Cumulative exposure to stressful life events and male gang membership

Abstract

Abstract

In this article, the authors examine risk factors that predict gang membership among a cohort of South Florida boys. Using both prospective and retrospective data, the authors evaluated the role of early exposure to stressful life events in predicting joining a gang, controlling for other risk factors. The analysis revealed that while cumulative preteen stress exposure was not found to be a significant predictor of gang membership, the association between such exposure and the dependent variable might be mediated through other factors. A subsequent analysis of associations with gang members/gang-like behavior revealed a similar pattern—race, family financial problems, and preteen cumulative exposure to stressful life events were each found to predict association/behavior and involvement with gangs.

Department

Sociology

Publication Date

3-2004

Journal Title

Journal of Criminal Justice

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2003.12.001

Document Type

Article

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