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Gang involvement, mental health difficulties and exposure to violence in 11-16-year-old school students.

Naldrett, Georgia, Wood, Jane L. (2021) Gang involvement, mental health difficulties and exposure to violence in 11-16-year-old school students. Adolescent Psychiatry, 10 (4). pp. 244-255. ISSN 2210-6766. E-ISSN 2210-6774. (doi:10.2174/2210676610999201229141153) (KAR id:86740)

Abstract

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 individuals’ exposure to violence within this relationship. 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 non-gang comparison group. 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. Discussion focuses on the need for researchers, practitioners and policy makers 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.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.2174/2210676610999201229141153
Uncontrolled keywords: Gangs, anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim and perpetrator trauma
Depositing User: Jane Wood
Date Deposited: 23 Feb 2021 14:16 UTC
Last Modified: 22 Feb 2022 00:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/86740 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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