Rural Adolescent Gang Involvement and Associated Outcomes in Early Adulthood

Little is known about behavioral health outcomes of gang-involved youth outside urban areas. This study examines diverse early-adulthood outcomes among gang-involved youth from rural and small communities and whether these outcomes differ by degree of involvement. Data came from a panel of youth (n = 2,002) from the 12 rural and small-town control communities of the Community Youth Development Study, a community-randomized trial of the Communities That Care prevention system. Repeated Measures Latent Profile Analyses, conducted within gender groups, derived classes of gang involvement during adolescence (Grades 7 to 12), including gang member, gang-associated, and nonaffiliated youth. Logistic regression models then compared outcomes at Age 19 between classes. Male and female rural gang members and gang-associated adolescents had significantly greater odds of multiple outcomes, including delinquency, substance use, and well-being outcomes, compared to non-affiliated youth. Findings suggest gang-associated rural youth should be considered alongside gang members in preventive interventions.