Child maltreatment, suicidal ideation, and in-home firearm availability in the U.S.: findings from the longitudinal studies of child abuse and neglect. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osborne, Melissa C.; Self-Brown, Shannon; Lai, Betty S.
• Is Part Of: International journal of injury control and safety promotion. Volume 29:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Child maltreatment -- child physical abuse -- child emotional abuse suicide -- firearms -- adolescents -- relative risk; Wounds and injuries -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Wounds and Injuries -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Consumer Product Safety -- Periodicals; 363.107
• DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2021.1996397
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-7300

Abstract

Abstract: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents in the U.S., and risk factors include child maltreatment (CM), especially physical and emotional abuse, and in-home firearm availability ('availability'). However, research examining availability among adolescent populations at-risk for CM is limited. This study examines availability in this population, the association between CM and availability, and availability among adolescents experiencing suicidal ideation. A multivariable modified Poisson regression model assessed the relationship between CM by age 12 and availability at age 14 using data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect ( n = 1, 354 families). Approximately 11.61% of adolescents reported availability, and physical abuse increased the risk of availability (aRR = 1.94; 95% CI [1.22, 3.08]). Over one-quarter (27.50%) of adolescents with suicidal ideation at age 16 reported availability. Child welfare-involved families are often referred to interventions. Future research and prevention efforts should explore augmentation of these programmes with firearm safe storage guidance.