Melissa Thompson and Kimberly Barsamian Kahn
The purpose of this paper is to understand whether mental health status – either alone or in conjunction with race – affects perceptions of police legitimacy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand whether mental health status – either alone or in conjunction with race – affects perceptions of police legitimacy.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data collected from Portland, Oregon residents (n=259), this research examines predictors of trust in the police.
Findings
Results show that individuals with a history of mental illness are similar to African-American respondents: both are especially distrustful of the police. The combination of race and mental illness does not appear to create additional levels of distrust.
Social implications
This research suggests there are important racial and mental health disparities in perceived police legitimacy, and that these disparities will need to be addressed for the police to successfully combat crime and encourage compliance with the law.
Originality/value
Although research has consistently highlighted how race affects perceptions of police legitimacy, research has not yet examined whether mental health status affects perceptions of police legitimacy; in addition to race, this paper highlights the unique perspectives of individuals with mental health concerns regarding policing.
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Melissa Thompson, Kimberly Barsamian Kahn, Jean McMahon and Madeline O’Neil
Previous research on community attitudes toward the police focuses on suspect race as an important predictor of attitudes toward law enforcement and police use of force…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research on community attitudes toward the police focuses on suspect race as an important predictor of attitudes toward law enforcement and police use of force. Generally, missing from these studies, however, is the role of mental illness, both independently and in conjunction with race, and its effect on perceptions of police. This chapter summarizes our recent research addressing two issues: (1) how race and mental illness of suspects affect perceptions of the appropriateness of police use of force, and (2) how race and mental illness of citizens affect perceptions of police.
Methodology/approach
We examine these issues by summarizing research obtained through The Portland Race and Mental Illness Project (PRMIP), a survey administered to residents of Portland, Oregon. For our first topic, we use an experimental vignette that randomly alters race and mental health status of suspects. For our second topic, we ask respondents to self-report race, mental health status, and perceptions of the police.
Findings
Our dual focus provides two key findings: first, citizens’ perceptions of police use of force are affected by suspect race and mental health status. Second, like Black citizens, citizens with mental illness also have a negative impression of law enforcement.
Originality/value
Our research builds on research indicating racial disparity in trust in police by showing that mental illness – both that of the respondent and that of a suspect – affects attitudes toward the police. These results suggest that mental health status affects attitudes toward law enforcement and should be considered in future research and public policy.
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Stephen L. Vargo, Robert F. Lusch, Melissa Archpru Akaka and Yi He
Bernardo Figueiredo, Nacima Ourahmoune, Pilar Rojas, Severino J. N. Pereira, Daiane Scaraboto and Marcia Christina Ferreira
Abstract
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Isobel Sheard, Melissa Ellen Burnett and Helen St Clair-Thompson
Police personnel report relatively high rates of mental health difficulties, and are at an increased risk of experiencing stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress and anxiety…
Abstract
Purpose
Police personnel report relatively high rates of mental health difficulties, and are at an increased risk of experiencing stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress and anxiety as a result of the nature of their work and may also experience low compassion satisfaction. However, it is likely that the prevalence of psychological distress varies across roles. The purpose of this paper is to explore psychological distress, in a large sample of police personnel, examining differences between individuals in a number of police roles.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire assessing experience of mental health problems, perceived stress, compassion fatigue (burnout and secondary traumatic stress), compassion satisfaction and anxiety was administered to 602 police personnel, who were classified into one of ten roles (24/7 officers, communications, firearms, crime, resolution without deployment, neighbourhood, custody, safeguarding, operations and other roles). Differences based on role and the requirement for shift work were then examined.
Findings
24/7 officers had higher compassion fatigue and lower compassion satisfaction than individuals in a number of other roles. Firearms officers had lower levels of perceived stress and anxiety. Resolution without deployment officers reported higher secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. The findings also revealed that respondents who partake in shift work showed higher levels of perceived stress.
