Abstract:

This study examined both the protective and risk factors known to distinguish delinquent adolescent females who become gang-involved from their non gang-involved counterparts. More specifically, the relationships among role models, academic goals, substance use, and adolescent female gang membership were assessed. Data were generated by administering seven self-report questionnaires to 134 participants at a residential treatment program for juvenile delinquent girls in Southern California. Although the majority of the main hypotheses in the present study were not supported by the findings of this research, the results obtained in the present study indicated that substance use was a predictor of adolescent female gang membership. Moreover, exploratory analyses revealed that age and ethnic minority status were related to adolescent female gang membership. Exploratory analyses further revealed that substance use significantly interacted with the importance participants placed on delinquent goals and admired role models in predicting adolescent female gang membership. The results are discussed with respect to their contributions to formulating effective interventions and prevention strategies aimed at deterring at-risk girls from gang involvement.