Full Citation
Title: Behavioral Responses to Mass Shootings: Physical Activity, Mental Health and Labor Outcomes
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2018
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Abstract: The odds of experiencing a mass shooting in first person are low, approximately 411 people have died in such tragic events during the past decade in the United States. However, the high saliency of mass shooting events might induce changes in behavior that may pose an external cost on society. In this paper, I estimate the impact of indirect exposure to mass shootings on behavior using information on 45 mass shootings from 2003 to 2016. Using individual-level data, I find that being within 500 miles shortly after a mass shooting, individuals overall activity levels decrease by 1.3 percent. This decline is equivalent to a 10 or 3.7 minute decrease in walking or running, respectively. For an average weight person, this decline would mean 34.5 less calories burned per day. The decreases in activity are highest for women, individuals with some college and younger individuals. In addition to activity levels, I find an increase in the probability of having 14 or more days where perceived mental health is not good. Finally, I find a statistically significant decrease in hours worked of 0.5 percent or 10.7 minutes a week. This decrease is highest for women. These results show that aside from direct victims, mass shootings also impact the short-term behavior of a broader portion of the population. JEL Classification: D03, D81, I12 seminar participants at Tulane University for valuable feedback. Any errors are my own.
Url: http://www.raranda.com/uploads/1/1/0/6/110688011/draft_massshootingsbehaviorpaper_nov_2018.pdf
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Authors: Aranda Balcazar, Rodrigo
Publisher: Tulane University
Data Collections: IPUMS CPS
Topics: Crime and Deviance, Other
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