PRECURSORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF MEMBERSHIP IN YOUNG GANGS

Explanations of gang membership were studied in a population of 11,000 secondary school students. Lower self-esteem, perceived academic abil ity, psychosocial health, and bonds with institutions appeared to prec ede gang membership (selection model). Greater drug use, greater delin quency, greater fear of harm, and being armed were precursors and cons equences of gang membership (facilitation and selection models). ''Wan nabes'' were partway between nonmembers and members. Findings were con sistent with gang membership as a result of lack of social integration .