A Survey of Perceptions of the Virginia Tech Tragedy
Saved in:
| Title: | A Survey of Perceptions of the Virginia Tech Tragedy |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Fallahi, Carolyn R., Austad, Carol Shaw, Fallon, Marianne, Leishman, Lisa |
| Source: | Journal of School Violence. 2009 8(2):120-135. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2009 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education |
| Descriptors: | Campuses, Violence, School Safety, Mental Disorders, Friendship, Gun Control, Gender Differences, Student Behavior, College Students, College Faculty, Attitude Measures, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Interpersonal Relationship, Social Support Groups, Parent Influence, Child Rearing, Mass Media Effects, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Fear, Parent Attitudes |
| Geographic Terms: | Virginia |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15388220802074017 |
| ISSN: | 1538-8220 |
| Abstract: | The recent shootings at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) shocked the nation and brought violence on college campuses to the forefront of the nation's attention. We surveyed college students and faculty/staff three weeks after the incident about their perceptions of the Virginia Tech shooting, subsequent media exposure, and school violence in general. We found that students agreed with faculty/staff that mental illness and a lack of friendship were likely causal factors in the shootings. Students believed that social support, friendship, good mental health, and parenting were important factors in preventing subsequent incidents. We also found that media exposure and time spent discussing the incident with family and friends were associated with increased psychiatric symptoms. Gender differences were observed in the domains of fearing for personal safety, perceptions of increased parental concern, the role of violent media, and the need for gun control. (Contains 4 tables.) |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 30 |
| Entry Date: | 2009 |
| Accession Number: | EJ856860 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The recent shootings at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) shocked the nation and brought violence on college campuses to the forefront of the nation's attention. We surveyed college students and faculty/staff three weeks after the incident about their perceptions of the Virginia Tech shooting, subsequent media exposure, and school violence in general. We found that students agreed with faculty/staff that mental illness and a lack of friendship were likely causal factors in the shootings. Students believed that social support, friendship, good mental health, and parenting were important factors in preventing subsequent incidents. We also found that media exposure and time spent discussing the incident with family and friends were associated with increased psychiatric symptoms. Gender differences were observed in the domains of fearing for personal safety, perceptions of increased parental concern, the role of violent media, and the need for gun control. (Contains 4 tables.) |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1538-8220 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15388220802074017 |
