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The Relationship Between Mental Illness and Mass Shooting Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 The Relationship Between Mental Illness and Mass Shooting Priscilla Ngozi Chukwueke Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Epidemiology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, and the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Health Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Priscilla Ngozi Chukwueke has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Nancy Rea Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty Dr. Namgyal Kyulo, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Dr. Albert Terrillion, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract The Relationship Between Mental Illness and Mass Shooting by Priscilla Chukwueke MD, American International School of Medicine, 2010 MPH, Walden University, 2007 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Walden University October 2020 Abstract Whenever a mass shooting occurs, it impacts the immediate families of the perpetrator, victims, and the whole nation: emotionally and financially. The research on the association between mental illness (MI) and mass shooting fatalities is limited. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to explore the association between MI and mass shooting using the archival data of the Stanford University database of mass shootings in America from 2000 to 2016. The theoretical framework was based on Bronfenbrenner’s social-ecological theory and the cognitive-behavioral theory to explain socio-environmental factors that impact human growth and development. The results showed that the proportion of mass shooters with MI (42.1%) was significantly greater than the proportion of the general population with MI (18.9%), Z = -1137.72, p<.0001. Shooters with MI have caused a significantly higher number of fatalities than those without MI, t (61.71) = 3.10, p<.01. Conversely, among mass shooters, there is no association between MI and type of killing, X² (7) = 13.72, p = .056. A chi-square analysis indicated that MI was not significantly related to the type of gun used in the shooting, X² (4) = 4.34, p = .36. Lastly, study participants with MI evidenced a significantly higher number of fatalities relative to those without MI, B = 2.05, SE = .86, β = .23, p<.05. The study has implications for social change: the findings can guide policymakers to fund research (a) to identify associations between MI and mass shootings and (b) on the need for more legislation and/or gun accident prevention programs to decrease mass shootings. The Relationship Between Mental Illness and Mass Shooting by Priscilla Chukwueke MD, American International School of Medicine, 2010 MPH, Walden University, 2007 Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Walden University October 2020 Dedication This is dedicated to my dear husband Dr. Kingsley Chukwueke who has been very supportive in every way throughout this journey. Acknowledgments I want to thank my mother who took care of my family while I was busy with my studies, my father for his love and prayers, and my friends Esther Dialah and Gloria Ebirim for their love and friendship. Also, to my wonderful children Chidinma, Nneoma, Ngozi, and Ugochi Chukwueke, who have been very understanding and supportive. I love you. I want to thank my former chair Dr. Cain, my current chair Dr. Rea, committee member Dr. Kyulo, Dr. William O’Bannon (statistician), and the university research reviewer, Dr. Albert Terrillion. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background 1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions and Hypothesis ..............................................................................6 Theoretical and/or Conceptual Framework for the Study ..............................................8 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................13 Definitions .................................................................................................................. 15 Assumptions ................................................................................................................ 15 Scope and Delimitations 16 Limitations ................................................................................................................. 16 Significance..................................................................................................................17 Summary ......................................................................................................................18 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................20 Introduction ..................................................................................................................20 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................20 Purpose .........................................................................................................................22 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................22 The Scope of Literature Review ..................................................................................23 i Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................23 Literature Related to Key Variables and/or Concepts .................................................26 Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................33 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................35 Introduction ..................................................................................................................35 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................36 Sampling and Sampling Procedures ..................................................................... 36 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 37 Instrumentation and Operationalization of Constructs ......................................... 38 Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 39 Threats to Validity ................................................................................................ 40 Ethical Procedures ................................................................................................ 41 Summary ......................................................................................................................42 Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................43 Introduction ..................................................................................................................43 Research Questions and Hypothesis ............................................................................43 Data Collection ............................................................................................................44 Data Analysis Plan .......................................................................................................45 Results ..........................................................................................................................46 Descriptive Analysis ............................................................................................. 46 Bivariate Analysis and Hypothesis Testing .......................................................... 50 Summary ......................................................................................................................58 ii Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ............................................60 Introduction ..................................................................................................................60 Interpretation of the Findings.......................................................................................61
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