Risk Factors, Stressors, and Concerning Behaviors

This page provides an overview of risk factors, stressors, and concerning behaviors that fall into five categories. Some of these behaviors reflect the “pathways to violence” stages and some are facilitators or stressors that may increase the risk for violence. These categories include:  

1. Risk Factors 
2. Stressors 
3. Signs of a Grievance 
4. Violent Thinking or Acceptance of Violence 
5. Research and Planning

Risk Factors 

There are several factors shown to increase risk for violent behavior. These include:  

• Existing substance or alcohol abuse  
• A history of criminal conduct
• Isolation or distancing from previous social relationships
• Associating with antisocial peers, criminal groups, or extremists 
• Stated desire to achieve notoriety or recognition
• Changes in one’s physical appearance or personality  

Stressors 

Individuals may also notice individuals experiencing stressors, particularly multiple stressors, that contribute to or amplify perceived or real grievances. Stressors include:  

• Financial Difficulties – This may include difficulty meeting financial needs for essentials such as food, shelter, and healthcare. It may also include significant financial setbacks such as the failure of a business or loss of value in an investment.   
• Relationship Conflict – This may include conflict with family, peers, or intimate partners. Relationship stressors may be particularly challenging when accompanied by social isolation or ostracism. 
• Health Challenges – This can include both mental and physical health issues. 
• Personal Losses – Examples include the death of a loved one or role model. 
• Professional Losses – The loss of a job is a key professional stressor, but professional setbacks may come in other forms such as a demotion, the departure of a trusted coworker or boss, a restructuring at one’s employer, or other changes that create stress or anxiety at work. 
• Sense of Failure – While many of the stressors listed here can contribute to a sense of failure, failing to achieve a specific long-term goal or aspiration can amplify feelings of hopelessness and negatively impact feelings of self-worth.  

Signs of a Grievance 

The first stage in the “pathway to violence” is having a perceived or real grievance towards others. Individuals who have a fixation on a grievance may make hostile, sarcastic or bitter comments, sketches, writings, or other express their grievance through other changes in demeanor. (US. Department of Homeland Security, 2020). Grievances may include:  

• Feelings of rejection by others 
• Holding strong grudges against others for perceived or real slights 
• Strong desire for revenge for perceived injustices 
• Feelings that others are provoking you 
• Feelings of being disrespected 
• Feelings of humiliation  
• Feelings of exclusion from opportunities or a sense of entitlement 

Violent Thinking or Acceptance of Violence 

Individuals may also see, hear, or learn about someone who is displaying violent thinking or acceptance of violence, the second stage in the “pathway to violence.” Such behaviors include:  

• Fantasizing, thinking about, or being preoccupied with violence 
• Spending excessive time engaging with violent content. Examples may include graphic, “live” violence such as photos of executions, terrorist attacks, hooligan fights, riots, and fight clubs. Other examples may include engaging with violent, extremist, or targeted-violence-related forums, websites, propaganda, message boards, video platforms, etc. 
• Fixation with weapons including firearms and explosive devices 
• Fixation with hate groups or extremist ideology 
• Displaying (strong) contempt for others 
• Belief that violence is necessary or acceptable to solve problems 
• Obsessing about or viewing  violent media 
• Expressed anger and/or aggressive behaviors such as making explicit threats of violence, expressing extreme anger toward others, or attempting to engage in violence 
• Suicidal ideology or depression 
• Homicidal ideology or desire to hurt others 
• History of other violent conduct, such as cruelty to animals, domestic violence, and/or intentional fire setting 
• History of stalking, harassing or other menacing behaviors 

Researching and Planning 

Finally, individuals may see, hear, or learn about behaviors that suggest someone is researching, planning, or preparing for a violent act. They may also hear, see, or learn about someone who is engaging in breaching— looking for vulnerabilities that will help them carry out the attack or escape the attack. Specific behaviors might include:  

• Researching or identifying with others who engaged in targeted violence  
• Research/planning or preparing for a violent act 
• Vocalizing planned acts of violence 
• Recent change or escalation in acquisition of firearms or attempting to obtain firearms when prohibited from doing so 
• Making verbal or written threats against specific people or places