Differentiating Suicide Decedents Who Died Using Firearms From Those Who Died Using Other Methods
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2017
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Studies have documented a link between gun ownership and suicide, but little is known about characteristics of those most likely to use a gun in a suicide attempt rather than alternative methods. We examined which factors differentiate suicide decedents who died using a gun from those who died by other methods. We further examined whether such findings are consistent within the subcomponent of our larger sample comprised entirely of gun owning suicide decedents. Data reflect 267 suicide decedents, with data provided by individuals who identified as having lost someone to suicide (loss survivors). Within the full sample, a higher proportion of gun-owning and male suicide decedents died by firearm. Further, individuals who had previously discussed suicide or engaged in one or more non-lethal suicide attempts were less likely to die by suicide using a gun. Within the subsample of gun owning suicide decedents, a greater proportion of decedents who stored guns at home and in unsecure locations died from self-inflected gunshot wounds. These findings add clarity to the relationship between firearm ownership and death by suicide at the individual level. Furthermore, these findings are consistent with the notion that means safety implementation may represent a vital suicide prevention tool.
Publication Title
Psychiatry Research
Volume
252
First Page
23
Last Page
28
Recommended Citation
Anestis, M. D.,
Khazem, L. R.,
Anestis, J. C.
(2017). Differentiating Suicide Decedents Who Died Using Firearms From Those Who Died Using Other Methods. Psychiatry Research, 252, 23-28.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/15230
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