The Influence of School-Level Factors on Adolescent Gang Involvement

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Community and University Issues in Urban Settings

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of gang activity and the large number of adolescents involved in gangs, little is known about the educational factors that contribute to gang involvement. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether adolescents who feel connected to their school are more or less likely to be involved in gangs. The relationship between students’ school connectedness, teacher/staff support, and students’ gang membership was examined using a two-predictor logistic regression model. The model indicated that the higher the rate of student developmental support and school connectedness, the less likely a student is to identify as a gang member. This paper contributes to the literature on youth gang involvement by examining school-based risk factors for gang membership.

Author

• Cynthia Valencia, University of California - Berkeley