Changes in delinquency according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015

Abstract

Background: Scientific literature suggests that the prevalence of delinquency amongst adolescents has decreased internationally in past decades. However, whether this change is consistent across all socioeconomic groups has not yet been studied. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine changes in delinquency amongst Finnish adolescents according to socioeconomic status between 2000 and 2015. Method: A population-based school survey was conducted biennially amongst 14-16-year-old Finns between 2000 and 2015 (n = 761,278). Distributions for delinquency and socioeconomic adversities (low parental education, not living with both parents and parental unemployment in the past year) were calculated using crosstabs. Associations between delinquency, time, and socioeconomic adversities were studied using binomial logistic regression results shown by odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Results: Delinquency was positively associated with all three socioeconomic adversities studied and cumulative socioeconomic adversity. Although the prevalence of delinquency varied only slightly between 2000 and 2015 in the overall population, it increased significantly amongst adolescents with most socioeconomic adversities. Conclusions: The findings indicate that socioeconomic differences in delinquency have increased amongst Finnish adolescents in past decades. Delinquency prevention and intervention programs should take socioeconomic adversities into account.

Changes in cannabis use according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015

“…Torikka et al ( 2017 , 2014 ) observed increased socioeconomic differences in depression and alcohol consumption among Finnish adolescents between 2000 and 2011. Similarly, Knaappila et al ( 2018 , 2019b ) observed that the prevalences of delinquency and bullying at school increased among adolescents with low socioeconomic status only. In Finland, the economic depression in the 1990s led to marked increases in unemployment (Rotko et al 2011 ).…”

“…Increased disparities in smoking may therefore have enhanced disparities in cannabis use. Increased socioeconomic health disparities have also been observed in other areas of adolescent health in Finland and other countries (Knaappila et al 2018 ; Knaappila et al 2019b ; Matthiessen et al 2014 ; Moraeus et al 2014 ; Torikka et al 2014 ; Torikka et al 2017 ). Torikka et al ( 2017 , 2014 ) observed increased socioeconomic differences in depression and alcohol consumption among Finnish adolescents between 2000 and 2011.…”

“…The measurement of adolescent SES is challenging as the final education and income levels are yet to be accomplished in adolescence. Therefore, parental SES is often used as a proxy measure of adolescent SES (Torikka et al 2014 ; Torikka et al 2017 ; Knaappila et al 2018 ; Knaappila et al 2019a ; Knaappila et al 2019b ). Low socioeconomic status is a well-established risk factor of morbidity and mortality in all age groups (Clegg et al 2009 ; Lund Jensen et al 2017 ; Rawshani et al 2016 ; Saydah et al 2013 ).…”

Factors behind a remarkable increase in adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment between 1980 and 2010 – a nationwide register study

“…Epidemiological studies have shown no increasing trend in adolescent severe depression from the 1990s to the present, either internationally or in Finland, although some studies have reported an increased prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms [33][34][35]. Externalizing problems have decreased steadily both internationally and in Finland [36]. Thus, changes in the epidemiology of disorders obviously do not explain the changes in inpatient care.…”

Changes over time in mental health symptoms among adolescents in Tampere, Finland

“…To keep track of mental health in the population and to monitor the effectiveness of interventions on mental health disorders, data on the time trends of these disorders are needed. According to time trend studies in the 2000s and 2010s, mental health problems among Finnish adolescents have not increased (15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Instead, the demand for mental health services, especially for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, has recently increased among adolescents.…”