The intersection of PTSD symptoms and firearm storage practices within a suicide prevention framework: Findings from a U.S. Army National Guard sample.

Abstract

The unsafe storage of firearms is associated with increased risk for death by suicide. Therefore, efforts to elucidate modifiable factors associated with unsafe firearm storage have the potential to inform military suicide prevention efforts. PTSD hyperarousal symptoms are characterized in part by a heightened sense of being "on guard" for potential dangers and might contribute to an increased likelihood of storing firearms unsafely. This study sought to examine if more severe PTSD hyperarousal symptoms are associated with greater unsafe firearm storage practices. Participants were 327 U.S. Army National Guard personnel (M [SD] age ϭ 26.90 [7.45] years; 93.3% male; 77.8% White/Caucasian). Firearm storage practices were assessed via a structured questionnaire. PTSD symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, hyperarousal) were assessed via the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M). Logistic regression analyses were utilized. Elevated PTSD hyperarousal symptoms were significantly associated with storing firearms loaded and/or in nonsecure locations, even after controlling for the effects of the other PTSD symptom clusters. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the pattern of findings remained consistent among participants with a deployment history and when controlling for the effects of agitation symptoms. Findings of this study suggest that U.S. Army National Guard personnel who experience elevated PTSD hyperarousal symptoms are more likely to store their firearms unsafely. Implications for military suicide prevention are discussed. Impact StatementPTSD hyperarousal symptoms are characterized in part by a heightened sense of being "on guard" for potential dangers. Among U.S. Army National Guard personnel who reported owning a personal firearm, elevated PTSD hyperarousal symptoms were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting unsafe firearm storage practices. Given high rates of firearm suicide among U.S. military service members, clinical efforts that bolster lethal means safety counseling approaches among military personnel with elevated PTSD hyperarousal symptoms may have important implications for military suicide prevention efforts.

Post‐traumatic stress disorder and firearm ownership, access, and storage practices: A systematic review.

“…This finding is consistent with the previously mentioned theoretical rationale that hypervigilance to current threat might influence the use of unsafe firearm storage practices (Holliday et al., 2019; Jakupcak & Varra, 2011). Of note, neither Stanley and Anestis (2020) nor Smith et al. (2020) found a significant association between overall PTSD symptom severity and firearm storage practices.…”

“…Within a sample of 327 U.S. Army National Guard soldiers who reported currently owning a personal firearm, greater overall current PTSD symptom severity, measured by the PCL‐M, was not significantly associated with firearm storage practices. However, when examining the specific PTSD symptom clusters, greater current PTSD hyperarousal symptom severity was significantly associated with storing a firearm loaded ( aOR = 1.109 [95% CI = 1.022, 1.204], p = .013) and in a nonsecure location ( aOR = 1.119 [95% CI = 1.028, 1.218], p = .009), even after accounting for the effects of the other PTSD symptom clusters (Stanley & Anestis, 2020). By contrast, a nationally representative sample of 5,692 U.S. adults did not find any significant differences in firearm storage practices (i.e., storing at least one firearm loaded and unlocked) between those with and without a lifetime PTSD diagnosis assessed by the CIDI (Ilgen et al., 2008).…”

“…Few studies explicitly examined PTSD and firearm storage practices. Within a sample of U.S. Army National Guard personnel, Stanley and Anestis (2020) found that more severe PTSD hyperarousal symptoms were associated with an increased likelihood of storing firearms unsafely (i.e., loaded and in a nonsecure location). This finding is consistent with the previously mentioned theoretical rationale that hypervigilance to current threat might influence the use of unsafe firearm storage practices (Holliday et al., 2019; Jakupcak & Varra, 2011).…”

Prevalence and Correlates of Firearm Access Among Post-9/11 US Women Veterans Using Reproductive Healthcare: a Cross-Sectional Survey

“…37 However, unexpectedly, neither MST nor probable PTSD was associated with personal firearm ownership or storage. Thus, specific trauma characteristics (e.g., traumatization frequency, perpetrator identity) or sequelae (e.g., PTSD hyperarousal) 38 may be more influential.…”

Firearm lethal means safety with military personnel and veterans: Overcoming barriers using a collaborative approach.

“…These concerns for personal safety may be tied to trauma exposure and may be particularly salient among those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Stanley et al, 2020). For example, although overall PTSD symptoms do not appear to be associated with firearm ownership (Heinz et al, 2016), PTSD-related hyperarousal symptoms are associated with being more likely to store firearms loaded and in unsecure locations (Stanley & Anestis, 2020).…”