By Lauren Kirchner, Pacific Standard

Young men in gangs are disproportionately prone to anxiety disorders, psychosis.

Common problems among young men in gangs (the study only looked at males) included “violent ruminative thinking, violent victimization and fear of further victimization.” It makes sense, in an intuitive way: If you live a life where you’re both perpetrating violence and constantly on guard against retaliation, it’s got to be hard to keep calm and keep perspective. It also makes sense that this is a lifestyle that would attract people with volatile tendencies.


 (PHOTO: UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT)