A new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that anti-social behaviour among girls in Ireland has increased over the past decade, while levels among boys have remained broadly stable. The research, based on data from the Growing Up in Ireland study, shows that the number of 13-year-old girls who reported hitting, punching or kicking someone in the past year rose from 10% to 16% over ten years.
The study examined anti-social behaviour among young people between the ages of 13 and 17, covering 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 increase in anti-social behaviour among girls appears to relate to greater mental health difficulties, including depression, hearing voices and behavioural problems. 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 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. 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.
The research 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. 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 found that more than one-fifth of young people reported having been stopped and questioned by gardaí between the ages of 17 and 20, with early contact with the justice system associated with lower Leaving Certificate grades and reduced trust in others.
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, imposing 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.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The rise in anti-social behaviour among girls signals a growing challenge for schools, health services and the justice system, particularly as it is linked to mental health difficulties and adverse childhood experiences.
- Early anti-social behaviour and contact with the criminal justice system can have lasting effects on education, wellbeing and social trust, creating long-term costs for individuals and society.
- The study underscores the need for better access to mental health supports for young people and a more coordinated approach across government and community agencies.
Background
The study uses data from the Growing Up in Ireland study, a national longitudinal research project tracking children and young people. The ESRI analysed data on anti-social behaviour among young people aged 13 to 17 over a decade, covering behaviours from minor infractions to physical violence. While overall levels of anti-social behaviour have remained stable for boys, they have increased for girls, particularly in physical aggression, and are strongly associated with mental health difficulties and adverse childhood experiences.
What to Watch
- Whether the findings lead to increased government investment in adolescent mental health services, particularly early intervention and support for those showing behavioural difficulties.
- Future data from the Growing Up in Ireland study to see if the trend continues or stabilises.
- Potential policy responses from the departments of education, health and justice to implement the joined-up approach recommended by the researchers.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says anti-social behaviour among girls in Ireland rose over the past decade.RTÉ News: “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”
- Partly supportedThe summary says the increase is linked to mental health difficulties.RTÉ News: “It found that the increase appears to relate to greater mental health difficulties - including depression, hearing voices and behavioural problems.”
- SupportedThe summary says adverse childhood experiences predict rising anti-social behaviour.RTÉ News: “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.”
- SupportedThe number of 13-year-old girls reporting that they hit, punched or kicked someone in the past year rose from 10% to 16% over ten years.RTÉ News: “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.”
- SupportedAnti-social behaviour among boys remained broadly stable over the past decade.RTÉ News: “A new study has found that anti-social behaviour has increased for girls and remained broadly stable for boys over the past decade.”
- SupportedThe study used Growing Up in Ireland data and examined anti-social behaviour among young people aged 13 to 17.RTÉ News: “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.”
- SupportedExposure to adverse childhood experiences was the strongest predictor of increasing anti-social behaviour between ages 13 and 17.RTÉ News: “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.”
- SupportedThose whose anti-social behaviour increased between ages 13 and 17 received lower Leaving Certificate grades and were less likely to have a degree by age 25.RTÉ News: “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.”
- SupportedAt age 20, those whose anti-social behaviour increased reported higher depression, lower life satisfaction and less trust in others.RTÉ News: “At age 20, they also reported higher levels of depression, lower life satisfaction and less trust in others.”
- SupportedMore than one-fifth of young people reported being stopped and questioned by gardaí between ages 17 and 20.RTÉ News: “More than one-fifth reported having been stopped and questioned by gardaí between the ages of 17 and 20.”
- SupportedEmer Smyth said: “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.”RTÉ News: “"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.”
- SupportedMerike Darmody said: “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.”RTÉ News: “"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.”
