Consequences of Inequality

Socioeconomic Factors and Mass Shootings in the United States

This study explores whether population-level measures of income inequality and poverty rates are associated with mass shootings in the United States. We test these potential connections by examining the incidence rate of mass shootings using random effects negative binomial regressions for a panel data-set that included 3144 counties for the years 1990–2015. According to the adjusted models, income inequality is significantly associated with the three or more victim-related injuries (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11, 1.67; P < .001) and four or more victim-related deaths definition of mass shootings (IRR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.08, 1.64; P < .01). However, poverty rates lack a reliable association with the three or more injuries (IRR = 1.07; 95% CI = .75, 1.39) and four or more deaths definition (IRR = .95; 95% CI = .71, 1.19). When considered in conjunction with the literature on inequality and crime, these results indicate that counties with high inequality may foster an environment of anger and resentment that ultimately leads to mass shootings.

Kwon & Cabrera (Forthcoming). “Socioeconomic factors and mass shootings in the United States.” Critical Public Health.

Social Integration and Mass Shootings in U.S. Counties

A major theme in the sociological literature is the observation that social integration may provide protective effects against a range of negative outcomes in society, from poor mental and physical health, to elevated levels of crime and homicide rates. In light of these observations, the current study attempts to analyze the connection between social integration and mass shootings by drawing on two popular theoretical perspectives: social disorganization theory and social capital theory. According to the findings, elevated rates of poverty and single-parent households increase residential instability, while residential instability in turn augments mass shootings. Furthermore, a young population and ethnic heterogeneity dampens civic engagement, while civic engagement in turn decreases mass shootings. Overall, these findings suggest that the protective effects of social integration may help guard against mass shootings.

Kwon & Cabrera (Forthcoming). “Social integration and mass shootings in U.S. counties.” Journal of Crime and Justice.

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