Jayna Moceri-Brooks

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Abstract

To examine the differences in treatment seeking behaviors, previous suicidal thoughts, previous suicide attempts, and disclosure of suicidal thoughts among female service members (SM)/Veteran suicide decedents who used a firearm and those who used another method. Data was acquired from the National Violent Death Reporting System which is maintained and monitored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Data included in the present study were from suicide deaths that occurred between 2003-2018. Female SM/Veterans who died by firearm suicide had lower proportions of current mental health or substance use treatment, lifetime mental health or substance use treatment, and previous suicide attempts compared to those who used another method. Female SM/Veterans who die by firearm suicide are less likely to encounter mental health services than those who use another method. Conversations on secure firearm storage need to occur outside of the health care setting.

Abstract

U.S. Armed Forces members experience specific demands and stressors that lead to several risk factors of self-harm or harm against others. Military spouses face unique challenges as partners of service members and are often placed in a position to intervene in potentially harmful situations. This study aimed to use qualitative methods to explore military spouses' exposure to their active-duty partner's risk of violence perpetration, firearm suicide, and associated circumstances such as alcohol use and access to personally owned firearms. Participants were adult spouses/partners of active-duty service members, Reserve or Guard members, or recent Veterans (referred to as "military spouses"). Participants completed a 30- to 60-min in-depth interview. An inductive-deductive approach and pattern coding were used to identify trends and key themes. A total of 34 military spouses participated in interviews. Most participants were female (97.06%), White (76.47%), and non-Hispanic (88.24%). Nearly two thirds (61.76%) of participants reported that they and/or their spouse had access to at least one personally owned firearm within their home. Military spouses shared experiences with real-time crisis management related to harmful or hazardous alcohol use and threats of intimate partner violence and firearm suicide. Participants also noted several perceived barriers to prevention and intervention resources and strategies. Due to military spouses' significant exposure to their partner's suicidal behaviors and threat of violence perpetration, as well as the increased access to lethal means (i.e., firearms) and potential for harmful or hazardous alcohol use, existing prevention and intervention strategies may be insufficient. There are multiple intervention opportunities for health care providers to fill this gap. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

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Objective: This study evaluates Black and AIAN individuals’ self-reported history of being screened for firearm access by healthcare providers, and identifies factors that influence screening. Methods: A cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of included 3015 Black and 527 AIAN adults in the US. Participants were recruited via probability-based sampling. Results: Among Black participants, 13.1% and among AIAN participants, 18.4% reported being screened for firearm access. Of the participants who reported being screened, most have been by mental healthcare providers or primary care physicians. Factors associated with higher screening odds in Black adults included history of suicidal ideation or mental health treatment, current firearm access, younger age, and having children at home. For AIAN participants, a lifetime history of mental health treatment or identifying as female increased screening odds. Conclusion: Black adults report infrequently being screened for firearm access by healthcare providers. Identifying screening barriers and fostering discussions on firearm safety in healthcare settings are important next steps for firearm injury prevention efforts.

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Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, with over 2,500 pediatric deaths annually. Approximately 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms. Despite recommendations for routine firearm safety screening and counseling, many pediatric healthcare providers lack training and confidence. This integrative review examines the effect of firearm safety training on pediatric providers' screening and counseling practices.

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Firearm suicide ranks among the leading causes of death in the U.S. military, with access to personal firearms significantly elevating the risk of firearm-related injuries and death. In this study, we analyzed perceived risks of firearm access and storage among active-duty military service members and embedded civilians with a firearm at home.

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Abstract

Introduction In the USA, an estimated 45% of veterans personally own firearms. Firearm access increases the risk of suicide, so suicide prevention efforts in the US Department of Defense (DoD) focus on lethal means safety, including reducing firearm access. Spouse input may enhance effective messaging and intervention delivery of lethal means safety. This study used qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of military spouses or partners on personal firearm storage, including at-home decisions, on-base storage and existing messaging from the DoD. Materials and methods Qualitative data were obtained using 1:1 interviews and focus groups with spouses/partners of US military service members (active duty, Reserve, National Guard, recently separated from the military) and representatives from military support organisations. Sessions focused on personal firearm storage (at home or on military installations) and military messaging around secure firearm storage and firearm suicide prevention. Data were analysed using a team-based, mixed deductive-inductive approach. Results Across 56 participants (August 2022-March 2023), the themes were variability in current home firearm storage and spousal participation in decision-making; uncertainty about firearm storage protocols on military installations; mixed awareness of secure firearm storage messaging from the military; and uncertainty about procedures or protocols for removing firearm access for an at-risk person. Conclusion US military spouses are important messengers for firearm safety and suicide prevention, but they are currently underutilised. Tailored prevention campaigns should consider spousal dynamics and incorporate education about installation procedures.

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To identify demographic and behavioral correlates of dangerous firearm storage (i.e., unlocked and loaded) among firearm owners in nine states.

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To determine what firearm policies New Jersey residents believe will prevent school shootings and the extent to which this varies by sex, firearm ownership status, and political affiliation.