Brief report: Delinquent behaviour and depression in middle adolescence: a Finnish community sample

A large number (N 50 569) of 14–16 year old Finnish adolescents taking part in the School Health Promotion Study were surveyed for delinquent behaviour in relation to depression. The results indicate a robust association between delinquency and depression. Among girls risk for depression varied between 1.3 and 3.1 according to various antisocial behaviours (the equivalent risk among boys was 1.3–2.5). Depression increased according to the frequency of delinquent behaviour. The results emphasize the importance of comprehensive clinical assessment and treatment of delinquent adolescents.