What factors can affect behaviour?

At a glance

Behaviour is affected by factors relating to the person, including:

  • physical factors - age, health, illness, pain, influence of a substance or medication
  • personal and emotional factors - personality, beliefs, expectations, emotions, mental health
  • life experiences - family, culture, friends, life events
  • what the person needs and wants.

Behaviour is also affected by the context, including:

  • what is happening at the time
  • the environment - heat, light, noise, privacy
  • the response of other people, which is affected by their own physical factors, personal and emotional factors, life experiences, wants and needs.

This means that a worker needs to consider a range of factors in order to understand behaviour, including their personal response and role.

-  A person with lived experience of a mental health condition

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Current as at: Monday 20 January 2020
Contact page owner: Mental Health