Firearm Ownership and Acquisition Among Parents With Risk Factors for Self-Harm or Other Violence

Abstract

Objective Recent policy initiatives aiming to reduce firearm morbidity focus on mental health and illness. However, few studies have simultaneously examined mental health and behavioral predictors within families, or their longitudinal association with newly acquiring a firearm. Methods Population-based, longitudinal survey of 4,251 parents of fifth-grade students in three US metropolitan areas; 2004–2011. Multivariate logistic models assessed associations between owning or acquiring a firearm and parent mental illness and substance use. Results Ninety-three percent of parents interviewed were women. Overall, 19.6% of families reported keeping a firearm in the home. After adjustment for confounders, history of depression (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.04–1.77), binge drinking (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.14–2.68), and illicit drug use (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.12–2.76) were associated with a higher likelihood of keeping a firearm in the home. After a mean of 3.1 years, 6.1% of parents who did not keep a firearm in the home at baseline acquired one by follow-up and kept it in the home (average annual likelihood=2.1%). No risk factors for self-harm or other violence were associated with newly acquiring a gun in the home. Conclusions Families with risk factors for self-harm or other violence have a modestly greater probability of having a firearm in the home compared with families without risk factors, and similar probability of newly acquiring a firearm. Treatment interventions for many of these risk factors may reduce firearm-related morbidity.

Prevalence of Firearm Ownership Among Individuals With Major Depressive Symptoms

“…Likewise, mood disorders, and depressive episodes in particular, are strongly associated with suicide risk . In some (but not all) investigations, depression is also associated with gun ownership, consistent with another small study of young adults with a history of suicidality …”

“…Likewise, mood disorders, and depressive episodes in particular, are strongly associated with suicide risk. 6,7 In some (but not all 2 ) investigations, depression is also associated with gun ownership, 8 consistent with another small study of young adults with a history of suicidality. 9 Remarkably, little is known about the convergence of these 2 risk factors for suicide (ie, the extent of firearm ownership among individuals who are depressed).…”

“… 9 However, that study specifically selected participants with firearm interest, so it could not inform about the general population. Two prior studies 2 , 8 specifically examined the association between depression, suicide, and firearm ownership. A study using data from the National Comorbidity Study and General Social Surveys nearly 3 decades ago found no association between depression and firearm ownership.…”

“…A study using data from the National Comorbidity Study and General Social Surveys nearly 3 decades ago found no association between depression and firearm ownership. 2 A more recent study, 8 reporting longitudinal data from 2004 to 2011, found an association between depression (as well as binge drinking and other substance use) with a greater likelihood of firearm ownership. Our finding that recent and planned purchases, but not current ownership, differed by depression status may help to explain these discordant findings; patterns of ownership change over time and may be influenced by perceived threats that also may affect mood state.…”

Firearm-related research articles in health sciences by funding status and type: A scoping review

“…Among the articles with funding, 212 (46.8%) had one funding source, 112 (24.7%) had two funding sources; and 129 (28.5%) had three or more funding sources (Mean = 2.1; Median = 2; Mode = 1; IQR = 1–3). One research article had ten funding sources ( Ladapo et al, 2016 ). Among the research articles with funding, 221 (48.8%) articles reported having at least one federal grant, 232 (51.2%) had at least one grant from a philanthropic organization, 33 (7.3%) reported at least one grant from a non-federal government entity, 76 (16.8%) reported at least one grant from an academic institution or research group, and 34 (7.5%) reported at least one grant from another source.…”