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Sex Differences in Associations Between Adolescent Psychopathology and Delinquency.
Louise C S Smallenburg1,2, Pascalle Spaan1, Nina H Grootendorst-van Mil1,3
1Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
JAACAP Open
|December 10, 2025
Summary
Adolescent psychopathology, particularly ADHD and conduct problems, predicts later delinquent behavior. However, these links differ between boys and girls, indicating distinct developmental pathways.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- Adolescent psychopathology is a significant concern with potential long-term consequences.
- Understanding the link between mental health issues and delinquency is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research suggests a connection, but sex differences require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in the longitudinal associations between adolescent psychopathology and delinquent behavior.
- To examine specific psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, and conduct problems, in relation to delinquency.
- To explore how these associations vary between adolescent males and females.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, population-based cohort study in the Netherlands with oversampling for emotional and behavioral problems.
- Inclusion of 725 adolescents assessed at mean age 15 years using multi-informant standardized assessments.
- Logistic regression models were used to test associations between psychopathology and self-reported delinquency at age 18, with exploration of sex-psychopathology interactions.
Main Results:
- 21% of adolescents reported serious delinquent behavior at follow-up.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct problems at age 15 significantly predicted serious delinquent behavior at age 18.
- ADHD was associated with delinquency in boys but not girls; anxiety problems showed a protective association with delinquency in cross-sectional analyses at age 18.
Conclusions:
- Psychopathological problems in adolescence are linked to serious delinquent behavior, with notable variations between sexes.
- The pathways connecting psychiatric conditions to delinquent behavior appear to differ across adolescent males and females.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering sex-specific factors in understanding and addressing the comorbidity of psychopathology and delinquency.
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