Adolescent males in a secure care setting: The relationship between psychopathy and gang affiliation

Abstract

This study investigated two variables that have been associated with violent behavior in adolescent males: psychopathy and gang affiliation. Twenty-one incarcerated male adolescents (ages 14-17) committed to a secure care setting participated in the study. Participants were identified as either gang members or non-gang members, and interviewed using the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R) (Hare, 1991). Results indicated that gang members as a group manifested higher levels of psychopathy than non-gang members as measured by the Total and Affective (Factor 1) scores of the PCL-R. However, interrater reliability was low on the Affective (Factor 1) scale, and Affective (Factor 1) results must be interpreted with caution. No significant differences emerged between gang members and non-gang members on the Behavior (Factor 2) score of the PCL-R. Therefore, incarcerated gang members and non-gang members did not differ significantly in delinquent offense history. In conclusion, significant differences emerged overall between gang members and non-gang members on the variable of psychopathy, establishing the presence of a relationship between psychopathy and gang affiliation. The recognition of psychopathy in influencing gang affiliation can complement existing sociological theories in understanding the complex nature of adolescents who affiliate with gangs.