This paper presents an analysis of factors associated with violent and antisocial behaviours among young Australians aged 10–14 years and examines the relationship between these behaviours and alcohol consumption.

This paper was commissioned by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) to inform the development of strategies aimed at preventing violent and antisocial behaviours among young people.

The paper, which was prepared for ARACY by the Centre for Adolescent Health, presents an analysis of factors associated with violent and antisocial behaviours among young Australians aged 10–14 years. The focus is on identifying factors that either increase or reduce the likelihood of young people engaging in violent and antisocial behaviours.

The data for the analysis come from the 2006 Healthy Neighbourhoods Project. In this project more than 8000 Year 6 and Year 8 students in 30 communities across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia were surveyed about attitudes, experiences and behaviours relevant to their health and wellbeing.

Communities were randomly selected to take part in the survey after having been stratified according to socioeconomic status and urban/rural location. Students from 15 urban areas and 15 rural areas took part. While the age of young people surveyed ranged from 10–14 years, 80% were aged 11 or 12 years.

As well as the prevalence of factors associated with violent and antisocial behaviour, the analysis also examines the relationship between these behaviours and alcohol consumption. Data are provided on the proportion of young people surveyed who have consumed alcohol, and the levels and frequency of alcohol consumption according to gender and the student’s year level.