| Media platforms frequently highlight mass shootings because of their sensational appeal despite
research showing that traumatic media exposure can foster increased fear of crime. Fear can
prompt constrained and protective behaviors, however, these topics are understudied among
semi-rural populations. Fear of mass shootings must be understood before it can be mitigated.
Using the risk interpretation model, and theories of symbolic interactionism, cultivation, and
lifestyle-routine activities, I hypothesized that fear of mass shooting victimization and
perceived risk of mass shooting victimization would mediate the relationship between exposure
to mass shooting media and constrained and protective behaviors among semi-rural adults in
Pocatello, Idaho. Mediation analysis results indicate that perceived risk of mass shooting
victimization mediates the relationship between mass shooting media exposure and using
constrained and protective behaviors, but that fear of mass shootings does not. Those exposed to
mass shooting media avoid people and public locations, while using protective behaviors driven
by heightened perceived risk of victimization.
Key Words: Media, Fear of Mass Shootings, Perceived Risk, Behavior |