Citation

Chui WH, Khiatani PV. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2018; 62(9): 2527-2547.

Affiliation

City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X17730616

PMID

28893131

Abstract

This study explores the importance of organizational structures and formal affiliations with the Hong Kong triads to delinquency among youth street gang members in Hong Kong. More specifically, this study examines the relative importance of the number of organizational structures and triad affiliation to patterns of delinquency in a sample of active members of youth street gangs ( N = 201). With the aid of outreach social workers, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit a gender-balanced sample of at-risk youths. Logistic regression analysis of the survey data that was gathered indicated that formal affiliation to Hong Kong triads and the presence of organizational structures significantly increased the odds of delinquency (independently of each other). Suggestions for future research on gang membership and delinquency, with particular reference to the Asian context, are provided.

Language: en

Keywords

Hong Kong; delinquency; organizational structures; street gangs; triad affiliation; youth