1.2 Explain the factors and tensions that may affect the ability of young people and significant others involved with them to address their anti-social and/or criminal behaviour

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Explain the factors and tensions that may affect the ability of young people and significant others involved with them to address their anti-social and/or criminal behaviour.

Supporting young people in addressing anti-social or criminal behaviour can be challenging. Both the young person and significant others in their life, such as parents, carers, teachers, youth workers, and peers, may face multiple pressures. These pressures can limit their ability to make positive changes. Understanding the factors and tensions involved helps workers provide practical support and effective intervention.

Anti-social behaviour involves actions that cause harassment, alarm, or distress to others. Examples include vandalism, verbal abuse, graffiti, and persistent nuisance. Criminal behaviour refers to actions that break the law, such as theft, assault, or drug offences.

Both can negatively affect the young person’s life. They can damage relationships, lead to legal consequences, and harm education and employment prospects.

Family and Home Environment

The family setting plays a major role in a young person’s behaviour. A stable and supportive home often promotes positive behaviour. A home with conflict or neglect can create challenges.

Factors affecting the ability to address behaviour include:

• Parental conflict
• Domestic abuse
• Substance misuse within the household
• Lack of clear boundaries or discipline
• Absence of positive role models

Tensions arise when parents feel overwhelmed or powerless. In some cases, they may deny there is a problem. Disagreement between parents and professionals on the best intervention can slow progress. If trust between the family and services is low, cooperation may weaken.

Peer Influence

Peers can shape attitudes and actions. Young people often want to fit in with friends. If their peers engage in anti-social or criminal activity, they may feel pressure to join in.

Factors that make change difficult include:

• Direct peer pressure to join in illegal activities
• Fear of rejection from a friendship group
• Status gained through negative actions

A young person may value acceptance by peers over advice from adults. This creates tension between wanting to change and wanting to belong.

Socio-Economic Factors

Poverty, low income, and poor housing can limit opportunities. Limited access to sports, hobbies, and safe community spaces leaves young people at risk of boredom or frustration.

Economic hardship can create tensions such as:

• Parents working long hours with limited time for supervision
• Reduced access to educational resources
• Lack of funds for healthy leisure activities

Financial strain can also cause stress within the family, impacting relationships and communication.

Education and School Environment

School can be a place of positive influence but may also present difficulties. Struggling with learning, experiencing bullying, or facing exclusion can lead to disengagement.

Factors in education that affect behaviour include:

• Poor academic performance
• Negative relationships with teachers
• Being part of a peer group that avoids school
• Schools unable to address individual needs

Tensions may exist between the young person and the school. Parents may feel unsupported or blamed by school staff. Repeated exclusions can break routines and reduce engagement in positive activity.

Personal and Emotional Factors

Young people may face mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma from past experiences. Low self-esteem can lead them to make poor choices.

These personal challenges include:

• Difficulty managing emotions
• Impulsivity
• Limited coping strategies

Tensions occur if the young person cannot access timely mental health support. They may resist speaking to professionals or mistrust those offering help.

Cultural and Community Influences

Cultural values and community norms can influence behaviour and responses to intervention. In some communities, certain anti-authority attitudes are common.

Factors include:

• Community acceptance of certain anti-social actions
• Fear of retaliation for speaking out against peers
• Lack of services that reflect cultural needs

Tensions may arise when professionals do not understand the cultural background. Misinterpretation of behaviour or values can reduce effective communication.

Substance Misuse

Alcohol and drug use can make behaviour harder to control. Substance misuse may impair judgement, increase impulsivity, and cause aggression.

Factors affecting change include:

• Peer acceptance of drug or alcohol use
• Availability of substances locally
• Normalisation of misuse within family or community

Tensions happen when substance misuse is denied or hidden. Families may fear stigma or legal consequences. This can reduce openness with professionals.

Relationship Between Young Person and Significant Others

The quality of relationships between the young person and those supporting them matters. Trust and respect promote change. Conflict and mistrust weaken it.

Challenges can include:

• Communication breakdowns
• Disagreement about issues and solutions
• Professionals perceived as judgemental
• Parents feeling blamed instead of supported

Tensions build when disagreement prevents united action.

Involvement of Agencies

Agency support such as police, social workers, and youth offending services can create both help and strain. Some young people see these agencies as threatening rather than supportive.

Factors affecting work with agencies include:

• Fear of authority
• Stigma in the community towards those receiving support
• Long waiting times for interventions
• Inconsistent contact or follow-up

Tensions grow when families experience multiple professionals with differing views. They may feel bombarded or confused.

Legal Pressures

Legal consequences such as court orders or probation can influence behaviour. They may motivate change but also create stress.

Factors that make change harder:

• Conditions that restrict movement or activities
• Pressure to meet court requirements with limited support
• Fear of imprisonment

Tensions occur when legal obligations clash with personal or family commitments. Balancing work or education with court requirements can be difficult.

Motivation and Readiness to Change

Change is more likely when the young person and those around them are ready and willing. If motivation is low, progress slows.

Factors affecting motivation include:

• Lack of belief in the need to change
• Feeling forced by adults, rather than choosing change
• Previous failed attempts leading to frustration

Tensions arise when significant others are motivated but the young person is not. This mismatch can create resentment and resistance.

Communication Barriers

Effective communication is necessary for addressing behaviour. Language barriers, low literacy, or disability can limit understanding.

Factors include:

• Professionals using complex or unfamiliar terms
• Young people not willing to talk openly
• Misinterpretation of advice

When communication is poor, tensions rise between all involved. Misunderstanding treatment plans or support arrangements can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities.

Safety Concerns

Some young people may face real safety risks if they try to move away from negative behaviour or people.

Factors include:

• Threats from peers involved in criminal activity
• Fear of being targeted in the community
• Being pressured to stay in risky friendship groups

These safety concerns create strong tensions. Families may worry about their child being harmed if they change their lifestyle.

Media Influence

Social media and online platforms can encourage risky or illegal behaviour. Young people may see posts that glamorise crime or anti-social acts.

Factors affecting ability to change:

• Constant exposure to negative role models online
• Pressure to post proof of actions to gain attention
• Online bullying or harassment

Tensions occur when parents or carers feel they cannot control online activity. Disagreements arise about how much freedom young people should have.

Lack of Resources and Support

Access to services such as counselling, mentoring, and youth groups can make change easier. When these are missing locally, progress is harder.

Factors include:

• Long waiting lists
• No suitable programmes in the area
• Transport problems preventing attendance

Tensions may build when families make efforts to attend support services but face repeated obstacles. Motivation can drop when help is slow to appear.

Final Thoughts

Addressing anti-social or criminal behaviour is complex. Many interlinked factors and tensions influence the ability of young people and significant others to change. Some challenges come from within the family. Others come from peers, school, community, or wider society. The presence of support does not guarantee change if the tensions are not resolved.

Workers need to assess each case individually. Recognising the unique mix of pressures allows for more practical and realistic support. Building trust and consistent communication between all parties reduces tension. This creates better conditions for lasting change and a safer future for the young person.