Citation

Herrmann DS, Jeffries McWhirter J, Sipsas-Herrmann A. Behav. Sci. Law 1997; 15(2): 181-194.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/(SICI)1099-0798(199721)15:2<181::AID-BSL268>3.0.CO;2-O

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this investigation we assessed 427 youths from an area with considerable gang activity to determine the way in which self-concept is related to gang involvement, and to assess how gang involvement fluctuates as a function of gender and grade level. Product moment correlations revealed a significant negative association between gang involvement and the self-concept dimensions of competence, affect, academic, family, and global; however, only the relationship with competence self-concept remained significant after adjusting for alpha inflation. Discriminant analysis revealed a significant predictive relationship between self-concept and classifi-cation into high or low gang-involved groups. Males were found to be significantly more gang involved than females, but no differences were found by grade level (although a significant gender by grade interaction was present). Implications for field-based prevention/intervention efforts and court referred diversion programs are discussed. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en