Firearms Availability Among High-School Age Youth With Recent Depression or Suicidality
Firearms
Suicide
Cross-Sectional Studies
Adolescent
Depression
4. Education
Humans
Child
Suicidal Ideation
DOI:
10.1542/peds.2022-059532
Publication Date:
2023-05-22T08:12:01Z
AUTHORS (8)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Limiting firearm access is essential to decreasing teen suicide. Previous efforts have focused on household firearms; however, less is known about firearm access and possession among teens at increased suicide risk. Our objective was to estimate prevalence of firearm possession and access among high school-aged teens with recent depression and/or lifetime history of suicidality (DLHS).
METHODS
We conducted a probability-based, cross-sectional Web survey of 1914 parent–teen dyads between June 24, 2020, and July 22, 2020, with data weighted to generate a nationally representative sample of US teenagers (aged 14–18). Logistic regression analyses examined the difference between teens with and without DLHS for: (1) personal firearm possession, (2) perceived firearm access, and (3) method of firearm attainment.
RESULTS
Among high school-aged teens, 22.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.4–25.8) reported DLHS, 11.5% (95% CI, 8.7–14.3) reported personal firearm possession, and 44.2% (95% CI, 40.2–48.2) endorsed firearm access. Teens experiencing DLHS had increased perceived access (adjusted odds ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.07–2.28) compared with non-DLHS peers. There was no association between DLHS and personal firearm possession (adjusted odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.47–2.00). Among teens reporting firearm possession, those with DLHS were more likely to have acquired it by buying/trading for it (odds ratio, 5.66; 95% CI, 1.17–27.37) and less likely receiving it as a gift (odds ratio, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01–0.36).
CONCLUSIONS
High school-aged teens experiencing DLHS have higher perceived firearm access compared with lower-risk peers. Providers should speak directly to high school-aged teens at increased suicide risk about firearm access, in addition to counseling parents.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Coming soon ....
REFERENCES (61)
CITATIONS (12)
EXTERNAL LINKS
PlumX Metrics
RECOMMENDATIONS
FAIR ASSESSMENT
Coming soon ....
JUPYTER LAB
Coming soon ....