Adverse Childhood Experiences, Youth Well-Being, and Exposure to Gun Violence
This work is evaluating the impact of gun violence on child health, developmental, and learning outcomes with implications for school and community-wide interventions.
Current Projects
School Violence, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Youth Mental Health/Well-being,
Rajan S & Branas C - This work explores the relationship between student exposure to school gun violence and various forms of school security strategies and their impact on youth mental health and other child health outcomes.
Trauma Free NYC and Gun Injury ACEs
Rauh V & Rajan S - Trauma-Free NYC aims to bring together New Yorkers who are committed to creating trauma-informed partnerships across the city. We promote the integration of scientific advances regarding the causes and effects of trauma into the work of any organization, individual, or public servant actively involved in the well-being of New Yorkers.
Relevant Publications
School Violence Exposure as an Adverse Childhood Experience: Protocol for a Nationwide Study of Secondary Public Schools
Sonali Rajan, Navjot Buttar, Zahra Ladhani, Jennifer Caruso, John P. Allegrante, Charles Branas, JMIR Research Protocols, 2024. Protocol for a national study examining relationships between school gun violence exposure, ACEs, and adolescent mental health and school outcomes.
Experiences of Online Bullying and Offline Violence-Related Behaviors Among a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adolescents, 2011–2019
Noah T. Kreski, Qixuan Chen, Mark Olfson, Magdalena Cerdá, Silvia S. Martins, Pia M. Mauro, Charles C. Branas, Sonali Rajan, Katherine M. Keyes, Journal of School Health, 2022. National analysis showing associations between online bullying and offline violence-related behaviors including weapon carrying.
Youth Exposure to Violence Involving a Gun: Evidence for Adverse Childhood Experience Classification
Sonali Rajan, Charles C. Branas, Dawn Myers, Nina Agrawal, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2019. Evidence supporting the classification of youth gun violence exposure as an adverse childhood experience, with implications for trauma and development.
Media
NORC Webinar: New Insights from a National Survey on Youth Firearms Exposure
NORC at the University of Chicago, May 2025. Webinar discussing preliminary findings from a nationally representative survey of youth firearm exposure and implications for public health research
The Gun Violence Epidemic Is ‘Locking Us Back in Our Room’
KFF Health News, 2024/2025. Feature article exploring the broader impacts of the gun violence epidemic on children, families, and communities.
Is It Wrong to Let Kids Play With Toy Guns?
Parents Magazine, 2024/2025. Article discussing cultural perspectives on toy gun play, child development, and implications for real-world firearm safety.
