RT Article
T1 An analysis of motivating factors in 1,725 worldwide cases of mass murder between 1900-2019
JF The journal of forensic psychiatry & psychology
VO 34
IS 2
SP 261
OP 274
A1 Brucato, Gary
A2 Hesson, Hannah
A2 Dishy, Gabriella
A2 Lee, Kathryn
A2 Pia, Tyler
A2 Syed, Faizan
A2 Villalobos, Alexandra
A2 Rogers, R. Tyler
A2 Corbeil, Thomas
A2 Stone, Michael H.
A2 Lieberman, Jeffrey A. 1948-
A2 Appelbaum, Paul S. 1951-
A2 Girgis, Ragy R.
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1850577781
AB Mass murder, particularly mass shootings, constitutes a major, growing public health concern. Specific motivations for these acts are not well understood, often overattributed to severe mental illness. Identifying diverse factors motivating mass murders may facilitate prevention. We examined 1,725 global mass murders from 1900–2019, publicly described in English in print or online. We empirically categorized each into one of ten categories reflecting reported primary motivating factors, which were analyzed across mass murderers generally, as well as between U.S- and non-U.S.-based mass-shooters. Psychosis or disorganization related to mental illness were infrequently motivational factors (166; 9.6%), and were significantly more associated with mass murder committed using methods other than firearms. The vast majority (998, 57.86%) of incidents were impulsive and emotionally-driven, following adverse life circumstances. Most mass murderers prompted by emotional upset were found to be driven by despair or extreme sadness over life events (161, 16.13% within the category); romantic rejection or loss, or severe jealousy (204, 20.44% within the category); some specific non-romantic grudge (212, 21.24% within the category); or explosive, overwhelming rage following a dispute (266, 26.65% within the category). Results suggest that policies seeking to prevent mass murder should focus on criminal history, as well as subacute emotional disturbances not associated with severe mental illness in individuals with poor coping skills who have recently experienced negative life events.
K1 Psychosis
K1 Mass shooting
K1 Mass Murder
K1 Motivation
K1 Violence
DO 10.1080/14789949.2023.2208570