Last update:
16-Jun-2006

This is a literature review of the relationship between depression and criminality. This complex relationship has been investigated in three groups of studies with differing methodology, namely birth cohort studies, studies comparing criminality rates between depressed subjects and controls and studies comparing the prevalence of depression in prisoners and in the general population. The three groups seem to converge to identify a higher risk of criminality and violent behavior among patients with affective disorders, especially unipolar or bipolar depression and/or dysthymia. Co-morbid personality disorders, alcohol or substance abuse and conduct disorder during childhood or adolescence are factors that increase the risk of criminality among depressed patients. Patients suffering from depression are less often involved in criminal acts, but when they are, they commit violent crimes. However, depression is widely considered to correlate negatively with criminality. Additionally, this paper examines the criminal acts with which depression is more often associated, specifically extended suicide, child homicide and shoplifting. The relationship between adolescent depression and criminal or sexual offences is discussed as well as the effect of maternal antenatal depression on criminality in male offspring in adulthood. In conclusion, thorough investigation of the link between depression and criminality is expected to improve the efficacy of prevention and treatment strategies.

Key words: Criminality, Depression, Extended suicide, Homicide.