As part of the Social Networks, Delinquency, and Gang Membership project, funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, social network data were collected from youth in a small, at-risk neighborhood. The data were analyzed using social network methods. Results indicated that individuals with multiple, separate groups of friends have greater constraints on their behavior and are less likely to be delinquent. Results also suggested that networks with very low densities (fewer connections) are more successful contexts for intervention. These findings are relevant to developing appropriate delinquency programs and shed light on the efficacy of neighborhood-based interventions.
-Urban Institute
Authors:
Caterina G. Roman, Temple University
Meagan Cahill, The Urban Institute
Pamela Lachman, The Urban Institute
Samantha Lowry, The Urban Institute
Carlena Orosco, Temple University
Christopher McCarty, University of Florida
with:
Megan Denver, The Urban Institute
Juan Pedroza, The Urban Institute
