Risk factors and behaviors associated with adolescent violence and aggression.

OBJECTIVE To explore risk factors and behaviors associated with aggressive and violent behaviors among adolescents. METHODS A comprehensive review of research literature from various disciplines associated with improving the health and well-being of adolescents. RESULTS Risk factors and behaviors associated with adolescent aggression and violence are discussed via 6 major factor categories: individual, family, school/academic, peer-related, community and neighborhood, and situational. CONCLUSION Adolescent aggression and violence develops and manifests within a complex constellation of factors. Prevention intervention efforts should be theory based, multicomponent, and multisystem; they should begin in middle school and continue into high school with a comprehensive evaluation design.