Exploring Community-Based Methods for Measuring the Prevalence and Mental Health Impact of Perceived Racism-Based Police Encounters Among Black & Latinx Emerging Adults

Background: Emerging research highlights racism-related experiences as a significant public health issue for Black and Latinx emerging adults in the U.S. This is due to both the widespread nature of these incidents and their mental health impact. Nonetheless, there is a noticeable gap in empirical research regarding the frequency and associated mental health outcomes of perceived racism-based police violence (RPV) exposure for these demographic groups. Our research begins to address this gap by utilizing a community-based approach to pilot and validate the RPV exposure scales (victim, witness, seen via media) with Black and Latinx emerging adults and examine associated trauma stress symptoms (anxiety, depression, psychological distress).

Method: First, 10 community advisory board members (3 Black and 7 Latinx emerging adults) and three content experts were used to assess the face and content validity of survey items. Next, cognitive interviews were conducted with Black (n = 20) and Latinx (n = 30) emerging adults residing in Miami, FL, Orlando, FL, Boston, MA, or St. Louis, MO. A synthesis and reduction analysis of data from cognitive interviews was performed to ascertain whether the survey items measuring RPV exposure were being successfully comprehended and if participants responded with information that matched what is desired by each survey item. Lastly, Black (n = 400) and Latinx (n = 600) emerging adults were also recruited through Qualtrics Panels to complete computer-assisted surveys. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural paths were used to examine the construct validity of the RPV exposure scales, and regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between RPV exposure and trauma stress symptoms.

Results: Data from cognitive interviews and suggestions from community advisory board members and content experts resulted in 12-items that assessed the frequency of RPV exposure as a victim, 12-items for RPV exposure as a witness, and 10-items for RPV exposure via media. All three RPV exposure scales showed construct validity, internal reliability, and measurement invariance between men and women and Black and Latinx. Additionally, higher rates of RPV exposure were significantly associated with an increase in the level of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress symptoms.

Conclusion and Implications: This research enhances our epidemiological methods in measuring the prevalence of RPV exposure for Black and Latinx emerging adults and demonstrates that RPV exposure as a victim, witness, or via media can significantly impact the mental health of both populations of emerging adults. It is imperative that social workers engaging in client and community work use culturally sensitive approaches and interventions tailored to address the unique mental health needs of Black and Latinx individuals who have been affected by RPV exposure. Furthermore, future research examining the long-term prevalence and mental health impact of RPV exposure is warranted.