The Relationship between Violent Political Rhetoric and Mass Shootings

Abstract

Mass shootings are a public health crisis and have numerous negative effects on health, mental health, and economic variables. Identification of correlates and causes of mass shootings is an important research priority, as findings may inform efforts to reduce these events and their sequelae. A relationship has been speculated between violent political rhetoric (VPR) and mass shootings. The current study was an investigation of this relationship that addressed gaps and limitations in the limited research on this relationship. Analyses of a set of publically available 69-month time series were conducted. Results showed a 12-month periodicity in mass shootings and a positive relationship between VPR and mass shootings, controlling for changes in gross domestic product, generalized imitation, and gun ownership. Implications of findings for actions social service agencies may take to help reduce VPR and mass shootings are discussed, including anticipatory preparations for such events and their post traumatic sequelae, and collaborations with local media organizations and national groups that focus on reducing hate. Implications for future research on the relationship between VPR and mass shootings are discussed, with emphases on improved measurement of VPR and inclusion of variables not included in analyses in the current study.

Keywords:

• Mass shootings
• violent political rhetoric
• hate rhetoric
• hate speech

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).