Abstract
Background and Goals: The current study investigated the relationship between gang involvement and multiple mental health difficulties; anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim trauma and perpetrator trauma. Additionally, it examined the mediating influence of an individual’s exposure to violence within this relationship.
Method: One hundred adolescents aged 11-16 years old completed two questionnaires and an interview which investigated their friendship groups, exposure to violence and mental well-being. Eighteen participants were identified as current or ex-gang members and the other eighty-two were classified as the nongang comparison group. Results: Findings show that gang members displayed more symptoms of depression and perpetrator trauma compared to non-gang members. The relationship between gang involvement and these mental health difficulties was mediated by exposure to violence. Conclusion: Discussion focuses on the need for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to acknowledge the relationship between gang involvement and mental health difficulties and implement additional strategies to support young people currently or previously involved in gangs.Keywords: Gangs, anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim and perpetrator trauma, mental-illness.
Adolescent Psychiatry
Title:Gang Involvement, Mental Health Difficulties and Exposure to Violence in 11-16-Year-Old School Students
Volume: 10 Issue: 4
Author(s): Georgia A. Naldrett and Jane L Wood*
Affiliation:
- Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (CORE-FP), School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NP,United Kingdom
Keywords: Gangs, anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim and perpetrator trauma, mental-illness.
Abstract: Background and Goals: The current study investigated the relationship between gang involvement and multiple mental health difficulties; anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim trauma and perpetrator trauma. Additionally, it examined the mediating influence of an individual’s exposure to violence within this relationship.
Method: One hundred adolescents aged 11-16 years old completed two questionnaires and an interview which investigated their friendship groups, exposure to violence and mental well-being. Eighteen participants were identified as current or ex-gang members and the other eighty-two were classified as the nongang comparison group. Results: Findings show that gang members displayed more symptoms of depression and perpetrator trauma compared to non-gang members. The relationship between gang involvement and these mental health difficulties was mediated by exposure to violence. Conclusion: Discussion focuses on the need for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to acknowledge the relationship between gang involvement and mental health difficulties and implement additional strategies to support young people currently or previously involved in gangs.Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Naldrett A. Georgia and Wood L Jane *, Gang Involvement, Mental Health Difficulties and Exposure to Violence in 11-16-Year-Old School Students, Adolescent Psychiatry 2020; 10 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2210676610999201229141153
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2210676610999201229141153 |
Print ISSN 2210-6766 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2210-6774 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
SUBJECT INDEX
Current Neuropharmacology Glucocorticoids Pharmacology: Past, Present and Future
Current Pharmaceutical Design Type 2 Diabetes and Risk for Functional Decline and Disability in Older Persons
Current Diabetes Reviews Integrating Behavioral Health into a Transplantation Service-One Institution's Approach
Current Psychiatry Reviews Discovery of New Small Molecules and Targets Towards Angiogenesis Via Chemical Genomics Approach
Current Drug Targets Stem Cell Therapy for Myelin Diseases
Current Drug Targets Nocturia in Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome: An Underappreciated Symptom
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Advances in Immunotherapy of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia CML
Current Cancer Drug Targets Freud Meets Bill W: A Model for the Dynamics of Alcoholics Anonymous
Adolescent Psychiatry Cell-Replacement Therapy with Stem Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Neurovascular Research Peripheral Neuropathy Induced by Paclitaxel: Recent Insights and Future Perspectives
Current Neuropharmacology Monoamine Involvement in the Antidepressant-Like Effect of β-Caryophyllene
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Intramolecular Cyclization of Aryl Propargyl Ethers: A Straightforward and Convenient Approach to Benzofuran Derivatives
Current Organic Synthesis Trait vs. State Markers for Schizophrenia: Identification and Characterization Through Visual Processes
Current Psychiatry Reviews Dendrites, 3<sup>rd</sup> Edition
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Recent Developments in the Medicinal Chemistry and Therapeutic Potential of Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH) Inhibitors
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Genetic Enhancement in Sport: Just Another Form of Doping?
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Aneuploidy-Inducing Mutations in Mitotic Checkpoint Protein hMad1-Carboxi Terminal Domain Analyzed by SAR and Computational Mutagenesis
Current Proteomics Editorial [Hot topic: Sigma1 and Sigma 2 Receptors (Guest Editor: Richard A. Glennon)]
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Significance of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Research in Current Medical Practice
Current Drug Metabolism