Long-Term Consequences of Adolescent Gang Membership for Adult Functioning

Bibliographic Data

ID11024907
AuthorsAmanda B Gilman (0000-0003-1198-8475, The authors are with the Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle.), Karl G Hill, Sheryl A Hemphill (0000-0001-8342-1561, The authors are with the Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle.), J David Hawkins (The authors are with the Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle.)
Year2014
Volume104
Issue5
Pages938-945
Publication date2014-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2013.301821
PMID24625155
PMCIDPMC3987584
OpenAlexW1975659580
LanguageEN
Citations received41
References cited43

Objectives. We examined the possible public health consequences of adolescent gang membership for adult functioning. Methods. Data were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study focusing on the development of positive and problem outcomes. Using propensity score matching and logistic regression analyses, we assessed the effects of adolescent gang membership on illegal behavior, educational and occupational attainment, and physical and mental health at the ages of 27, 30, and 33 years. Results. In comparison with their nongang peers, who had been matched on 23 confounding risk variables known to be related to selection into gang membership, those who had joined a gang in adolescence had poorer outcomes in multiple areas of adult functioning, including higher rates of self-reported crime, receipt of illegal income, incarceration, drug abuse or dependence, poor general health, and welfare receipt and lower rates of high school graduation. Conclusions. The finding that adolescent gang membership has significant consequences in adulthood beyond criminal behavior indicates the public health importance of the development of effective gang prevention programs

Confounding · Educational attainment · Environmental health · Graduation (instrument) · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Propensity score matching · Psychiatry · Public health · Receipt · Suicide prevention · Welfare · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

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