Police Stress and Race: Using General Strain Theory to Explain Racial Differences in Police Suicide Ideation and Misconduct

• In Event: Applications of General Strain Theory

Abstract

A large body of research demonstrates the toll stress takes on police. However, with recent high-profile force incidents that have fueled distrust of police within minority communities, there is reason to expect minority officers experience stress differently than their White counterparts. The current study utilizes Agnew’s (1992) General Strain Theory to examine the relationship between stress and two problematic outcomes: suicide ideation and misconduct. Additionally, we analyze the extent to which negative affective responses mediate the stress/outcome relationship. Using data from a survey of over 1,400 police officers working in three large cities in Texas, we find that stress is significantly related to officers’ suicide ideation and acts of misconduct within both races. Although negative affective responses mediate those relationships, mediation effects are different for White and minority officers.

Authors

• Steve Bishopp, Caruth Police Institute / Dallas Police Department

• Nicole L. Piquero, University of Texas at Dallas

• Alex Piquero, University of Texas at Dallas

• John L. Worrall, The University of Texas at Dallas