Brief report: Do delinquency and community violence exposure explain internalizing problems in early adolescent gang members?
- 31 October 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Adolescence
- Vol. 34 (5), 1093-1096
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.06.003
Abstract
Adolescent gang members are at higher risk for internalizing problems as well as exposure to community violence and delinquency. This study examined whether gang membership in early adolescence is associated with internalizing problems (depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior) and whether these associations are mediated by delinquency and witnessing community violence. In a sample of 589 ethnically diverse early adolescents, gang membership was related to suicidal behavior but not depression or anxiety. Both delinquency and witnessing community violence mediated this association. Professionals working with gang members should assess these youth for suicidal behavior and provide interventions as needed.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Institutes of Health (K01DA024700)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (R49‐CCR418569)
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