(WITHDRAWN) Seeking a Secure Base: Gangs As Attachment Figures

Background and Purpose

Street gangs are problematic throughout the world. Youth involved with street gangs are at a higher risk for winding up seriously physically injured, dead, or incarcerated. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine (a) how the childhood experiences of former gang members shape their decision to join a gang and (b) the factors that contribute to former gang members’ decision to disengage from gang membership. This study will promote the use of attachment theory to analyze motivating/disengagement factors for gang involvement.

Methods

The voices of fourteen former gang members are heard through qualitative interviews. The participants were between the ages of 19-56. Two participants were female and twelve were male. Ten participants identified as African American and four identified as Latino/Hispanic. Sampling criteria for this study included: being 18 years of age or older, being able to speak conversational English, and being a former member of a street gang. A semi structured interview guide was prepared. All interviews were done over the telephone. The form of data analysis that was used in this study was the six steps of thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). Thematic analysis was used to identify themes.

Results

Themes were identified. In Lack of Family Consistency, all participants described having a lack of secure, consistent primary care givers/attachment figures during childhood for various reasons, including death, divorce, substance abuse, and being absent. In Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Unity: Gang as Replacement Family, most of the participants said gang members became family. They were willing to offer a bond, protection, unity, and love to one another. In the theme, “No other Option,” participants said gang members are bred as a product of growing up in their environment. Gangs are often their friends, family members, and in their neighborhood. They describe joining as having “no other option” and “accepting their fate” or “destiny.” In the theme, “Jail, Death, or Turnaround:” Making the Decision to Disengage, participants realized that they could not remain in a gang forever and decided to disengage. They realized there was no positive outcome or future in gang membership.

Conclusions and Implications

The findings are useful to help provide insight into gang prevention and intervention initiatives. There is an indication that more opportunities are needed in underserved communities. Youth need to be shown that gangs are not the only option, including structural and programmatic changes. Outreach programs can be placed in schools or churches to give youth opportunities for jobs and recreation. Programs allowing law enforcement and former gang members to speak to students to warn them about the dangers of the gangs may be helpful.

Taking these findings and looking through the perspective of attachment theory in terms of practice implications, having consistency is very important. Many have issues within the family of origin, lacking consistency, causing them to look outward. To prevent gang involvement, a counselor could be a protective factor, providing a role of the missing and needed attachment figure for those with absent primary attachment figures.