Victimology of Mass Shootings and Mass Murders Not Involving Firearms.

Most research to date has focused on perpetrators of mass murder incidents. Hence, there is little information on victims. We examined 973 mass murders that occurred in the United States between 1900 and 2019 resulting in 5,273 total fatalities and 4,498 nonfatal injuries for a total of 9,771 victims (on average 10 victims per incident). Approximately 64% of victims of mass murder were White individuals, 13% were Black individuals, 6% were Asian individuals, and 14% were Latinx individuals. Given the higher number of nonfatal injuries per non-firearm mass murder event (11.0 vs. 2.8, p < .001), the total number of victims was only 50% higher for mass shootings (5,855 victims) vs. non-firearm mass murder events (3,916 victims). Among the 421 incidents of mass murder in the United States since 2000, Black, Asian, and Native American individuals were overrepresented among victims of mass shootings compared with their representation in the general U.S. population, and White individuals were underrepresented (all p ≤ .002). Findings of racial/ethnic differences were similar among victims of mass murder committed with means other than firearms for Black, Asian, and White individuals. These findings highlight different areas of victimology within the context of these incidents.

Psychotic symptoms in mass shootings v. mass murders not involving firearms: findings from the Columbia mass murder database.

BACKGROUND: Mass shootings account for a small fraction of annual worldwide murders, yet disproportionately affect society and influence policy. Evidence suggesting a link between mass shootings and severe mental illness (i.e. involving psychosis) is often misrepresented, generating stigma. Thus, the actual prevalence constitutes a key public health concern. METHODS: We examined global personal-cause mass murders from 1900 to 2019, amassed by review of 14 785 murders publicly described in English in print or online, and collected information regarding perpetrator, demographics, legal history, drug use and alcohol misuse, and history of symptoms of psychiatric or neurologic illness using standardized methods. We distinguished whether firearms were or were not used, and, if so, the type (non-automatic v. semi- or fully-automatic). RESULTS: We identified 1315 mass murders, 65% of which involved firearms. Lifetime psychotic symptoms were noted among 11% of perpetrators, consistent with previous reports, including 18% of mass murderers who did not use firearms and 8% of those who did (χ2 = 28.0, p < 0.01). US-based mass shooters were more likely to have legal histories, use recreational drugs or misuse alcohol, or have histories of non-psychotic psychiatric or neurologic symptoms. US-based mass shooters with symptoms of any psychiatric or neurologic illness more frequently used semi-or fully-automatic firearms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that policies aimed at preventing mass shootings by focusing on serious mental illness, characterized by psychotic symptoms, may have limited impact. Policies such as those targeting firearm access, recreational drug use and alcohol misuse, legal history, and non-psychotic psychopathology might yield more substantial results.

Prevalence and minority-stress correlates of past 12-month prescription drug misuse in a national sample of transgender and gender nonbinary adults: Results from the U.S. Transgender Survey.

BACKGROUND: Prescription drug (PD) misuse, particularly opioid misuse, is a major US public health concern. While transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) individuals experience numerous health disparities, including substance use disparities, little research has focused on PD misuse in this population. METHODS: Data for this secondary analysis come from the US Transgender Survey (N = 26,689). First, we examined bivariate differences in past 12-month PD misuse among binary transgender women, binary transgender men, nonbinary individuals assigned-female-at-birth (AFAB), and nonbinary individuals assigned-male-at-birth (AMAB). We then used multivariable logistic regression (separately based on sex-assigned-at-birth) to examine the relationship between gender-identity related discrimination and PD misuse. RESULTS: PD misuse was significantly more common among binary transgender men (17.3 %), nonbinary AFAB individuals (18.7 %), and nonbinary AMAB individuals (18.0 %); compared to binary transgender women (13.5 %). In multivariable analyses, nonbinary identity was associated with higher odds of PD misuse among TGNB AFAB individuals (OR = 1.121; 95 %CI 1.021-1.232) and AMAB individuals (OR = 1.315; 95 % CI 1.133-1.527). Controlling for overall health status and psychological distress, public accommodations discrimination was associated with PD misuse among TGNB AMAB individuals (OR = 1.578, 95 %CI 1.354-1.839). Among both groups, healthcare discrimination was associated with PD misuse (AFAB OR = 1.388, 95 %CI 1.255-1.534; AMAB OR = 1.227, 95 %CI 1.073-1.404). CONCLUSION: In this national sample of TGNB individuals, nonbinary individuals were at greater risk for PD misuse than binary individuals, possibly due to less societal affirmation. Similar to other TGNB health disparities, discrimination based on gender identity/expression was associated with PD misuse. This highlights the importance of interventions to reduce discrimination against TGNB individuals.