# The psychological and behavioral effects of social isolation on mass shooters

## TL;DR

Social isolation is linked to more severe traits and behaviors in mass shooters, including mental health issues and higher victim counts.

## Contribution

A new model is proposed to explain how social isolation affects mass shooters' mental health and behaviors.

## Key findings

- Socially isolated mass shooters were more likely to be unemployed, single, and have mental health issues.
- They showed higher rates of substance use, violent video game play, and interest in past mass violence.
- Socially isolated perpetrators killed more victims compared to non-isolated ones.

## Abstract

Social isolation has been identified as a risk factor in the lives of mass shooters, assassins, serial killers, child molesters, lone actor terrorists, suicide attackers, and other violent offenders, but its psychological and behavioral effects are only partially understood.

For this article, we tested for bivariate differences between public mass shooters who were and were not socially isolated in the United States from 2000 to 2024.

Compared to other perpetrators, socially isolated mass shooters were significantly more likely to be unemployed, single, childless, and sexually frustrated; to have a mental health problem in general, autism specifically, prior psychiatric hospitalization, and a history of suicidality (unrelated to their attack intentions); to use substances, play violent video games, adopt prejudices, seek fame, and show interest in past mass violence; and to kill more victims.

Based on these findings and other research, we propose a new model for social isolation’s effects on mass shooters’ mental health and their coping mechanisms prior to attack. We also provide illustrative case examples and offer recommendations for future research.