NCJ Number
147293
Date Published
1990
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the relationship between family support and gang involvement among 30 Hispanic youths between 12 and 18 years of age selected from the southeast area of Los Angeles County.
Abstract
Gang involvement was divided into various levels based on self-identification as a gang member, police identification, number of family members affiliated with gangs, and number of close friends who were gang members. The sample was part of Project JADE (Juvenile Assistance Diversion Effort), a community-sponsored youth diversion and delinquency prevention program. A 62-item data collection instrument was used to collect data from subject files on demographic characteristics, school attendance and performance, police records, parental affection and involvement, peer relationships, employment, and family structure. Study results revealed major differences in family support based on level of gang involvement. Significant factors included the number of close friends who were gang members, the ability to show feelings to relatives, the number of close friends that the subject's father knew, and regular church attendance. Further research is recommended to focus on the father-son relationship in gang involvement and to compare the family support system among different ethnic groups. Appendixes contain the data collection instrument and the gang involvement scale. 49 references and 8 tables