The Underlying Mechanisms of the Bidirectional Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Delinquency among Dutch Adolescents

Abstract

Depression and delinquency among adolescents are two actual problems in the Netherlands. During adolescence, depression and delinquency can have a large influence on adolescents’ lives later on. Both depressive symptoms and delinquency can lead to serious problems in life, such as a weaker school performance or a criminal record. Earlier research found a bidirectional relationship between depression and delinquency. The aim of the current study was to investigate the bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and delinquency, including the underlying mechanisms of cannabis use and peer rejection among Dutch adolescents. No studies have investigated the bidirectional relationship with these mediators included before. Longitudinal data from the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey study (TRAILS) were used to answer the research questions. The data were gathered by questionnaires. Participants were 1,615 Dutch adolescents in the ages 10-18 years (Mage = 10.58, 46.6% boys). No support was found for the conjecture of a significant bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and delinquency. These results provide insight into the approach of depressive symptoms and delinquency which should be separately and sex-specific to establish a healthy and prosperous society.