Mediating the Maltreatment–Delinquency Relationship: The Role of Triad Gang Membership

The primary aim of this article is to examine the role of triad affiliation in mediating the relationship between child maltreatment (neglect, punishment, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse) and delinquency among active young gang members in Hong Kong. A sample of 177 gang members aged 12 to 24 was r...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Chui, Wing Hong (Author) ; Khiatani, Paul Vinod (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
In: Journal of interpersonal violence
Year: 2021, Volume: 36, Issue: 5/6, Pages: 2140-2165
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
Hong Kong Chinese
Mediation analysis
triads
Gang membership
Delinquency
child maltreatment
Description
Summary:The primary aim of this article is to examine the role of triad affiliation in mediating the relationship between child maltreatment (neglect, punishment, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse) and delinquency among active young gang members in Hong Kong. A sample of 177 gang members aged 12 to 24 was recruited to complete a questionnaire with the assistance of a youth outreach social work team. Neglect was identified as the most common form of maltreatment, followed by emotional abuse, punishment, and sexual abuse. Mediation analyses confirmed that triad affiliation acts as a mediating variable in the child maltreatment–delinquency relationship, except in cases of sexual abuse. Only the relationship between punishment and delinquency was found to be fully mediated by triad affiliation; partial mediation effects were found for neglect and emotional abuse. Recommendations for child protection and youth workers are provided.
ISSN:1552-6518
DOI:10.1177/0886260518760607