Journal
JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Volume 40, Issue 1, Pages 27-45Publisher
GUILFORD PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1521/jscp.2021.40.1.27
Keywords
police; depression; African American; respect
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The study found that African American adolescents had higher levels of initial depression compared to other racial/ethnic groups, and police exchanges predicted changes in depression for this group. Perceived respect played a role in predicting depression levels and changes for both groups.
Introduction: We examined police exchanges' and feelings of discrimination's impact on changes in adolescent depression symptoms. Relative to other races, police speak more disrespectfully to African Americans and often exert unnecessary force. We investigated the impact of these exchanges on depression. Methods: Adolescent Health Study data were analyzed. Latent growth curve modeling with mediation illustrated relationships between police exchanges, perceived discrimination, and depression changes. Results: African American adolescents had significantly higher levels of initial depression than other racial/ethnic identity groups. For African Americans, police exchanges predicted depression changes. Perceived respect predicted levels and changes of depression for both groups, but mediated the relationship between police exchanges and depression changes only in the other racial/ethnic identity group. Discussion: Police stoppings impacted depression changes for African Americans independent of perceived respect. Findings highlight a potentially unique relationship between depression and police exchanges among African Americans. Future studies may investigate roles of individual differences.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available