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Exposure to Gangs – Houston School Cohort Survey
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About Exposure to Gangs – Houston School Cohort Survey
Scale Name
Exposure to Gangs – Houston School Cohort Survey
Author Details
Houston Community Demonstration Project (1993)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Exposure to Gangs – Houston School Cohort Survey, developed by the Houston Community Demonstration Project in 1993, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure exposure to gangs and gang membership among middle school students in grades 6-8 (ages 11-14) in urban settings. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), the survey was created to assess the prevalence of gang-related influences in high-risk communities, aligning with social learning theory (Akers, 1977) and ecological models (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). It was used to evaluate community-based violence prevention programs, focusing on how gang exposure impacts youth behavior.
The scale comprises 3 items with dichotomous (Yes/No) responses, assessing gang presence and perceptions (e.g., “Are there gangs in your neighborhood?”, “Are gang members troublemakers?”, “Do you belong to a gang?”). Scores are summed (range: 0-3), with higher scores indicating greater gang exposure or involvement. Validated in urban middle school samples, it is used to identify at-risk youth and inform prevention strategies.
Public health researchers, educators, and community interventionists use the survey to assess gang influence, though its low internal consistency and brevity limit reliability. Its focus on urban youth is a strength, but its English-only availability and unpublished status restrict broader use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the survey from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or CDC resources, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses gang exposure to support safer communities, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to answer Yes/No to each item based on their experiences or perceptions of gangs.
- Approximate time for completion is 1-2 minutes, given its brief 3-item format.
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration is recommended for students with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Exposure to Gangs – Houston School Cohort Survey has limited psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is low, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.52, indicating poor item cohesion, likely due to the scale’s brevity and diverse constructs (exposure vs. membership). Test-retest reliability is not reported, and stability is uncertain.
Convergent validity is inferred from correlations with related constructs, such as delinquency or peer deviance (r ≈ 0.20-0.40), but empirical data is lacking. Criterion validity is suggested by its use in identifying gang-involved youth in prevention programs. Factor analyses are not reported, and construct validity is unclear due to the low alpha. The poor reliability necessitates cautious use, supplemented by validated measures like the Delinquent Peers Scale (Thornberry et al., 1994).
Available Versions
06-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Exposure to Gangs – Houston School Cohort Survey measure?
It measures exposure to gangs and gang membership.
Who can use the scale?
Researchers and educators studying middle school students in urban settings.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 1-2 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets grades 6-8 in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but low reliability (α = 0.52) requires use with validated measures.
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