Gang Involvement, Mental Health Difficulties and Exposure to Violence in 11-16-Year-Old School Students

IF 0.4 Q4 PEDIATRICS

Adolescent Psychiatry Pub Date : 2021-02-22 DOI:10.2174/2210676610999201229141153

Georgia A. Naldrett, Jane L. Wood

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The current study investigated the relationship between gang involvement and multiple mental health difficulties; anxiety, depression, paranoia, victim trauma and perpetrator trauma. Additionally, it examined the mediating influence of an individuals’ exposure to violence within this relationship. One hundred adolescents aged 11-16 years old, completed two questionnaires and an interview which investigated their friendship groups, exposure to violence and mental well-being. Eighteen participants were identified as current or ex-gang members and the other eighty-two were classified as the non-gang comparison group. Findings show that gang members displayed more symptoms of depression and perpetrator trauma compared to non-gang members. The relationship between gang involvement and these mental health difficulties was mediated by exposure to violence. Discussion focuses on the need for researchers, practitioners and policy makers to acknowledge the relationship between gang involvement and mental health difficulties and implement additional strategies to support young people currently or previously involved in gangs.

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11-16岁中学生帮派参与、心理健康困难与暴力暴露

目前的研究调查了帮派参与与多种心理健康困难之间的关系；焦虑、抑郁、偏执、受害者创伤和施暴者创伤。此外，它还考察了个人在这种关系中暴露于暴力的中介影响。100名11-16岁的青少年完成了两份问卷和一次访谈，调查了他们的友谊群体、暴力暴露和心理健康状况。18名参与者被确定为现任或前任帮派成员，另外82人被归类为非帮派对照组。调查结果显示，与非帮派成员相比，帮派成员表现出更多的抑郁和犯罪者创伤症状。帮派参与与这些心理健康问题之间的关系是通过接触暴力来调节的。讨论的重点是研究人员、从业者和政策制定者需要认识到帮派参与与心理健康困难之间的关系，并实施额外的战略来支持目前或以前参与帮派的年轻人。

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来源期刊

Adolescent Psychiatry PEDIATRICS-

CiteScore

0.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Adolescent Psychiatry a peer-reviewed journal, aims to provide mental health professionals who work with adolescents with current information relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Adolescent Psychiatry reports of original research, critical reviews of topics relevant to practitioners, clinical observations with analysis and discussion, analysis of philosophical, ethical or social aspects of the fields of psychiatry and mental health, case reports with discussions, letters, and position papers. Topics include adolescent development and developmental psychopathology, psychotherapy and other psychosocial treatment approaches, psychopharmacology, and service settings and programs. The primary focus of the work should be on adolescents, transition-aged youth, The primary focus of the work should be on adolescents, transition-aged youth, or emerging adults, that is, persons 12-24 years of age . Articles on families of adolescents, or adults who have been followed since adolescence will also be considered.