TY - JOUR PY - 2020// TI - Suicidal ideation in the context of prospective firearm ownership JO - Psychiatry research A1 - Stanley, Ian H. A1 - Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie J. A1 - Joiner, Thomas E. SP - e113584 EP - e113584 VL - 295 IS - N2 - Most suicide deaths in the United States are enacted with a firearm, and recent and first-time purchasers of firearms represent at-risk groups. This study aimed to examine differences in indicators of suicide risk among individuals who either (a) reported current firearm ownership/access or (b) denied current firearm ownership/access but reported an intention to obtain a firearm (i.e., prospective firearm owners). Participants were 96 young adults with a lifetime history of suicidal ideation and firearm ownership, access, or interest. We assessed recent suicidal ideation severity with the Depressive Symptom Index-Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS) and sought to internally replicate findings with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) item 9. Fifty-two (54.2%) participants reported firearm ownership/access and 44 (45.8%) identified as prospective firearm owners. Prospective firearm owners had significantly greater DSI-SS suicidal ideation severity scores compared with those who already own/have access to a firearm, corresponding to a medium effect size; results were consistent with the PHQ-9 suicidal ideation item.

FINDINGS of this initial investigation suggest that the intention to commence firearm ownership might represent an at-risk period, especially for individuals with a history of suicidal thinking. Replication of findings in larger and more clinically severe samples is needed.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0165-1781 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113584 ID - ref1 ER -