Well-Being After the Virginia Tech Mass Murder

Abstract

Acts of mass violence such as terrorist attacks or school shootings victimize more than those directly involved. Witness to these acts and members of the attacked community are at risk for increased levels of PTSD, depression, and other forms of mental distress. Research has clearly established that social support is critically important for recovering from such traumatic events (Galea et al. 2002; Johnson, North, & Smith, 2005; Ruzek et al, 2007) as being imbedded in a strong private network of friends and family can provide the emotional support survivors need to effectively cope with the tragedy (Hawdon and Ryan 2011). Given the increased use of e-mail, text messaging, and social networking sites among youth (Hinchcliffe & Gavin, 2009), it is likely that survivors of mass violence use technology to communicate with the members of their private networks (Dutta-Bergman, 2004). However, it is unclear if this “virtual interaction” can be as effective as face-to-face interaction in providing the needed support. Our research addresses this question using data collected after the 2007 mass murder of 32 people at Virginia Tech. Using data collected from 543 Virginia Tech students, we predict levels of emotional and behavioral well-being five months after the shootings. Our central independent variables include measures of how frequently the students communicated with their friends and families in the week following the tragedy and if these communications were in person or “virtual.” Results indicate that face-to-face interaction significantly improved well-being; however, interacting with friends and family members through e-mail, text messaging, or some form of online communication was unrelated to well-being. Our findings highlight the importance of face-to-face interactions after acts of mass violence.