Risk Factors for School Violence

  • Individual Factors

    • Risk taking
    • Aggressiveness
    • Early involvement in violent behavior
    • Involvement in other antisocial behavior, beliefs and attitudes favorable to deviant or antisocial behavior


    Family Factors

    • Parental criminality
    • Child maltreatment
    • Poor family management practices
    • Low parental involvement
    • Peer family bonding
    • Family conflict
    • Parental attitudes favorable to substance abuse and violence


    School Factors

    • Academic failure
    • Low bonding to school
    • Truancy
    • Withdrawal from school
    • Frequent school transitions


    Peer Related Factors

    • Delinquent siblings or peers
    • Gang involvement


    Community Factors

    • Poverty
    • Community disorganization
    • Availability of drugs and/or firearms
    • Neighborhood adults involved in crime
    • Exposure to violence and racial prejudice


    Source: Gerler, E.R. (2004). Handbook of school violence. New York: The Haworth
    Reference Press.