Youth gang affiliation, violence, and criminal activities: A review of motivational, risk, and protective factors

Abstract Youth gangs are a universal phenomenon attracting increasing attention; the criminal and antisocial behavior perpetuated by youth gangs has an adverse impact on local communities across the globe. Although there is an extensive body of research that has examined the problems posed by youth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aggression and violent behavior 2013-07, Vol.18 (4), p.417-425
Main Authors: O’Brien, Kate, Daffern, Michael, Chu, Chi Meng, Thomas, Stuart D.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Criminology
Desistance
Gangs
Juvenile delinquency
Medical sciences
Motivation
Offenders
Protective factors
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Recidivism
Risk
Risk factors
Social behavior disorders. Criminal behavior. Delinquency
Violence
Young people
Youth
Youth gangs
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Summary:Abstract Youth gangs are a universal phenomenon attracting increasing attention; the criminal and antisocial behavior perpetuated by youth gangs has an adverse impact on local communities across the globe. Although there is an extensive body of research that has examined the problems posed by youth gangs in America (and more recently in other countries), there have been relatively fewer empirical studies that examined the factors and psychological processes that are related to youth joining and leaving gangs. This review compiles the international research on the nature of youth gangs and critically evaluates: (a) the factors that motivate engagement in and desistance from gang-related activities, (b) risk and protective factors that impact on youths' propensity for gang membership, delinquency, and violent behavior, and the adverse consequences associated with gang affiliation, and (c) the relationship between gang-affiliation, youth violence, and criminal behavior.
ISSN:1359-1789
1873-6335
DOI:10.1016/j.avb.2013.05.001