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mass shootings

·January 24, 2023·6 min read

Horror and Anguish Are Playing Out on Repeat Following the Latest Mass Shooting, and the Mental Health Scars Extend Far Beyond Those Directly Affected

Experiencing significant trauma due to being the victim or a first responder to a mass shooting leads to serious mental health disorders including PTSD, anxiety, and survivor's guilt. However, the effect of such an event extends beyond those directly affected. Researchers explore how mass shootings spark anxiety and fear, and can have negative implications on mental health for those who are not directly associated with the event.

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·October 31, 2022·4 min read

Mass School Shootings Are Not Caused by Mental Illness

Most perpetrators of mass school shootings do not suffer from severe mental illness, a new study reports. When psychosis is present, mass murderers in an academic setting use means other than firearms to commit their crimes. Consistent with previous findings, the majority of mass school shooters are male and caucasian, and almost half of school shooting episodes end with the perpetrator's suicide.

This shows a sad little boy sitting on a beach looking at the sea

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 28, 2022·3 min read

Coping With School Shootings

In the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, psychologists report on the best way to address such tragedies to young children and explore how to help teachers and those directly affected by the events.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 9, 2021·5 min read

Unmedicated, Untreated Brain Illness Is Likely in Mass Shooters

A new analysis of medical evidence of domestic mass shooters in the US reveals the majority of those who commit mass shootings have underlying and untreated mental health conditions.

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·September 16, 2019·5 min read

Violent video games blamed more often for school shootings by white perpetrators

Video games are often blamed as a cause of mass shootings, especially if the perpetrator is white. When it comes to perpetrators of other racial backgrounds, people are more likely to assume they are involved in violent criminal activities. Blaming gaming for school shootings perpetrated by white people, and thereby providing an unfounded excuse for their actions, is a sign of a larger racial issue. Similar excuses aren't extended to people of other racial backgrounds. Instead, they are viewed as more culpable for their crimes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 6, 2019·6 min read

Guns and mental illness – The facts and consequences of using a blanket term so vaguely

Despite widespread propaganda, people with mental illnesses only commit 3-4% of all violent acts within the U.S in any given year. Mental health conditions are more strongly associated with suicide, not homicide. Restricting access to guns for those with mental health issues does not take into account those who already own guns and develop mental health conditions over their lifetime. Researchers say, given the climate of blame, people with severe mental health disorders may be dissuaded from seeking treatment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 5, 2019·2 min read

Statement of APA President in Response to Mass Shootings in Texas and Ohio

"Routinely blaming mass shootings on mental illness is unfounded and stigmatizing. Research has shown that only a very small percentage of violent acts are committed by people who are diagnosed with, or in treatment for, mental illness."

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2018·6 min read

What Mass Shootings do to Those Not Shot: Social Consequences of Gun Violence

Researchers report on the social and psychological consequences exposure to mass shootings have on survivors, first responders and the community as a whole.

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·September 3, 2018·3 min read

Gun Owners are More Politically Active

A new study reports American gun owners are exhibiting increased levels of political participation, not only by voting but also donating to candidate funds and contacting elected officials.

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·May 26, 2018·4 min read

Peer Rejection Isn’t the Culprit Behind School Shootings

Researchers report people should look more deeply into the environmental factors and mental health issues surrounding those involved in school shootings, and not simply blame peer rejection.