Relative Detainment and Gang Involvement Among Arizona Youth: Variation across Racial Groups

Background and Purpose: According to the 2008 National Youth Gang Survey (NYGS), in the United States, half (50%) of all gang members are Latino, 32 percent are black, and 11 percent are white. Research has shown that population migration may be attracting youth in cities to becoming involved in gangs.

Youth are at a higher risk of joining a gang if they (a) engage in delinquent behaviors; (b) are aggressive or violent; (c) experience multiple caretaker transitions; (d) have many problems at school; (e) associate with other gang-involved youth; or (f) live in communities where they feel unsafe and where many youth are in trouble. Youth reported joining a gang for protection, fun, respect, money, and because a friend was in the gang. Less conclusive research exists on the extent relative incarceration has on youth, and more importantly, on youth gang involvement. This study explores the relationship between youth with relative(s) in jail or prison and the relationship on youth gang involvement and other risk and protective factors from a multi-racial perspective.

Methods: Data and samples: We used the 2016 Arizona Youth Survey (N=57,175). The survey is based on the Risk and Protective Factor model and the Communities That Care survey to assess youth substance use, gang involvement, other risky behaviors and protective factors. This study used statewide, large-scale 2016 Arizona Youth Survey Data with 57,170 participants, and propensity score matching methods to balance the samples and account for selection bias. Matched data were then used to run a series of regression models to examine whether youth having a relative who has/is served(ing) time in jail or prison (IV) on youth gang involvement (DV).

Results: The model shows that students who have a relative(s) in jail or prison are more likely to be involved in a gang than students who do not have a relative in jail or prison. Significant risk factors across racial groups include being seen as cool in a gang, having a best friend in a gang and negative peer interactions.

Conclusions and Implications: This study has strong implications for both practice and policy development. Findings from this study can contribute to design and develop preventative interventions for youth who have relatives in jail or prison to divert them from joining a gang. This study can also provide rich information to judiciary decision-makers and policy makers when determining jail or prison sentences for parents of youth. There is room for exploration in community alternatives for parental offenders to maintain a healthy home.