Department or Program
Psychology
Abstract
Gun violence has become a serious issue in the U.S., with 8 out of every 10 homicides attributed to guns and over 600 shootings in 2023 where at least one person was injured or killed (Center for Gun Violence Solutions, n.d.; Franklin & Isom, 2024). This issue hits close to home in Lewiston, Maine, where as of August 2024, the community had already experienced 27 incidents of shots fired (City of Lewiston, 2024). In this study, I worked with the superintendent of the Lewiston Public Schools, Superintendent Langlais, to further understand the impacts of gun violence on the community. This mixed-methods study used the community violence framework to explore the impacts that an uptick in community gun violence in Lewiston has on school staff and students, and what that might mean for school staff members’ capacity to support students. The study used survey responses and one-on-one interviews with school staff to evaluate this impact. I hypothesize that an uptick in community violence would lead to mental health struggles among both staff and students, and teachers would have increased difficulty focusing and supporting their students. The findings suggest that gun violence negatively impacts students, which is demonstrated by teachers’ reports of changes in behaviors, interactions with peers, and an increase in violence in the schools. Teachers and staff expressed that gun violence has not impacted them. However, their written responses and interviews suggest that they are struggling with their mental health and may not realize it, perhaps due to desensitization or hardening. Throughout the surveys and interviews, staff emphasized the need for more support services, such as active shooter training, stronger backing from the administration, and additional resources to support students. There is a sense of hope that with improvements, staff will feel more equipped to face the challenges of community gun violence.
Level of Access
Restricted: Campus/Bates Community Only Access
First Advisor
Tieken, Mara
Date of Graduation
5-2025
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Zerbib, Amanda Belle, "Beyond the Headlines: Understanding the Consequences of Community Gun Violence on Lewiston’s School Community" (2025). Honors Theses. 508.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/508
Number of Pages
112
Community Engagement
1
