1.1 Explain the causes and circumstances that may contribute to the anti-social and/or criminal activity of young people including personal, physical, psychological and social factors

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Explain the causes and circumstances that may contribute to the anti-social and/or criminal activity of young people including personal, physical, psychological and social factors

Working with children and young people often means understanding why some get involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour. Such actions rarely come from a single cause. They are usually influenced by a combination of factors that interact and shape decisions. Each factor can increase the chance of risky behaviour when a young person is in a vulnerable position.

Understanding these causes helps workers create effective support plans, challenge harmful behaviour and strengthen positive choices. This section explains causes across personal, physical, psychological and social areas.

Personal Factors

Personal factors relate to characteristics, experiences or circumstances that are unique to the individual. These often start to influence behaviour early in life.

Low Educational Achievement

Young people struggling at school are more likely to disengage. Poor attendance can lead to gaps in learning, leaving them feeling frustrated and behind others. This can affect self-esteem and motivation.

Repeated failure can lead to giving up on positive goals
Lack of qualifications can limit job prospects, creating frustration
School exclusion can remove them from positive environments

Poor Communication Skills

Not being able to express feelings or needs effectively can cause misunderstandings. Arguments and conflict can then escalate.

Limited vocabulary or poor listening skills can lead to fighting
Miscommunication can damage relationships with teachers, peers and family
Persistent frustration may be expressed through aggression

Substance Misuse

Alcohol and drugs affect judgement, impulse control and decision-making.

Risk of being influenced by peers using substances
Substance misuse can become a way to cope with stress or trauma
Some crimes link directly to funding a drug habit

Influence of Peer Groups

Friendships can be positive when they encourage healthy choices. They can become negative if peers are involved in anti-social acts.

Pressure to join in group behaviour
Fear of exclusion leads to copying harmful acts
Group loyalty may override personal morals

Physical Factors

Physical aspects include health, disabilities, and environmental surroundings. These can affect how a young person behaves and what risks they face.

Disabilities and Chronic Illness

A child or young person with a disability or long-term health issue may feel isolated from peers. This can cause frustration or increase vulnerability to exploitation.

Some may act out due to feeling excluded from activities
Support gaps can leave them unprotected from negative peer pressure
Discrimination can damage self-worth

Brain Development and Injury

The teenage brain is still developing, particularly in areas linked to impulse control and reasoning. Injuries or conditions affecting the brain can alter behaviour.

A head injury can reduce self-control
Certain conditions can affect risk awareness
Impulse control difficulties increase risky decision-making

Poor Living Conditions

Poor housing, overcrowding, and unsafe environments can impact both health and behaviour.

Discomfort and lack of privacy can lead to stress
Exposure to unsafe neighbourhoods normalises harmful behaviour
Lack of safe spaces reduces opportunities for positive activities

Psychological Factors

Psychological influences relate to mental health, emotional wellbeing, and early life experiences.

Trauma and Abuse

Experiencing abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence affects emotional development.

Creates mistrust of others
Can lead to aggression as a defence mechanism
May cause difficulty in forming healthy relationships

Mental Health Conditions

Depression, anxiety, or behavioural disorders can increase risk when unmanaged.

Young people may withdraw from support networks
Mood changes can drive impulsive actions
A lack of coping strategies increases vulnerability

Lack of Positive Role Models

Without examples of positive behaviour, young people may lack guidance on solving problems safely.

They may copy harmful behaviours from adults in their lives
Exposure to criminal behaviour in the home can make it seem normal
Absence of encouragement can reduce motivation to improve

Social Factors

Social factors cover relationships, community influences, and wider cultural or economic conditions.

Family Breakdown

Separation, conflict, or poor parenting can leave young people without stability.

Arguments at home can cause stress and anger
Poor supervision leaves more time for risky activities
Lack of emotional support increases vulnerability

Poverty and Financial Strain

Low income can limit access to opportunities and basic needs.

Some commit crime to get money or goods
Stress from family financial problems can impact mental health
Limited resources for hobbies or safe spaces lead to boredom

Community Influences

A community where anti-social behaviour is common can normalise such acts.

High crime rates create feelings of hopelessness about change
Limited local services mean fewer positive outlets
Social acceptance of harmful acts reduces deterrents

Gang Culture

Gangs can offer a sense of belonging but are often linked to crime.

Joining a gang can start with seeking friendship and protection
Gangs may offer financial gain through illegal activity
Leaving a gang can be difficult due to threats or loyalty demands

How Factors Interact

These factors rarely act alone. They build up and combine over time to shape behaviour. For example, a young person with poor school attendance may join a peer group engaged in petty crime. If that young person lives in poverty and has no positive role models, the risk increases further.

Triggers can come from sudden changes in life such as moving house, losing a family member, or being excluded from school. When several factors build up, it reduces resilience and increases chances of anti-social acts.

Impact on Behaviour

Understanding impact helps workers see why intervention needs to address more than surface behaviour.

Lack of trust can lead to rejecting support
Poor coping skills make harmful acts seem like solutions
Pressure from peers or gangs can outweigh fear of punishment
Substance misuse interacts with emotional and community challenges

When several pressures combine, the young person may feel they have limited choices. Even those aware of legal consequences might still act if they think it meets an immediate need.

Protective Measures

Identifying risks early gives a better chance of prevention.

Build strong relationships to encourage disclosure of problems
Offer learning support to improve confidence
Create safe spaces for young people to spend time out of risky areas
Promote positive community role models

Final Thoughts

Anti-social and criminal activity in young people is usually the result of multiple linked causes. These can be personal weaknesses, health problems, trauma, family stress, or community influences. Workers must look beyond the act itself to see the pressures, gaps, and triggers that pushed the behaviour.

By understanding the mix of personal, physical, psychological, and social factors, practitioners can create support that fits the young person’s real-life situation. Listening, building trust, and addressing root causes can reduce risk. This approach encourages young people to make better decisions and find hope in safer choices.