Originality/value
This is the first study to the authors’ knowledge to investigate experience of mental health problems and reports of psychological distress in different roles within a UK police force. The findings have important implications, for example, in terms of identifying groups who may be particularly at risk from psychological distress.
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Emotions are complex concepts involving multiple systems within the body and mind. How, when and for what purpose emotions are expressed is based on context and relationships. In…
Abstract
Emotions are complex concepts involving multiple systems within the body and mind. How, when and for what purpose emotions are expressed is based on context and relationships. In this chapter I take a relational view of emotion and emotion regulation as applied in classroom settings. I first discuss the concepts of emotion and emotion regulation before exploring the physical, social and psychological processes involved in both producing and regulating emotions. Although teachers use, respond to and regulate emotions as part of their everyday work, I suggest that teachers are underprepared for the extent of the emotion work they encounter, or the cost it may have on their emotional reserves. The requirements to successfully navigate emotions in today's educational environment are underappreciated. Only when we acknowledge the relational and cognitive tasks required of teachers under the demand of multiple relationships and the constraints of the responsibilities placed upon them can we fully appreciate the magnitude of the endeavour.
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Melissa Yoong and Nourhan Mohamed
While past research has explored how opting-out enables mothers to break free from masculinist organizational cultures, less attention has been given to how they resist…
Abstract
Purpose
While past research has explored how opting-out enables mothers to break free from masculinist organizational cultures, less attention has been given to how they resist disciplinary power that constitutes and governs their subjectivities. This paper aims to add to the discussion of opting-out as a site of power and resistance by proposing the concept of “constructive resistance” as a productive vantage point for investigating opted-out mothers' subversive practices of self-making.
Design/methodology/approach
This Malaysian case study brings together the notion of constructive resistance, critical narrative analysis and APPRAISAL theory to examine the reflective stories of eighteen mothers who exited formal employment. These accounts were collected through an open-ended questionnaire and semi-structured email interviews.
Findings
The mothers in the sample tend to construct themselves in two main ways, as (1) valuable mothers (capable, tireless, caring mothers who are key figures in their children's lives) and (2) competent professionals. These subjectivities are parasitic on gendered and neoliberal ideals but allow the mothers to undermine neoliberal capitalist work arrangements that were incongruent with their personal values and adversely impacted their well-being, as well as refuse organizational narratives that positioned them as “failed” workers.
Originality/value
Whereas power is primarily seen in previous opting-out scholarship as centralized and constraining, this case study illustrates how the lens of constructive resistance can be beneficial for examining opted-out mothers' struggles against a less direct form of power that governs through the production of truths and subjectivities.
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Melissa St James and Natasa Christodoulidou
The purpose of this paper is to further examine factors influencing the intention to drink wine. Building on studies conducted among British and Australian wine drinkers, this…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to further examine factors influencing the intention to drink wine. Building on studies conducted among British and Australian wine drinkers, this study was undertaken among Southern California wine drinkers in an effort to provide cross‐cultural comparison of wine consumption motivations and intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a two‐step methodology (including qualitative interviews and surveys), the influence of both attitudes and subjective norms on the intention to drink wine is examined.
Findings
This current research shows a significant influence of the perceived health benefits of wine consumption among Southern California wine drinkers.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to Southern California wine consumers and may lack generalizability. Future research endeavors should focus on expanding the study to include a wider population within the USA and include analysis of additional variables such as gender, ethnicity, amount and type of wine consumed, and others, as related to the intention to drink wine.
Practical implications
By further refining the target consumer group most likely to respond to a marketing message revolving around perceived health benefits, marketers can precisely craft appropriate and effective campaigns. Responsibly touting the health benefits of moderate wine consumption, within the US Tax and Trade Bureau's guidelines, to Southern California wine drinkers could be an effective marketing technique.
Originality/value
The paper's most important finding is the emergence of the perceived health benefits of wine consumption as being influential on the intention to drink wine.