Violence Prevention: Risk Factors

There are known risk factors associated with potential violence toward self and others. It is important to keep in mind that none of these risk factors alone is sufficient for predicting violence, and it may be inappropriate or potentially harmful to use them simply as a checklist for an individual youth. This list should not be used to stereotype or stigmatize individual youths because they appear to fit a set of risk factors.

School risk factors

• Previously brought a weapon at school
• Aggressiveness in grades K-3, social isolation or hyperactivity
• Truancy, getting into fights or misbehaving in class
• Serious disciplinary problems
• Past suspension or expulsion for aggressive behavior
• Anger or frustration present in school essays or artwork
• Academic failure beginning in grade school (experience of failure escalates risk rather than ability)

Personal risk factors

• History of tantrums or uncontrollable angry outbursts
• Past violent behavior
• Characteristically resorts to name calling or cursing
• Bullying of peers or younger youths
• History of being bullied
• A pattern of violent threats when angry
• Cruelty to animals
• Fire-setting
• Use and abuse of alcohol or drugs
• Past suicide attempts
• Often depressed or has significant mood swings
• Tends to blame others for personal problems
• Recent experience of humiliation, loss, or rejection
• Preoccupation with weapons or explosives
• Poor peer relations, is on the fringe of peer group with few or no close friends
• Involvement with cults or gangs
• Unstructured time

Community and environmental risk factors

• Extreme economic deprivation
• Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization
• Access to guns or other weapons
• Past destruction of property or vandalism
• Few organized activities in community for youths

Family risk factors

• History of family violence
• History of weapon possession or use by family
• Abuse of alcohol or drugs by family members
• Family conflict
• Youth has history of being abused
• Severe or inconsistent punishment
• Absence of clear expectations or standards for behavior
• Lack of supervision or support from parents or caring adults

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