Childhood Risk factors for Adolescent Gang Membership: Results From the Seattle Social Development Project

• NCJ Number: 178429
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: August 1999 Pages: 300-322
• Author(s): Karl G. Hill; James C. Howell; J. David Hawkins; Sara R. Battin-Pearson
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 22 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2158: 1R01DA09679
• Sponsoring Agency: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP); National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Longitudinal data from the Seattle Social Development Project were used to predict gang membership in adolescence from factors measured in childhood.

Abstract

The sample of 808 individuals was ethnically diverse and gender balanced. The participants were followed prospectively from age 10 to age 18 years. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors at ages 10-12 that were predictive of joining a gang between ages 13 and 18 years. Neighborhood, family, school, peer, and individual factors significantly predicted joining a gang in adolescence. In addition, youths who were exposed to multiple factors were much more likely than other youths to join a gang. Findings made clear that gang prevention efforts should not wait until adolescence. Preventive interventions in the elementary grades could have a significant impact on adolescent gang membership. Findings also highlighted the importance of multiple-component prevention strategies that address risks across several domains. Tables, note, appended list of measures of predictors of gang membership, and 63 references (Author abstract modified)