Gendered Perspectives On Depression and Antisocial Behaviors

Abstract

Although the association between antisocial behavior and depression has been widely supported, the direction and temporal order of this relationship are not fully understood in childhood and adolescence. Patterson and Capaldi formulated a failure model to explain how antisocial behaviors may cause and reinforce depression. Although co-occurring internalizing problems are commonly diagnosed in girls, few studies have examined the onset and progression of antisocial behavior and depression in female adolescents using prospective data that allow for a thorough investigation of the dynamics of this relationship. The present study extends previous research by examining the relationship between gender, crime, and depressive symptoms in youths participating in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. Overall, there was mixed support for failure theory.