This exploratory research examined the level of support and correlates of public support for using Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to prevent credit card fraud. Based on the results from a Pew Research Survey Trends on the American Trends Panel, the study investigated two questions. First, what is the level of public support for using FRT to verify the identity of credit card holders? Second, which factors are most influential in supporting FRT use in retail environments? Our preliminary study demonstrated modest support for FRT in preventing credit card fraud and identified multiple factors that either positively or negatively affected support for its use. Black respondents showed less support for FRT use in retail settings than other racial/ethnic groups. Older male respondents, and more active internet users, were more supportive of FRT use to prevent credit card fraud. Conversely, those with liberal political leanings and reporting higher levels of education were less supportive of FRT use. We conclude by advocating for more research on public support for FRT in private spaces.

Using primary socialization theory (PST), an integrated learning theory involving family, school, and peer influences on youth behavior, we examined past year cocaine use among adolescents. The data for the study came from the NSDUH (2016-2019), a nationally representative survey of American youth which includes self-reported past year cocaine use, PST constructs, and covariates. The results from complex-survey binomial logistic regression indicated poor parental bonds, poor school bonds, and associating with substance using peers (primary components of PST) had links with past year cocaine use. Further, the results indicated associating with substance using peers had the strongest link with past year cocaine use as PST hypothesized. However, we were not able to provide evidence of the theory's interaction hypothesis between poor parental bonds, poor school bonds, and associating with substance using peers. The limitations and implications for future research are noted.

This study examines prosecutorial decision-making for seeking the death penalty in Kentucky death-eligible cases between 2000 and 2016. The analysis includes both propensity score matching (PSM) and logistic regression. PSM allows researchers to better identify sentencing disparities in sentencing concerning the defendant and victim’s race. Using both sets of official court records compiled by the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy and the Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office, we examined all death-eligible Kentucky homicide cases from 2000 to 2016 ( N = 944). The results offer support to the Focal Concerns theory. Prosecutors treated defendants who took a female’s life as more blameworthy. Unlike previous Kentucky-based studies, homicide cases featuring a Black defendant and a White victim did not attract prosecutorial attention. The findings support that protection of the community is the foremost reason why a prosecutor would seek the death penalty.

The purpose of this study was to determine the measures associated with the action of covering a webcam after victimization to protect privacy. The paper tested the core tenets of two theories: self-control theory and social learning theory. In the paper, the hypotheses that individuals with low self-control are likely to use a webcam covering after victimization because they have been made aware of the consequences of not doing so is tested. Further, the hypothesis that individuals with larger amounts of differential association off and on-line are more likely to use webcam coverings. A random sample of individuals from the United States were used. The results support both hypotheses. Those with low self-control are more likely to use a webcam covering after they have been victimized because they are aware of the consequences. In addition, the results show individuals with larger amounts of differential association off and on-line are more likely to use webcam coverings. The larger effect is in favor of differential association (i.e., social learning theory) suggesting a learning component to this behavior.

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to examine the links between primary socialization sources and the past year non-medical use of prescription pain relievers among adolescents.MethodsThe data for the study came from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (2016-2019). Specifically, self-reported past year non-medical use of prescription pain relievers, Primary Socialization Theory (PST) constructs, and control measures was used.ResultsThe results from binomial complex survey logistic regression indicated poor parental bonds, poor school bonds, and associating with substance using peers had links with past year non-medical use of prescription pain relievers.ConclusionFurther, the results indicated associating with substance using peers had the strongest link with past year non-medical use of prescription pain relievers hypothesized by the theory. The limitations and implications for future research are noted.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the links between measures of social learning theory, self-control theory, and general strain theory and adolescent binge drinking. Using data from the Monitoring the Future 2019 Survey 2, the results indicate support for all three of the theories. In particular, soft drug using peers, personality version of low self-control, and depression all had links with adolescent binge drinking. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed below.

This qualitative pilot study was funded by a federal micro-grant to seek to fill a void in the literature on police legitimacy. The focus of this pilot study was to determine if collaborative art therapy and training can change the perceptions of police legitimacy held by individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) or the perceptions of the police toward individuals with SUD. Besides the collaborative activities, individuals with SUD and police officers were provided with therapy and/or training sessions during the period of collaboration. The methodology for this study included the use of electronic survey instruments to evaluate any changes in perception. These instruments were administered anonymously before and after all therapy, training, and collaboration activities occurred. Each instrument contained open-ended questions relating to Police Legitimacy Scale (PLS) (Tankebe et al., 2016) categories, as well as additional measures. Analysis included qualitative methods to provide context and identify themes for content analysis. Findings did not confirm change overall however, positive responses support police legitimacy, perceptual changes and relationship building. Recommendations are made for relationship building through increased interaction, excluding enforcement activities between individuals with SUD and the police using collaborative projects such as art therapy.

Mental Health Courts (MHCs) are a type of treatment court created to divert offenders with mental illness away from incarceration and into community-based treatment. While research on the impact of MHCs on recidivism has produced mixed results, there is a need to determine whether MHCs are effective. In light of this need, and of public support for the balanced justice approach toward mentally ill offenders, this study aims to assess the impact of MHC participation on recidivism. As such, the current study is a systematic review and a meta-analysis which replicates a study conducted by Lowder and colleagues while incorporating modifications to the methodology to reflect the new Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to determine the effect of MHC participation on recidivism. Results from the 15 included studies show a significant reduction (42.46%) in recidivism for individuals who participated in MHC treatment program. Policy implications, in light of the MHC model's reduction in recidivism and alignment with the ideals of balanced justice, are discussed.

This qualitative study seeks to fill a gap in the literature by providing state police agencies with specific strategies to improve diversity recruitment and hiring. Enhanced agency legitimacy is discussed as a potential by-product of creating a more diverse workforce. The intent of this study is not to evaluate legitimacy or prove diversity recruitment will positively affect the overall perceptions of agency legitimacy. Seven focus groups of sworn female (n = 15) and minority (n = 23) state police officers from a mid-south state police agency are organized to provide insight into diversity recruiting challenges and strategies. We conducted thematic analysis to isolate the themes from the focus groups. The themes resulted in a compilation of diversity recruitment strategies. Additional strategies were added based on the literature. Recommendations are provided for improving diversity recruitment and hiring within state police agencies through a holistic approach.

The difference in depression between non-cyberbullied and cyberbullied youth is not well understood. To describe the prevalence and trends in depression among cyberbullied adolescents. Using cross-sectional, nationally-representative data from the YRBS 2011 - 2019, we estimated the prevalence and trends of depression across the total years and within cyberbullied groups that include biological sex and race and ethnicity among adolescents. The results indicated the prevalence of depression was higher among those that were cyberbullied. Within the cyberbullied groups the total trend was higher than the non-cyberbullied, females had a higher prevalence of depression than males, and Hispanics had a higher prevalence of depression than blacks. Further, the results showed the trends for cyberbullied, males, females, whites, and blacks had significant linear increases, but Hispanics remained stable. Further, the non-cyberbullied trend was quadratic where there was no change from 2011-2015, but an increase occurred between 2015-2019. Depression is high among adolescents. It appears to be increasing among individuals that are cyberbullied, with the exception of Hispanics. These results are discussed with programming recommendations.