Bullied Students More Likely To Bring Weapons To School [Study]


Researchers have concluded that bullied students are far more likely to bring weapons to school. The study, which was conducted by the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, revealed that 63 percent of bullied children admitted to bringing a weapon to school.

The researchers examined data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data included responses from 15,000 United States high school students. The students were asked whether they were bullied and if they had ever brought a weapon to school.

The study identified four risk factors which increased the likelihood of children bringing weapons to school. The risk factors include feeling unsafe at school, having property stolen or destroyed, being physically threatened or injured, and being the victim of physical assault.

Researchers concluded that bullied children are 72 percent more likely to bring a weapon to school. Even more disturbing, bullied children are 63 percent more likely to carry a gun.

Dr. Andrew Adesman, who led the study, said the results are alarming:

“The figures are staggering… What we are finding is exceptionally high rates of high-school students carrying weapons to school if they have previously been a victim of bullying, and they have otherwise had threats to their safety and property.”

Although many schools have taken steps to prevent bullying, they are more likely to “focus on the bullies themselves.” Dr. Adesman admits bullies are a serious problem. However, he suggests bullied children could pose an equally serious threat:

“I think we need to not just focus on the bullies… we need to be mindful of the fact that their victims also pose a potential serious threat to the safety and sanctity of the school environment… clearly, more needs to be done to make sure that high schools and all schools are a safe environment for school children to learn.”

As reported by Huffington Post, bullied children who experience more than one risk factor are more likely to bring a weapon to school.

In 2009, a similar study was published in the Aggression and Violent Behavior journal. The study concluded that “school-aged mass shooters” have several characteristics in common. The researchers identified three types of school shooters: traumatized shooters, psychotic shooters, and psychopathic shooters.

Traumatized school shooters have experienced some form of abuse. In contrast to Dr. Adesman’s findings, the 2009 study concluded that traumatized shooters have likely experienced adverse conditions at home. The earlier study identified broken homes and abusive environment as contributing factors.

Psychotic school shooters are children and teens who suffer from mental illness, including schizophrenia. Those who are categorized as psychotic shooters are not necessarily exposed to prior abuse. Their aggression is simply attributed to their mental illness.

Similarly, psychopathic school shooters do not necessarily come from broken or abusive homes. As reported by Live Science, they are more likely to suffer from personality disorders, which include heightened levels of narcissism, sadistic behaviors, and a profound lack of empathy.

Although the studies are different, trauma is a common factor. Whether experienced at home or at school, children and teens who are abused are more likely to bring weapons to school. Researchers hope the data will be used to prevent further tragedies. The results of both studies can be used to modify the way bullies and bullied children are handled within the school system.

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