Determinants of gang affiliation in Singaporean youth offenders

Social and familial factors

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12936701
AutoresChi Meng Chu (0000-0001-8538-4186, Ministry of Social and Family Development, autor correspondente), Michael Daffern (0000-0002-2834-189X, Swinburne University of Technology), Stuart Thomas (0000-0001-9471-9726, Swinburne University of Technology), Yaming Ang (Ministry of Social and Family Development), Mavis Long (Ministry of Social and Family Development), Kate O’brien (0009-0008-4398-4982), Kate M O’Brien (0000-0003-4657-0175, Monash University)
Ano2015
Volume7
Fascículo1
Páginas19-32
Data de publicação2015-01-05
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1759-6599 • E-ISSN: 2042-8715
EditoraEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/jacpr-11-2013-0031
OpenAlexW2093741770
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas42

Purpose – Gang affiliation in youth is associated with increased criminal recidivism and an exaggeration of various criminogenic needs; affiliation also meets a variety of youth's personal and social needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe a study of the self-reported reasons for joining and leaving gangs, as well as the difficulties faced by Singaporean youth offenders in leaving youth gangs; it also explores the relationship between gang affiliation and family connectedness, educational attainment and early exposure to gangs. Design/methodology/approach – This prospective study involved structured interviews and administration of questionnaires with 168 youth offenders in Singapore. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the research questions. Findings – Gang-affiliated youth cited a desire to establish and maintain friendships as their primary reasons for joining a gang. Youth who left their gang reported maturing beyond this need and the activities of their gang, particularly in light of the deleterious impact of their gang-related activities on familial relationships and employment and financial status. Early exposure to gangs through family and neighborhood influences, and poor educational engagement increased the likelihood that youth would join a gang. Practical implications – This study highlights the need for clinicians and other service providers to better understand the universal human needs that are met through gang affiliation and the correlates of affiliation. Originality/value – Few studies have directly examined the factors relating to gang affiliation in a non-western context; this study may be relevant to professionals working in the juvenile justice and offender rehabilitation arenas

Context (archaeology · Criminology · Juvenile delinquency · Originality · Recidivism · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Psychology · Social Psychology