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Title
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An Analysis of the Indirect Effects of School Shootings on American Children, Staff, Communities, and Schools
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Creator
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Irma Gomez-Hernandez
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Degree Name
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Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
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Project Type
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professional_project
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Date
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6/13/2026
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Abstract
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School shootings in the United States generate far-reaching disruptions that extend well beyond direct survivors, influencing the broader systems in which children, educators, families, schools, and communities function. While direct exposure produces well-documented psychological and academic consequences, growing evidence shows that indirect exposure through media coverage, institutional responses, community reactions, and cultural narratives also shapes individual and collective well-being. The literature review synthesizes peer-reviewed research on the indirect effects of school shootings across ecological levels using a qualitative thematic approach informed by trauma theory, the social-ecological model, resilience theory, the life-course perspective, attachment theory, and anomie theory. Findings indicate that indirect exposure contributes to heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and academic disengagement among children. Educators experience secondary traumatic stress and professional strain, while families develop patterns of over-protection and routine change. Schools often adopt intensified security measures that foster a climate of fear, and communities report declines in cohesion, economic activity, and civic participation. National media coverage further normalizes school violence. Collectively, these patterns show that school shootings operate as national traumatic events, underscoring the necessity of trauma-informed, multilevel interventions and equitable policy responses.
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Keywords
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Gun violence
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trauma
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outcomes
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Committee Member
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Omar Melchor Ayala
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 07/27/2026, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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Type
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text
