Predictors of Gang Affiliation Among Adolescents

65 Pages·2016·1.1 MB·English

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Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations Office of Graduate Studies
6-2016
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Caroline G. McLoughlin
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McLoughlin, Caroline G., "Predictors of Gang Affiliation Among Adolescents: Implications for Social Work
Students" (2016). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 286.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/286
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PREDICTORS OF GANG AFFILIATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS:
IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

A Project
Presented to the
Faculty of
California State University,
San Bernardino

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Social Work

by
Caroline George McLoughlin
June 2016
PREDICTORS OF GANG AFFILIATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS:
IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

A Project
Presented to the
Faculty of
California State University,
San Bernardino

by
Caroline George McLoughlin
June 2016
Approved by:

Dr. Erica Lizano, Faculty Supervisor, Social Work

Dr. Janet Chang, MSW Research Coordinator
© 2016 Caroline George McLoughlin
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine what current Master of Social
Worker Students in their advanced year know about adolescent gang affiliation,
including statistics, predictive factors, and possible interventions. Adolescent
gang involvement is a very serious issue that historically has had very
problematic effects on society, as well as serious and troublesome effects on the
life course of the individual. Despite the knowledge that has been gained in
recent years regarding predictive factors of adolescent gang involvement, many
intervention programs designed to address this issue are still rarely effective.
Despite the fact that there are conflicting findings in the research on adolescent
gang affiliation there is also much research that has claimed many similar
predictive and preventive factors, such as relationships with family and school.
This study will show if current social worker students are aware of the more
common factors that lead to adolescent gang affiliation. This will help determine if
social work students are just getting a little bit of education on juvenile
delinquency and deviance or an abundance of education on the subject matter.
The specific population that was surveyed was the Master of Social Work
advanced year students at California State University, San Bernardino. Although
there were few statistically significant findings in the study, the students for the
most part had positive attitudes and perceptions regarding those involved with
gang affiliation. The participants for the most part also agreed with factual
statements regarding actual predictive factors of gang affiliation. The participants
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also overwhelmingly all agreed on a more rehabilitative approach when working
with youth involved in gang affiliation as opposed to punitive approaches.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have assisted and
supported me throughout the process of conducting my research. I am eternally
grateful for the constant support I was given during my time writing this thesis.
First, I would like to thank my fellow Cal State San Bernardino colleagues
who took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the study. I am so
appreciative for your time, participation, and honesty in this study.
I would also like to thank Dr. Lizano, for taking the time to guide and
support me so wonderfully throughout this study. Your passion and knowledge
has been an inspiration to me since day one and I am so thankful for the wisdom
you have shared with me. Your guidance and insight were both empowering and
motivating, and I am so thankful to have had you as a professor and an advisor.
I would also like to thank my wonderful family and friends who have been
constantly supportive and patient during my time in graduate school. I would
have not made it through this program had it not been for all of you.
Finally, I would like to thank my incredible cohort that I had the privilege to
be a part of. I am forever thankful for the constant support and sarcasm that we
showed one another. Going through this journey with all of you made it so
worthwhile. I have made forever friendships and I feel so lucky because of that.
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DEDICATION
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor
have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” Fr. Greg Boyle
This project is dedicated to adolescents who are often so negatively
labeled and judged before they have had the time or opportunity to become or
show who they are destined to be.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................ vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Problem Statement .................................................................................... 1
Purpose of the Study ................................................................................. 6
Significance of the Project for Social Work Practice .................................. 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Gaps in the Literature .............................................................................. 10
Methodological Limitations ...................................................................... 11
Conflicting Findings ................................................................................. 12
Theoretical Conceptions .......................................................................... 13
CHAPTER THREE: METHODS
Overview .................................................................................................. 19
Study Design ........................................................................................... 19
Sampling .................................................................................................. 20
Data Collection and Instruments .............................................................. 21
Procedures .............................................................................................. 22
Protection of Human Subjects ................................................................. 23
Data Analysis ........................................................................................... 23
Summary ................................................................................................. 24

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CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
Introduction .............................................................................................. 25
Descriptive Statistics................................................................................ 25
Findings ................................................................................................... 27
Summary ................................................................................................. 33
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
Introduction .............................................................................................. 34
Discussion of the Findings ....................................................................... 34
Recommendations for Social Work Practice, Policy, and Research ........ 38
Conclusions ............................................................................................. 40
APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE ...................................................................... 41
APPENDIX B: INFORMED CONSENT .............................................................. 47
APPENDIX C: DEBRIEFING STATEMENT ....................................................... 50

REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 52

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