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Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Gang Involvement among Urban African American Adolescents

West Virginia University

BONITA STANTON

Wayne State University School of Medicine

ROBERT PACK

West Virginia University School of Medicine

CAROLE HARRIS

West Virginia University School of Medicine

LESLEY COTTRELL

West Virginia University School of Medicine

JAMES BURNS

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Data from 349 urban African American youth were analyzed to explore whether the differences in exposure to violence, resilience, and distress symptoms between gang members and nonmembers resulted from the risk behaviors in which youth participated or from the gang membership itself. Youth with current or past gang membership documented higher levels of risk involvement, lower levels of resilience, higher exposure to violence, and higher distress symptoms. These associations persisted even after controlling for age, gender, or risk involvement. This study provides evidence that gang membership itself may be associated with increased risk and ill-effects on psychological well-being and that strong family involvement and resiliency protect against gang involvement.

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