Reconsidering the “gang effect” in the face of intermittency: Do first‐ and second‐time gang membership both matter?*

Abstract

Research demonstrates that joining a gang is associated with amplified criminal behavior. Given that gang membership can be a transient and intermittent status, we question whether it has a consistent effect on offending regardless of whether an individual joins a gang for the first time or rejoins (for the second time). Using panel data from the Rochester Youth Development Study (N = 1,217 person-periods nested within 177 individuals), we employ a within-persons analysis via multilevel structural equation models with fixed slopes. First-time membership is associated with increases over pregang periods in general, violent and property offending, as well as drug sales. Joining a gang for the second time is associated with significant increases in general and violent offending, as well as with drug sales, compared with the time out of the gang after first-time membership. Finally, the total changes in offending associated with first- and second-time gang membership seem to be comparable. Overall, the results suggest that gang membership, whether a new or repeat experience, is a salient life event and that intermittency is related to meaningful disruptions in offending pathways.