Financial Instability in Young Adulthood as a Consequence of Youth Gang Membership

• In Event: Criminogenic Factors Impacting Financial Outcomes in Early Adulthood: Findings from the Long-Term Follow-Up of G.R.E.A.T.

Abstract

Objective: Researchers have often drawn on life course perspectives to understand gang membership, including when seeking to understand the long-term consequences of youth gang involvement. Research in this area typically finds that adolescent gang membership leads to several negative adult outcomes including crime, incarceration, poor health, lower graduation rates, as well as poor financial outcomes. Adolescent gang membership is connected to being a recipient of welfare as well as relying on illegal income. This body of work has relied upon self-reported finances in adulthood. Methods: In this study we will add to the literature on long-term financial outcomes among former gang members by exploring credit records of individuals involved in the G.R.E.A.T. evaluation. While controlling for selection effects, we will explore the differences in financial outcomes for those who reported gang involvement in the G.R.E.A.T. evaluation (n = 512) and their non-gang counterparts. Implications will be made for gang intervention strategies.

Authors

• Chris Melde, Michigan State University

• Dena Carson, Indiana University Indianapolis

• Steven Chermak, Michigan State University

• Steven Wu-Chaves, Michigan State University