Police Violence Exposure and Associated Health Outcomes Among Latinx Adults in the United States: An Integrative Review

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2024 Dec;25(5):4204-4215. doi: 10.1177/15248380241270078. Epub 2024 Aug 20.

Abstract

Police violence exposure among Latinx adults in the United States is increasingly concerning due to its prevalence and associated risks for adverse mental, behavioral, and physical health outcomes. This integrative review appraised studies published from 2003 to 2023 that examine the relationship between police violence exposure and negative health outcomes in Latinx adults. Using structured search terms, articles were identified in APA PsycInfo and PubMed databases, supplemented by a gray literature search and citation mining. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate a significant positive association between police violence exposure and adverse mental (n = 9), behavioral (n = 2), and physical (n = 1) health outcomes. The results underscore the mental, behavioral, and physical health consequences of police violence exposure for Latinx adults. Given the increasing Latinx population in the United States, further research is needed to better understand this relationship and inform interventions.

Keywords: Latinx; adults; health; police violence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exposure to Violence* / psychology
  • Exposure to Violence* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Hispanic or Latino* / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Police*
  • United States / epidemiology