Mass shootings and suicides share an unsettling seasonal rhythm, new study finds
A recent study reveals that mass shootings and suicide deaths share a synchronized seasonal rhythm in the U.S. Both peak in mid-summer, suggesting these violent events may be driven by similar underlying psychological forces and environmental triggers.
A new study published in the Journal of Biological Rhythms has revealed that mass shootings and suicides in the United States share a striking seasonal pattern. Both events peak in mid-summer and hit their lowest points in mid-winter, suggesting that many mass shootings may be driven by similar psychological factors as suicides, especially severe and violent distress.
The research, conducted by Mark É. Czeisler and Charles A. Czeisler, analyzed national data from January 1, 2014, to October 31, 2021. The study examined 3,305 mass shootings and 360,827 suicide deaths during this period, sourced from the Gun Violence Archive and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively. The researchers found that both mass shootings and suicide deaths peaked around mid-summer, specifically around July 3 for mass shootings and June 23 for suicides.
During the months of June, July, and August, the frequency of both events was higher compared to the rest of the year, while December, January, and February saw the lowest numbers. The analysis estimated a 613 percent relative increase in mass shootings during the summer peak compared to the winter low, and a 12 percent relative increase in suicide deaths.
The synchronized seasonal rhythm between mass shootings and suicides provides evidence that these two types of violence may share underlying psychological and environmental triggers.
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