Risk Factors Associated with Teen Violence

Teen violence is a serious issue that can have lasting consequences for both the perpetrator and the victim. Unfortunately, on any given day, you’re likely to find at least one story in the news about a teen behaving violently. Whether it's a gang fight or a violent act against a stranger, the reasons behind the violence vary.

Quite often, there are a variety of factors that come together to increase the likelihood that a teen will become violent. These factors can be categorized into individual, educational, community, family, and social risk factors.

Individual Risk Factors

• A history of abuse, neglect, and trauma
• Being exposed to or witnessing violence
• A history of aggressive behavior
• Low IQ, cognitive deficits, or learning disorders
• Mental health issues and emotional distress
• Antisocial beliefs and involvement in illegal activity
• Being male

Educational Risk Factors

• Attending an urban school
• School departments that report gang and drug activity
• Poor academic performance
• Dropping out of school

Community Risk Factors

• Substandard housing and economic decline
• High transient rates and low community involvement
• Witnessing violence in the neighborhood or being a victim of a violent crime

Family Risk Factors

• Inconsistent discipline
• Lack of supervision
• Lack of emotional attachment to parents or caregivers
• Untreated parental mental illness
• Low parental income and education
• Parental drug or alcohol abuse
• Childhood abuse and neglect
• Stressful family environments

Social Risk Factors

• Easy access to guns
• Associating with delinquent peers
• Low involvement in structured activities
• Media portrayals of illegal behavior

Getting Help for a Violent Teen

If you see signs of violence, it's important to seek immediate help for your teen. Even milder acts of aggression, such as hitting a younger sibling or destroying property on purpose, shouldn't be ignored. Violence can get worse over time if left unaddressed.

Talk to your teen's doctor if you have concerns. Your teen's doctor may recommend treatment with a mental health professional. Treating the behavior now can reduce the chances a troubled teen will become a violent adult.