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Individual, Familial, and Socio-Environmental Risk Factors of Gang Membership in a Community Sample of Adolescents in Southern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Dario Bacchini

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80133 Napoli, Italy)

  • Mirella Dragone

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80133 Napoli, Italy)

  • Concetta Esposito

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80133 Napoli, Italy)

  • Gaetana Affuso

    (Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

Abstract

Despite the growing social alarm generated by the recurrent news concerning violent episodes involving youth gangs, systematic research in Italy in this field, especially within a psychological framework, is still limited. Following a social-ecological approach, the present study aimed at investigating the role of self-serving cognitive distortions (CDs), parental rejection, and community violence witnessing in youth gang membership (YGM). Furthermore, we examined the mediating and/or moderating role of YGM in the association between risk factors and involvement in antisocial behaviors (ASBs). A community sample of 817 adolescents attending middle and high schools in a high-risk urban area in Southern Italy (46.9% males; 53% middle school students; M age = 14.67; SD = 1.65) were involved in the study. One hundred and fifty-seven participants (19.2%) were found to be gang members. Employing counterfactual-based mediation analysis, we found that CDs and community violence witnessing were directly associated with YGM and ASBs. The association between CDs and ASBs was mediated by YGM. Parental rejection was directly related to ASBs but not to YGM. A significant interaction effect between parental rejection and YGM was found, revealing that high levels of parental rejection, along with being a gang member, amplified the involvement in ASBs. These findings pointed out that distorted moral cognitions and the experience of violence witnessing within the community may represent a fertile ground for gang involvement. Both individual and contextual factors should be considered in order to implement interventions aimed to prevent adolescents’ risk of joining a gang.

Suggested Citation

  • Dario Bacchini & Mirella Dragone & Concetta Esposito & Gaetana Affuso, 2020. "Individual, Familial, and Socio-Environmental Risk Factors of Gang Membership in a Community Sample of Adolescents in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8791-:d:451785
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eitle, David & Gunkel, Steven & Van Gundy, Karen, 2004. "Cumulative exposure to stressful life events and male gang membership," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 95-111.
    2. Voisin, Dexter R. & King, Kelly M. & Diclemente, Ralph J. & Carry, Monique, 2014. "Correlates of gang involvement and health-related factors among African American females with a detention history," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 120-125.
    3. Gilman, A.B. & Hill, K.G. & Hawkins, J.D., 2014. "Long-Term consequences of adolescent gang membership for adult functioning," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(5), pages 938-945.
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