Date of Conferral

10-20-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Tracy Marsh

Abstract

Incidents of publicized police violence against Black Americans have increased significantly, expanding the exposure and vicarious experiences involving these events, resulting in poor mental health and mistrust of law enforcement among Black Americans. Due to much of the literature focusing on Black men, the purpose of this study is to compare the perceptions of police and the mental health of Black men and Black women who have experienced vicarious police violence. Understanding this relationship would aid in better understanding how Black women's experiences are essential and need to be considered when discussing the effects of police violence in the Black community. The theoretical framework of this paper combined critical race theory, intersectionality, and the minority stress model. The present study was a quantitative comparative cross-sectional design that examined the variables of gender, perceptions of police, and mental health of 86 Black Americans who experienced vicarious police violence. The Perceptions of Police and Symptom Checklist 90 General Severity Scale was used to determine the Black Americans' perceptions of police and mental health. The study found no significant difference between the perceptions of police and the mental health of Black men and Black women. This data indicated that Black women were just as affected by police violence as Black men; therefore, researchers should include Black women in explorations and discussions about police violence in the Black community. Positive social change is enacted by deepening the understanding of police violence, its mental health effects, and how the Black society perceives law enforcement.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS