Date of Award

10-2022

Document Type

Doctoral Research Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Julie S. Costopoulos

Second Advisor

Theodore G. Petersen

Third Advisor

Patrick J. Aragon

Fourth Advisor

Robert A. Taylor

Abstract

Literature has shown that individuals who have been incarcerated have difficulty in obtaining jobs after incarceration; therefore, ex-convicts are predicted to have an increased rate of depression and anxiety symptoms as opposed to the overall general public. However, little literature supports this theory, and little to no literature has been published with regards to individuals who have been apprehended. This study investigates the depression and anxiety levels of those who have an arrest record and have difficulty maintaining or finding employment. The sample’s arrest history and unemployment history were measured through self-reporting measures. Additionally, depression was measured through Beck’s Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) and anxiety was measured through Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). It was hypothesized by the researchers that participants with a public adult arrest history would experience greater unemployment than those without a public adult arrest history and this was supported by our results. It was also hypothesized by the researchers that a public adult arrest history and unemployment would predict anxiety levels. This was supported for adult arrest, but not supported by our small sample of public adult arrest or unemployment. It was found that adult arrest predicted higher anxiety levels; however, unemployment and public arrest did not predict anxiety levels in either direction. The third hypothesis stated that a public adult arrest history and unemployment will predict

depression levels, which was partially supported. It was found that adult arrest predicted higher depression levels; however, unemployment and public adult arrest did not predict depression levels in either direction. The results of this study offer insight into how public arrests, which involve an aspect of disgrace, guilt, and embarrassment, influence the anxiety or depression of those who have a history of adult arrests. This study also demonstrates the impact that an adult arrest has on an individual’s psychological state.

Comments

Copyright held by author

Download

Share

COinS