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Attitudes Toward Police: A Comparison of Juvenile Offenders and Their Parent/Guardian

Pratt, Mercedes B
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0284-5053
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1516718923309967

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Clinical.
Police-civilian relationships are crucial in fostering collaboration of the public necessary to keep communities safe. Negative attitudes toward the police impact personal outcomes, such as internalizing symptoms and recidivism, as well as community level outcomes, such as possible public alienation from the legal system (Gau & Brunson, 2010; Hartinger-Saunders et al., 2011; Hinds, 2009; Weitzer & Brunson, 2009). Public attitudes toward the police among specific subgroups is an especially pertinent topic, as African American men are frequently involved in police-civilian conflict and unarmed shootings, in addition to being overrepresented in the justice system (Burns Institute, 2011, 2013; Chaney & Robertson, 2013; Mapping Police Violence, 2016). Both socioeconomic status (SES) and race play a significant role in the formation and maintenance of attitudes toward the police, with African Americans and individuals in low SES communities consistently expressing less positive attitudes toward the police compared to Caucasians and higher SES groups (Chermak et al., 2006; Hurst, 2000; Lacks & Gordon, 2005; Romain & Hassell, 2014; Taylor et al., 2001; Web & Marshall, 1995; Weitzer & Tusch, 2002; Wu et al., 2015). The present study examined the attitudes toward the police and mental health symptoms of incarcerated adolescents, and how their attitudes compare to their parent/guardian. Additionally, the study analyzed differences between adolescents’ attitudes on the basis of their race, SES, and criminal history. Overall, adults and youth were found to have different police attitudes, with adults having more positive attitudes. When youth were matched with their parent/guardian, youth had significantly more negative attitudes toward the police. Attitudes toward the police were not found to be related to youth mental health issues or criminal risk level. Greater youth mental health problems, specifically impacting social problems and interpersonal relationships, were associated with increased criminal risk. Results are discussed as they contribute toward the understanding of justice involvement, police attitudes, and mental health. Directions for future studies involving incarcerated youth and their families are proposed.
Carolyn Tompsett, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Eric Dubow, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Marie Tisak, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
98 p.
Clinical Psychology; Criminology; Psychology
juvenile justice; clinical psychology; parent-child relationships; police; attitudes;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pratt, M. B. (2018). Attitudes Toward Police: A Comparison of Juvenile Offenders and Their Parent/Guardian [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1516718923309967

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pratt, Mercedes. Attitudes Toward Police: A Comparison of Juvenile Offenders and Their Parent/Guardian. 2018. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1516718923309967.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pratt, Mercedes. "Attitudes Toward Police: A Comparison of Juvenile Offenders and Their Parent/Guardian." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1516718923309967

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1516718923309967
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