Through ongoing research, our understanding about youth violence continues to grow. We have learned there is no one single issue in isolation that puts a young person at risk for violence. Multiple factors affect whether or not youth violence occurs. And, these factors change over time as youth grow. Our research is helping us identify what factors increase the risk and what factors lower the risk of youth engaging in violence.

A young person’s characteristics and experiences play a role in whether they are violent. For instance, young people have a higher risk for violence if they have poor problem-solving and communication skills, are experiencing emotional or academic problems, are using drugs or alcohol, and if they have a history of aggressive behavior or exposure to violence at home or in the community.

Young people’s relationships with friends and family and the characteristics of their community can also increase the risk for violence. For example, the risk of youth violence increases when young people have friends who get in trouble,  are encouraged to be aggressive, have limited adult supervision, are exposed to community violence, and live in areas experiencing community poverty.

A young person’s skills, experiences, relationships, and community can also help them be violence-free. These buffers include a commitment to school and good academic progress, skills to solve problems non-violently, positive connections to family, and frequent activities with family and peers who make good choices.

Knowing the risk and protective factors that influence youth violence can help communities identify prevention strategies and work to stop it before it starts. To learn more, please visit CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention website.