Citation

Mouttapa M, Watson DW, McCuller WJ, Sussman S, Weiss JW, Reiber C, Lewis D, Tsai W. Youth Violence Juv. Justice 2010; 8(1): 71-82.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1541204009339008

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This preliminary study examined whether anger and identification with the "gang member" peer group are associated with heavy alcohol use. Participants were 91 (53.8% male) juvenile offenders in four juvenile probation camps in Southern California who completed a self-report survey. More than half (53.4%) indicated that they best fit in with the "gang member" peer group. In a multivariate model, identification with the "gang member" peer group was associated with heavy alcohol use during the past 30 days prior to their incarceration. Identification with peer groups other than gang members may prevent juvenile offenders from engaging in heavy alcohol use.