Citation

Lee DB, Simmons M, Sokol RL, Crimmins H, Larose J, Zimmerman MA, Carter PM. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2024; 171: 340-345.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.01.034

PMID

38350311

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Household firearm availability is a risk factor for firearm suicide when a household member at-risk for suicide. Firearm ownership for protection and perceptions of community violence may reduce the likelihood of limiting access to firearms as a way to prevent suicide. The association between a firearm suicide risk belief and the intention to reduce firearm access as a means of preventing suicide, with fear of community violence and firearm ownership for protection as moderators, was examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analytic sample consisted of 388 Missouri firearm owners from a cross-sectional, statewide survey of Missouri adults. Logistic regression models were estimated.

RESULTS: Among Missouri firearm owners, firearm suicide risk belief was positively associated with the intention of reducing firearm access for firearm owners who were not afraid of community violence and owned a firearm for non-protection reasons (e.g., hunting).

DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that firearm suicide prevention efforts must be tailored to address the underlying beliefs about their violence risk among firearm owners who indicate they principally own for protection.

Language: en

Keywords

Community violence; Mental health; Firearm safety; Firearm suicide risk; Lethal means safety; Socioecological risk