175679 Mental health and firearms in community-based surveys: Implications for suicide prevention

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 10:45 AM

Susan B. Sorenson, PhD , School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Katherine A. Vittes, PhD, MPH , Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
BACKGROUND

Suicide results in more than 32,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. About half of these suicides are committed with a firearm. Suicide rates are higher among those who own a handgun and among those who live in a household with a handgun. This study examines the association between gun ownership and mental health, another risk factor for suicide.

METHODS

Using data from the General Social Survey, a series of surveys of U.S. adults, we compared mental distress, depression, and anxiety levels among gun owners, persons who do not own their own gun but reside in a household with a gun, and those who do not own a gun.

RESULTS

After taking into account basic demographic characteristics associated with both variables, there appears to be no association between mental health and gun ownership. Nor is there any association between mental health and living in a household with a firearm.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that the high risk of suicide among those who personally own or who reside with someone who owns a gun is not related to poor mental health. Our findings provide support for efforts to reduce access to firearms as a way to reduce suicide. Implications for prevention are discussed.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between mental disorder and distress and firearm ownership. Identify potential reasons for the increased rates of suicide among individuals who own and who live in a household with a firearm Discuss potential policy and prevention implications of the study findings.

Keywords: Firearms, Suicide

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have no financial or other conflict of interest.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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