Citation

Heerde JA, Curtis A, Bailey JA, Smith R, Hemphill SA, Toumbourou JW. J. Crim. Justice 2019; 62: 74-86.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2018.09.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE
Reciprocal prospective associations between adolescent antisocial behavior and depressive symptoms were examined.
Methods
Seventh grade students (average age 13 years; N = 2314/2348) were surveyed (T1), and then followed-up 12 (T2) and 24 months (T3) later, using the same methods in Washington State, United States and Victoria, Australia.
Results
Negative binomial regressions showed antisocial behavior (T1, T2) did not prospectively predict depressive symptoms (T2, T3). T1 multivariate predictors for T2 depressive symptoms included female gender (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.70), prior depressive symptoms (IRR = 1.06), alcohol use (IRR = 1.13), family conflict (IRR = 1.13), antisocial peers (IRR = 1.08) and bullying victimization (IRR = 1.06). Depressive symptoms (T1, T2) did not predict antisocial behavior (T2, T3). T1 multivariate predictors for T2 antisocial behavior included female gender (IRR = 0.96), age (IRR = 0.97), prior antisocial behavior (IRR = 1.32), alcohol use (IRR = 1.04), antisocial peers (IRR = 1.11) and academic failure (IRR = 1.03).
Conclusions
Depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviors showed considerable predictive stability in early adolescence but were not reciprocally related. Prevention and intervention strategies in adolescence may benefit by targeting common predictors such as alcohol, peer interactions and early symptoms for depression and antisocial behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescence; Antisocial behavior; Cross-national study; Depressive symptoms; Protective factors; Risk factors