Abstract

The goal of the present study was to examine hypotheses formulated by the Failure Model of the co-occurrence of antisocial behavior and depression (Patterson e Capaldi, 1990), which states that antisocial behavior leads to individual failure in a variety of relationships and developmental tasks, and that this failure in turn leads to depression. The sample included 146 adolescents (92% of the possible sample; 86 males and 60 females). Multiple indicators were used for antisocial behavior, peer failure, failure with parents, depression, and loneliness. Using a correlational design and Structural Equation Models, results partially supported the failure model. Specifically, antisocial behavior was associated with negative and conflictual relations with parents, which were in turn associated with higher levels of depression. Results showed that the concurrent relation between antisocial behavior and depression was dependent on negative and conflictual relations with parents, thus supporting a mediational effect. It was also found that peer failure was unrelated to depression, but was positively associated with loneliness. The discussion focuses on the need to consider the failure model in multiple contexts and across multiple relationships.