similarly emphasize educational commitment and positive peer influence for both gang-involved boys and girls. Improving positive neighborhood attachment through community programming will be beneficial for reducing the likelihood of gang involvement for both girls and boys.Originality/valueThere is a need to improve comprehension of the similarities and differences among male and female gang youth. Few studies directly compare the two groups, and by focusing on risk/protective factors, the results can help to provide direct applications to existing intervention and prevention programming.
Published Version
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