New PRISM Research Links Perceived Police Injustice to Juvenile Aggression

New research from the PRISM lab recently made the news (at IUPUI) again! The article, authored by Dr. Zapolski, Devin Banks, and two colleagues examined the link between perceived police injustice and juvenile aggression as a function of acceptance of moral standards. The study found that youth who do not believe they must adhere with ethical standards are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior--but only when they also perceive police injustice. As the study was conducted among juvenile offenders, it may help us understand not only individual risk for delinquency and recidivism, but also the contextual risk posed by community factors such as policing. 

The study, entitle "Perceived Police Injustice, Moral Disengagement, and Aggression Among Juvenile Offenders: Utilizing the General Strain Theory Model" was published in August in Child Psychiatry & Human Development. Learn more about the study and read what the authors had to say about it at news.iu.edu.