MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Consequences of fearing police: Associations with youths' mental health and felt obligation to obey both the law and school rules

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2022

ISSN: 0047-2352

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCRIMJUS.2022.101934

Abstract: The procedural justice framework suggests that negative perceptions of the police are linked to crime-related behavior. General strain theory could illuminate a key mechanism; negative perceptions of the police might undermine the obligation to obey laws and rules through promoting strain and psychological distress. This study integrated these two theoretical perspectives to examine whether youths' fear of the police might undermine their felt obligation to obey authority institutions, including the law and school, through promoting psychological distress. Children (N = 342) ages 10–12 were sampled in November of 2020. Consistent with theoretical expectations, children's fear of the police was indirectly associated with their felt obligation to obey both the law and school rules through undermining their mental health. These findings have implications for policy, practice, and research; youths' fear of the police may undermine their mental health and may have downstream consequences on their felt obligation to obey not only the law, but also school rules.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Fine, Adam D.; Del Toro, Juan; Orosco, Carlena

Periodical (Full): Journal of Criminal Justice

Issue:

Volume: 83

Pages: 101934

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop