News reports of an escalating youth gang problem are frequent in current Canadian media. However, empirical study of factors contributing to youth gang affiliation, particularly in regards to protective factors that may be targeted in intervention and prevention efforts is lacking, especially in Canadian populations. This study was initiated as an exploratory study to examine the relationship between degrees of gang affiliation and measures of social/emotional competency, with a view to identifying a tool that could possibly be utilized to guide intervention planning efforts. The relationship with group affiliation, as well as the relationship to measures of aggression were also included to lend further depth to the analysis. The target population was youth between the ages of 12 to 15 years old who may have been at earlier (lesser degree and more transient) stages of gang affiliation.<p> Data for this study were collected in self-report survey format from 109 youth between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age from several urban Saskatchewan schools. Correlational analysis was performed to investigate the relationships between group and gang affiliation on the BarOn EQ-i: YV (BarOn & Parker, 2000), and the Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992). Significant relationships were found between gang affiliation and the BarOn EQ-i: YV Interpersonal and Adaptability composites, and Total EQ scores, as well was with the Physical Aggression subscale of the Aggression Questionnaire. Differences in relationships emerged when the sample was separated by gender. There was a lack of significant relationship found between degree of group (non-gang) affiliation and gang affiliation amongst respondents in this study. Significant correlations were found between degree of group affiliation and the BarOn EQ-i: YV and between group affiliation and the Aggression Questionnaire results. Independent sample T-tests were utilized to investigate gender differences, with significant findings noted. An ANOVA was performed to assess for differences in the social/emotional competency and aggression measures, between outlier groups on the group and gang affiliation measures, with significant findings of between group differences.<p> While the BarOn EQ-i: YV emerges as a potentially valuable tool for the identification of alterable characteristics related to youth gang affiliation, the results of this study are preliminary in nature. Limitations of study design, measures, and sample group are identified, along with recommendations for future research.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [54]-61).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [54]-61).

En raison de leurs activités criminelles, l’identification de bonnes pratiques pour intervenir auprès des jeunes membres de gangs de rue est essentielle pour assurer la protection du public. Les recherches actuelles ne permettent toutefois pas d’identifier de programmes d’intervention efficaces pour cette clientèle (Boxer et al., 2015; Boxer et Goldstein, 2012; Parker et al., 2008 et Sécurité publique Canada, 2007). Le but de la présente étude est l’analyse logique de la théorie du programme d’intervention offert aux jeunes impliqués dans les gangs de rue et hébergés en centre de réadaptation en vertu d’une ordonnance de mise sous garde et de surveillance, à la suite d’une infraction de la Loi sur le système de justice pénale des adolescents (LSJPA). Le programme évalué, nommé ReZo, a pour objectif de susciter la réflexion des jeunes sur leur position dans les gangs de rue pour ultimement réduire leur risque de récidive. L’analyse logique cible deux aspects de la théorie du programme : la sélection des participants et du contenu des ateliers. Les résultats suggèrent que le processus de sélection des participants pourrait être bonifié (objectif 1) en ajustant les domaines de l’Inventaire des risques et des besoins liés aux facteurs criminogènes (IRBC) utilisés et en y incluant la Mesure d’adhésion à la culture de gang de rue (MACg). L’analyse du guide structuré et du modèle logique de ReZo suggère que le programme respecte la majorité des pratiques prometteuses citée dans la littérature quant au contenu des ateliers (objectif 2). Des modifications telles que le choix de thèmes, l’implication de l’entourage et de la famille et l’ajout de mesures d’évaluation sont recommandées. / to their criminal activities, the identification of effective practices for intervening with youth gang members is essential to ensure the protection of the public. However, current studies do not identify effective intervention programs for this clientele ((Boxer et al., 2015; Boxer et Goldstein, 2012; Parker et al., 2008 and Sécurité publique Canada, 2007). The purpose of this study is to analyze the logical reasoning of an intervention program offered to youth involved in street gangs and housed in rehabilitation centres under custody and supervision order, following an offence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The objective of the evaluated program, called ReZo, is to encourage youth to reflect on their position in street gangs in order to ultimately reduce their risk of recidivism. The theory-based evaluation has two objectives: the logic analysis of the selection of participants and the content of the workshops. The results suggest that the participant selection process could be improved (objective 1) by adjusting the areas of the Inventaire des risques et des besoins liés aux facteurs criminogènes (IRBC) used and by including the Mesure d'adhésion à la culture de gang de rue (MACg). Analysis of ReZo’s structured guide and logic model validated that it meets most of the criteria for good practice in the literature with respect to workshop content (objective 2). Adjustments such as the choice of themes, the involvement of family and friends and the addition of evaluation measures are recommended.