Poster #96 - PTSD, Psychopathic Traits, and Gang Involvement: Pathways Among Justice-Involved Youth

• In Event: Poster Session II (posters 80 – 155)

Abstract

Introduction: Incarcerated youth often come from backgrounds marked by hardship, and as such, often struggle with high rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and conduct disorders. These individuals are often exposed to abuse, neglect, or violence, which can lead to the presence of psychopathic traits such as callous-unemotional, lack of empathy, impulsivity, and difficulty forming trust. The disruption in normal emotional development and the emergence of psychopathic traits can increase the likelihood of gang involvement among justice-involved youth. This study argues cumulative trauma increases and strengthens the development of psychopathic traits, and in turn, increases gang involvement among justice-involved youth.

Research Design/ Methodology: This study draws on data from the Pathways to Desistance study, which examines the transition of serious adolescent offenders to adulthood and out of crime. We adopted generalized structural equation modeling to examine the research questions.

Major Findings: While PTSD had no direct effect on gang membership, it was indirectly associated with gang membership, specifically through impulsive-irresponsible traits, whereas grandiose-manipulative and callous-unemotional traits did not act as significant mediators.

Summary: Despite the growing recognition of cumulative trauma’s impact on youth development, research has only recently begun to consider how cumulative trauma interacts with long-term behavioral development in justice-system-involved populations.

Authors

• Rachel Elizabeth Post, University of Alabama

• Jihoon Kim, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa