Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Gang Participation Among Youth in Mombasa County, Kenya: From the Perspective of Household Challenges

Purpose: Gang participation has become a universal phenomenon attracting increasing attention in both developed and developing countries. Previous research denotes strong evidence that early life adverse traumas and events heighten the risk of delinquent behaviour among young people. This study aimed to find out whether there is a relationship between household challenges and gang participation among youth gang members in Mombasa County. This study was guided by the Interactional Theory by Terrence Thornberry (1987). Methods: This study employed a correlational research design within the context of Ex-post facto research. The study population consisted of alleged, convicted, and reforming gang members in Mombasa. They were drawn from a database accessed by the Nyali District Peace Committee (DPC) which has 358 members aged between 15-31 years. Purposive, and snowball sampling techniques were used to gather data from the sample. Descriptive statistics namely, frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency were used. Inferential statistics namely the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient, linear, and regression was then employed to establish the relationship between household challenges and gang participation. Results: The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between gang participation and household challenges (r = 0.876, p < 0.01). Implication: The findings of this study will guide the formulation of programs and interventions for the rehabilitation and reintegration of these gang members. These can be of help to Civil Society Organizations, law enforcement agencies, and probation officers.