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Abstract

This dissertation explores the incidence of gun violence within United States high schools in relation to the young people who perpetrate and are affected by it. To achieve this, why some adolescents commit school gun violence in addition to the effects on witnessing students is examined. Moreover, the motivations of perpetrators are considered from a psychosocial perspective which looks at the interrelation of social factors and individual thought in order to analyse how this can lead to violent behaviour. In addition, the impact of school gun violence on student witnesses subsequent behaviour and psychological functioning is explored. Conflict with teachers and peers, unaffectionate familial relationships and subjective perceptions of victimisation were found to contribute to the development of a school shooter through utilizing meta-analysis research. For witnesses, post-traumatic stress and social withdrawal were found to be common consequences of experiencing trauma which may be influenced by the degree of incident exposure and an individual’s emotional regulation strategies. These concepts have been illustrated by examining Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the 2018 Parkland Florida school shooting and various student witnesses. Information to support discussion was garnered from the transcript of Cruz’s police interview in addition to news reports and interviews

Course: Childhood and Youth Studies - BA (Hons) - C1989F

Date Deposited: 2021-02-03

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13663.html