Citation

Choi NG, Dinitto DM, Marti CN. Arch. Suicide Res. 2019; 23(3): 491-506.

Affiliation

University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work , United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2018.1468290

PMID

29791268

Abstract

This study used Texas state vital statistics records, 2006-2015, to examine firearm use rates among 28,010 suicide decedents by residential location (urbanized vs. all others). Firearms were responsible for 44% of all teenage suicides and 76%-90% and 50%-60% of suicides of men and women aged 60+ years, respectively, and firearm use rates remained steady for both genders during the study period. Logistic regression analysis showed a significantly higher firearm use rate (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.28-1.42) among decedents who resided in nonurbanized areas. Differences in firearm use rates by residential location likely reflect higher firearm ownership in smaller communities and rural than urban areas. The findings underscore the importance of community- and individual-level suicide prevention strategies.

Language: en

Keywords

Firearms; gun ownership; hanging/suffocation; poisoning; rural suicide