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Street Gang Intervention: Review and Good Lives Extension

Mallion, Jaimee, Wood, Jane L. (2020) Street Gang Intervention: Review and Good Lives Extension. Social Sciences, 9 (9). Article Number 160. ISSN 2076-0760. (doi:10.3390/socsci9090160) (KAR id:84104)

Abstract

Tackling street gangs has recently been highlighted as a priority for public health. In this paper, the four components of a public health approach were reviewed: (1) surveillance, (2) identifying risk and protective factors, (3) developing and evaluating interventions at primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary intervention stages, and (4) implementation of evidence-based programs. Findings regarding the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs for street gang members were mixed, with unclear goals/objectives, limited theoretical foundation, and a lack of consistency in program implementation impeding effectiveness at reducing street gang involvement. This paper proposes that the Good Lives Model (GLM), a strengths-based framework for offender rehabilitation, provides an innovative approach to street gang intervention. Utilizing approach-goals, the GLM assumes that improving an individual’s internal skills and external opportunities will reduce the need to become involved in street gangs. Wrapping the GLM framework around current evidence-based interventions (e.g., Functional Family Therapy) increases client engagement and motivation to change, which is notably poor amongst those at risk of, or involved in, street gangs.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3390/socsci9090160
Uncontrolled keywords: street gangs; public health; Good Lives Model; intervention; prevention
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Jane Wood
Date Deposited: 12 Nov 2020 13:38 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 03:31 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/84104 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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