Using a community-engaged approach to examine associations between exposure to the legal system and depressive symptoms among Central Brooklyn residents

• In Event: Community Engaged Research on Crime and Justice

Abstract

There are currently more than 5.4 million individuals engaged with the criminal legal system (CLS) in the U.S. This study examined the relationship between indirect (observing violent interactions with law enforcement, having a loved one who was arrested, incarcerated, etc.) and direct (experiencing stops, frisks, incarceration, etc.) exposure to the CLS and depressive symptoms among Central Brooklyn residents. Participants were identified using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) and convenience sampling strategies. We interviewed 207 residents as part of a coalition of agencies interested in promoting equitable public safety practices. We collected information on demographics, CLS exposure and used the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) to measure depressive symptoms. The sample was predominantly Black (72%) and female (50.3%), with an average age of 43 (SD=17). Over a third had a high school degree or less. Our findings indicated that there is widespread exposure to the CLS among Central Brooklyn residents; 54.6% had indirect exposure while 61.4% reported direct exposure. There was a statistically significant relationship between direct and indirect exposure and greater risk for depressive symptoms among Black residents. Our results suggest that alternatives to public safety should be considered while enabling access to mental health resources to support individuals impacted by the CLS.

Authors

• Tawandra Rowell-Cunsolo, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Courtney Blanford, University of Wisconsin-Madison