PTSD as a Risk Factor for Chronic Gang Membership During Adolescence and Early Adulthood: A Group-Based Trajectory Modeling Approach

Abstract

This study sought to identify developmental patterns of gang membership among a sample of juvenile offenders during adolescence and early adulthood. Examine the relevance of PTSD for predicting development. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify developmental patterns of gang membership. Multinomial logistic regression examined if PTSD predicts trajectory group membership. A five-group model best fit the gang membership data. Meeting lifetime criteria for PTSD at baseline predicted membership to a trajectory group characterized by chronic gang membership. Results indicate that screening for PTSD may help to identify juvenile offenders who may be at-risk for becoming chronic gang members. Providing trauma-informed care may help to reduce the impact of PTSD on gang membership risk by providing treatment that helps juvenile offenders manage emotions and establish and maintain social support relationships outside of a gang context.