51 School Shootings and Mental Health in the United States

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: It is estimated that 357,000 children have experienced a school shooting since 1999, yet due to limitations in the firearm violence field broadly, the sequalae are not well understood. The objective of this work is to examine the mental health impacts of school shootings, providing insight into the lasting effects of firearm violence on our communities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We will first conduct a quasi-experimental study using controlled interrupted time series with repeated cross-sectional data to assess school shootings’ impact on US mental health. School shooting data is from the K-12 School Shooting Database, and mental health data will be collected via the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Second, we will conduct focus groups with community organizations, school administrators, and the public. Interview guides will be developed to explore the mental health impacts of school shootings, to guide the quantitative results interpretation, and assess educational materials’ usefulness. Qualitative analysis will occur in NVivo software with codebook refinement through thematic analysis. Results will be triangulated through convergence coding. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: This research is situated within the context of the pervasive mental health challenges in the US, where mental illness poses significant health, social, and economic burdens. Thus, we anticipate finding an association between school shootings and decreased self-reported mental well-being among US adults. Literature suggests that there may be a stronger association among specific subgroups, such as parents with school-aged children or individuals living in close proximity to such incidents. We expect to find heterogeneity in the effect estimate based on school shooting attributes, such as the number of casualties. Through focus groups, we anticipate furthering our comprehension of the broad-ranging effects of school shootings on less quantifiable outcomes and the unique trajectories of recovery. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This project will contribute needed information on the impact of school shootings and mental health and assist in reducing the frequency and impact of school shootings. Furthermore, we aim to extend our findings beyond the scientific community, translating them into educational resources advocating for policy and public health interventions.