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The Youth Gang Member

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Assessing and Treating Low Incidence/High Severity Psychological Disorders of Childhood

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Abstract

Experts agree that there is a significant gang problem in North America and throughout the world. Recent trends in the USA and Canada indicate that more youth have affiliated with gangs within the last decade. Some gangs are establishing themselves as powerful antisocial organizations within our society, responsible for widespread criminal activity and social discord. The academic study of youth gangs reveals there are many factors that facilitate youth becoming gang members although the core reason for joining a gang relates to the fundamental human need of belonging to a social group. But being a gang member is not itself a mental health disorder, although many gang members have psychiatric issues. Our pop culture has popularized the image of a gangbanger, but for the individual, being associated with a gang, even for a brief period of time, is strongly associated with dire outcomes including legal, social, economic, and psychological problems. Current treatment models are complex and research suggests successful intervention must involve government, community, social, economic, and psychological components that work together. Ultimately, the hope is that youth will be drawn to more positive social outlets that steer them away from a potentially destructive lifestyle as a gang member.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program in School Psychology, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA

    Stefan C. Dombrowski (Professor & Director)

  2. Department of Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA

    Karen L. Gischlar

  3. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, 6-135 Education North Bldg., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Martin Mrazik

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  1. Stefan C. Dombrowski
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  2. Karen L. Gischlar
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  3. Martin Mrazik
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Correspondence to Stefan C. Dombrowski .

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Dombrowski, S.C., Gischlar, K.L., Mrazik, M. (2011). The Youth Gang Member. In: Assessing and Treating Low Incidence/High Severity Psychological Disorders of Childhood. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9970-2_6

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