NCJ Number
147298
Date Published
1986
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This study examined social and economic factors, family dynamics, and personal lifestyle tendencies of 25 male street-gang members and 25 nongang members between the ages of 14 and 21 who resided in west and central Long Beach, California.
Abstract
A 70-item self-administered questionnaire was completed by all gang and nongang subjects. The questionnaire consisted of demographic, family, economic, social, and education items. Tests were administered by a psychology graduate student in youth center facilities. Spearman correlation coefficients were computed for questionnaire variables compared to gang-membership status. Gang members were apparently involved in more illegal activity of a more violent nature at an earlier age than nongang youths. Although the subjects resided in the same neighborhoods, 52 percent of the families of gang members received government assistance compared to 4 percent of the families of nongang members. Seventy-six percent of gang members compared to 24 percent of nongang members smoked marijuana regularly; however, 40 percent of gang members compared to 68 percent of nongang members consumed alcohol. In this study, family instability factors, neglect, and abuse did not prove to be significant factors in gang membership. The factors that distinguish gang members from nongang members can be incorporated into a screening assessment program for preadolescent and adolescents who reside in areas of high gang activity. Appended questionnaire and a 35-item bibliography