Do Adolescents Engage in Delinquency to Cope with Depressive Symptoms? Revisiting the Longitudinal Link Between Delinquency and Depressive Symptoms While Considering Moderation by Ethnicity, Adolescent Phase, and Gender

Abstract The co-occurrence between delinquency and depression in adolescence is well-documented. However, Psychology (Failure model Acting out Model) Criminology (Strain Theory) theories are divided on the potential longitudinal link these two behaviors empirical studies show mixed findings. present 3-wave study tested opposing theories, using cross-lagged panel modeling an ethnically socio-economically diverse sample (T1: N =602; M age = 13.50 ( SD 1.23); 46.4% female). Furthermore, we investigated whether moderation by ethnicity (non-Western ethnic minority versus Western majority [i.e., Dutch]) or adolescent phase gender (early girls mid-late early boys boys) were present. For total sample, results showed that higher levels of predicted lower depressive symptoms, consistent with Strain theory suggests adolescents may resort to cope depression. As for significant links: (1) symptoms theory), especially girls, (2) model) (3) (Acting theory) boys. Although no effects found, strain reported significantly more (T1 T3) but not than adolescents. Thus, findings found previous could be because gender-by-adolescent-phase overlooked. Implications model, Failure discussed.