Rise in anti-social behaviour by girls over past decade

A new study has found that anti-social behaviour has increased for girls and remained broadly stable for boys over the past decade.

The research by the Economic and Social Research Institute shows the number of 13-year-old girls who reported hitting, punching or kicking someone over the past year increased from 10 to 16% over ten years.

It found that the increase appears to relate to greater mental health difficulties - including depression, hearing voices and behavioural problems.

The research also found that young people who become increasingly involved in anti-social behaviour during their teenage years are more likely to experience poorer educational outcomes and difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing in early adulthood.

The study used data from the Growing Up in Ireland study to examine anti-social behaviour among young people between the ages of 13 and 17.

Anti-social behaviour includes a range of activities, from taking something without permission and graffiti to physical violence.

Researchers found that around one in five 13-year-olds reported taking something from home without permission in the previous year, while a similar proportion said they had hit, punched or kicked another person.

Around one in ten reported paying an incorrect bus or train fare, behaving badly in public or taking something from school.

The study found that levels of anti-social behaviour did not vary according to parental education, family social class or financial difficulties.

However, rates tended to be higher among young people living in lone-parent families, those with more older siblings and those who experienced greater conflict with their mother.

Living in a city or a neighbourhood characterised by disorder was also associated with higher levels of violent and non-violent anti-social behaviour.

Researchers found that childhood behavioural difficulties and mental health problems during teenage years were strongly associated with anti-social behaviour.

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences, including bereavement, family separation and family mental health difficulties, emerged as the strongest predictor of increasing anti-social behaviour between the ages of 13 and 17.

Those whose anti-social behaviour increased between the ages of 13 and 17 received lower Leaving Certificate grades and were less likely to have obtained a degree by the age of 25.

At age 20, they also reported higher levels of depression, lower life satisfaction and less trust in others.
The study also examined young people's contact with the criminal justice system.

More than one-fifth reported having been stopped and questioned by gardaí between the ages of 17 and 20.

Young people involved in anti-social behaviour at age 13 were more likely to have early contact with the justice system.

Early contact with the justice system was also associated with lower Leaving Certificate grades and reduced levels of trust in others in early adulthood.

One of the report's authors, Emer Smyth, said the findings highlighted the significant impact of anti-social behaviour and contact with the criminal justice system on education, wellbeing, health and bonds with others.

She said these consequences imposed costs not only on individuals but also on wider society.

"The results point to the need to further enhance a joined-up approach across government departments, State agencies and community organisations to address anti-social behaviour and its consequences," she said.

Co-author Merike Darmody said the findings highlighted the importance of improving access to mental health supports for young people.

"The role of externalising difficulties in childhood along with mental health difficulties in adolescence in anti-social behaviour highlights the need for improved access to a range of supports, from mental health promotion to specialist support for those with acute difficulties," she said.