Delinquent Gangs and Adolescent Victimization Revisited: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

• NCJ Number: 227923
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 36 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 808-823
• Author(s): Matt Delisi; J. C. Barnes; Kevin M. Beaver; Chris L. Gibson
• Date Published: August 2009
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): P01-HD31921
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study employed propensity score matching to evaluate the effects of gang membership on victimization using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

Abstract

Supporting the selection model, results of the study found that the most antisocial youths and those with more delinquency victimization were more likely to join gangs. In support of the enhancement model, results indicate that after controlling for selection effects using propensity score matching (PSM), gang membership maintained a significant predictive relationship with victimization measured contemporaneously and longitudinally. Membership in a gang increases youths' chances of being victimized above and beyond personal characteristics, and the deleterious gang effect does not weaken over time. One of the most robust correlates of juvenile delinquency and victimization is involvement in gangs. Adolescents in delinquent gangs are at risk for multiple forms of antisocial behavior and related negative outcomes, including victimization. This study used PSM to evaluate the effects of gang membership on victimization at two points using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health; a longitudinal and nationally representative sample of American youth. Tables, figures, appendix, and references