Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jennifer Schriver

Second Advisor

Kevin Bolinskey

Third Advisor

Veanne Anderson

Abstract

This study examines whether an association exists between police contact and firearm carriage. Additionally, the present study examines whether the intrusiveness of police contact has an association with firearm carriage. Questionnaires measuring participant demographics, perceptions of the police, contact with the police, and firearm carriage were administered to 222 participants recruited through undergraduate psychology courses at a state university in the Midwest. Results indicated that participants with a history of contact with the police were more likely to carry a firearm than participants with no contact with the police. Regarding frequency of firearm carriage, participants with a history of police contact reported firearm carriage on significantly more days compared to participants who did not experience police contact. Results did not find a relationship between intrusiveness of police contact and firearm carriage. A significant relationship was found between firearm carriage and perceptions of the police, such that individuals with less favorable attitudes toward the police reported greater firearm carriage both in presence and frequency. These results build on extant research and help to further understand the significant impact the police have on citizens when they interact, regardless of how intrusive that interaction may be.

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