Overall this thesis explores the development of behavioural difficulties in young people, focus sing upon familial, child and environmental factors. The first part of this thesis is a narrative literature review which explores the negative outcomes of parental negative (or hostile) attributions with regard to their child's behaviour. It further argues that diagnoses of behavioural disorders (conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder) can significantly exacerbate parental negative attributions towards their child, with damaging effects to the parent-child relationship. Secondly, a research paper is presented which focusses upon parents' understandings of their child's journey into offending behaviours using a narrative interviewing and analysis approach. The findings were interpreted as a developmental pathway where the child and family experienced cumulative traumas and loss, with no validation or resolution, which led to them going into a 'survival mode'. The families continued to feel unheard, despite seeking validation in their interactions with services. This 'survival mode' continued to be reinforced through further traumatic events, and a perceived lack of safety and justice in the wider community. The third section is a critical review which builds upon the discussion in the research paper by describing the process of the interviews, and the impact of the narrative approach. This approach is further discussed within the context of how the parents, or families, may present to mental health services. Clinical and research implications are discussed within all three papers.