Socioeconomic factors and mass shootings in the United States

Income Inequality, Household Income, and Mass Shooting in the United States

“…This research suggests that understanding the connection between inequality and mass shootings, especially in high-income communities, could be instrumental in reducing the likelihood of this very real public health threat. Our results support previous work on the relationship between inequality and aggression ( 5 , 6 ) and extend work on mass shootings by examining the role of household income ( 2 ). Specifically, the key contribution of this research is the finding of a strong interaction effect between inequality and income on mass shootings.…”

“…These results show little variation between income inequality and mass shootings over time, a result that is most robust during later years when data should be least biased, suggesting that our results are not an artifact of the data source. Previous studies also examined similar models using two other mass shootings datasets (USA Today and Mother Jones), showing outcomes did not vary by dataset ( 2 ). Based on our diagnostics, we are confident the correct method (negative binomial regression) was used in our analyses.…”

“…Although they are still relatively rare events compared to other forms of violence, mass shootings tend to spread fear and anxiety in the general population in a manner that extends well-beyond their specific geographic origins ( 1 ). Previous research finds a strong positive relationship between income inequality and mass shootings ( 2 ). Unexpectedly, this previous work also finds there is no connection between poverty and mass shootings.…”

Public health and violence

“…Individual behaviour and community norms are thus the priority for change; broader structural factors that might drive violence are reduced to 'modulating' factors (Riemann, 2019). Kwon and Cabrera's (2019) analysis of mass shootings in the US likewise identifies and addresses the side-lining of structural factors in explanations of violence. Accounts of mass shootings have invariably focused on individual motives, relying on societal stereotypes concerning mental health that have little support in the evidence (Kwon & Cabrera, 2019).…”

“…Kwon and Cabrera's (2019) analysis of mass shootings in the US likewise identifies and addresses the side-lining of structural factors in explanations of violence. Accounts of mass shootings have invariably focused on individual motives, relying on societal stereotypes concerning mental health that have little support in the evidence (Kwon & Cabrera, 2019). Their study is an important departure then in seeking to locate explanations within a broader context of economic and social structures that may induce anger, frustration, and ultimately violence by those most severely affected in society.…”