Searched, Stopped, and Questioned: Police Interactions and Positive Future Orientation among Chicago Residents

• In Event: Direct and Indiract Police Contact: Perceptions and Implications

Abstract

Positive future orientation describes how people develop goals, express hope for the future, and express confidence in their ability to overcome obstacles. In the sociological context, positive future orientation explores how Black and other minority youth view and discuss their future given their direct and vicarious interactions with police. Research finds that interactions with police (regardless of the regularity, outcomes, and perceived fairness or unfairness) are associated with feelings of hopelessness, depression symptoms, suicidal ideation, and poor positive future orientation.

This study draws on 41 interviews with Chicago residents. This work aims to analyze data on participants’ experiences with police throughout their life course and the association to positive future orientation. More specifically, this work explores the association between mental health outcomes and experiences with policing among Chicago residents.

Understanding how Chicago residents’ positive future orientation is associated with their experiences with Chicago policing has implications for improving Chicago policing, public safety, and addressing negative mental health outcomes.

Author

• Marquianna Griffin, The Ohio State University