Using a Mediation Moderation Model to Examine Exposure to Videos of Police Use of Force in Media, Police Contact Anxiety, Grit, and Suicidality Among Black Emerging Adult College Students

Objective: Suicidality (thinking about, planning, and attempt) is a growing public health concern for Black emerging adult college students in the United States due to increased rates among this population. The goal of this cross-sectional study is to examine the mediating role of police contact anxiety (PCA) and the moderating role of grit in the relationship between exposure to videos of police use of force in the media (i.e., television and Internet) and suicidality. Method: We administered computer-assisted surveys to 300 Black emerging adult college students ages 18–29 years. Results: Mediation analysis revealed that the effect of exposure to videos of police use of force on suicidality was partially mediated by PCA. Moderation analyses found that exposure to videos of police use of force only predicted suicidality at a low level of grit. Conclusions: These findings highlight the psychological toll of exposure to police use of force in media and grit’s protective role. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.