In the FBI threat assessment model, which prong assesses other connections such as peers at school, substance use, and other activities?

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Contextual factors about the person’s life are examined here. This prong looks at the social and environmental context—the connections with peers at school, involvement in activities, and any substance use or other lifestyle patterns—and how those factors influence risk. It matters because who a student spends time with and what they do regularly can raise or lower the likelihood of problematic behavior, independent of what the person has said or planned. For example, strong, positive peer and school connections can serve as protective factors, while affiliations with risky peer groups or ongoing substance use can heighten risk. The other prongs focus more on the content of threats and the individual’s capability or intent, not on these social-contextual connections.