Countering the Narrative: Positive Psychological Impacts of an Active Shooter Training Among Adults

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Mass public shootings have become an unfortunate reality in the United States. Shootings at concerts, places of entertainment, workplaces, and schools have struck fear and panic in the minds of the public. Just as with other natural and human-made disasters, training for an active shooting situation can equip individuals with potentially lifesaving knowledge and skills. However, the current media narrative often claims active shooter training is traumatizing and does more harm than good. To assess this claim, we examine adults who went through multiple shooting simulations using single-option and multi-option responses. The results indicate that the use of multi-option responses, when compared to single-option responses, yield greater positive psychological outcomes (e.g., increased confidence, increased perceived survivability) for participants. These findings are counter to the media narrative questioning the negative impacts of multi-option responses to active shooter situations.

Authors

• Brandon Nicholas Bledsoe, Seattle University

• Brooke Miller Gialopsos, Seattle University

• Cheryl Lero Jonson, Xavier University

• Melissa M. Moon, Northern Kentucky University