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Aase DM, McManimen S, Hay J, Long C, Bryan CJ. Firearm ownership factors and cognitive functioning: A preliminary study. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 175:200-204. [PMID: 38739953 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that owning a firearm for the purpose of protection and intending to acquire a firearm within the next year are associated with disrupted cognitive-affective processes that may increase firearm suicide risk. Prior studies were limited by self-report measures and would benefit from the utilization of objective indicators of cognitive functioning to clarify associations between firearm ownership and cognitive-affective states. The present study examined objective cognitive performance in a sample of U.S. adults in relation to firearm ownership variables. Based on prior studies, we hypothesized that protective owners and individuals with the intention to acquire a firearm within the next year would demonstrate reduced performance on decision-making, mental flexibility, and emotional bias tasks. A total of 112 participants (61% female, 79% white) completed objective cognitive tasks following completion of a larger survey study through ResearchMatch. Results indicated that intention to purchase a firearm within the next year was not associated with cognitive functioning but was associated with an array of heightened psychiatric symptoms. Owning a firearm for the purpose of protection was associated with decreased mental flexibility relative to non-owners, but no differences were seen for decision-making or emotional bias. These findings represent the first attempt to examine underlying objective cognitive processes related to firearm ownership, and implications for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrin M Aase
- Research and Development, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, 3375 Koapaka Street, Suite B-220, Honolulu, HI, 96706, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, 3650 Olentangy River Road, Ste 310, Columbus, OH, 43214, USA.
| | - Stephanie McManimen
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, 3650 Olentangy River Road, Ste 310, Columbus, OH, 43214, USA
| | - Jarrod Hay
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, 3650 Olentangy River Road, Ste 310, Columbus, OH, 43214, USA
| | - Cameron Long
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, 3650 Olentangy River Road, Ste 310, Columbus, OH, 43214, USA
| | - Craig J Bryan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, 3650 Olentangy River Road, Ste 310, Columbus, OH, 43214, USA; VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, VA Finger Lakes Health Care System, 400 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua, NY, 14424, USA
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Bond AE, Brooks JR, Rodriguez TR, Bandel SL, Anestis MD. Examining characteristics and experiences of Black firearm owners. J Clin Psychol 2023. [PMID: 37190950 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study sought to better understand the characteristics of those who own firearms in the Black community; and to understand how Black firearm owners differ from nonfirearm owning Black individuals on a variety of variables related to safety, threat concerns, and suicide risk. METHODS Two samples were utilized in this study. The first was a subsample of those who identified as Black from a nationally representative sample (N = 502) seeking to understand firearm ownership within the United States. The second used a subsample of those who identified as Black (N = 1086) from a representative sample from New Jersey, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Variables related to safety and threat concerns were included in the second sample. RESULTS In both samples, multiple demographic variables, such as being a woman and having higher education, predicted firearm ownership. In the second sample, experiences of everyday discrimination and crime experiences were associated with firearm ownership. Additionally, Black firearm owners reported significantly more suicidal ideation than Black nonfirearm owners. CONCLUSION The findings demonstrate the unique characteristics and experiences of Black firearm owners and show that firearm ownership is associated with increased suicide risk factors for Black adults. Findings should be used to advocate for the creation of more culturally relevant suicide prevention and firearm means safety strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Bond
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jasmin R Brooks
- Department of Psychology, The University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Taylor R Rodriguez
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shelby L Bandel
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Bond AE, Bandel SL, Anestis MD. Determining subgroups that exist among US firearm owners. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:537-548. [PMID: 35261074 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and verify classes of firearm owners that exist within the United States and determine the sources that classes deemed credible to discuss firearm safety for suicide prevention. METHODS The study is composed of two parts. Part 1 (N = 1018) utilizes a nationally representative sample of firearm owners. Part 2 (N = 1064) consists of firearm owners from Mississippi, Minnesota, and New Jersey. RESULTS Four unique classes were identified in Sample 1: multiple firearms class, single handgun class, few firearms class, and long-gun class. A three-class solution was found for sample 2. Two of the classes from sample 1 replicated: multiple firearms class and single handgun class. Although many of the classes differed in the ranking of credible sources, a combination of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, law enforcement officers, and family members was ranked as credible sources among all classes. CONCLUSIONS Findings provide evidence of the heterogenous nature of firearm owners and can be utilized to better understand the subgroups of firearm owners. Additionally, the findings from the credible sources analyses can be leveraged to create more effective safe firearm storage messaging which may increase adherence with safe storage suggestions and ultimately reduce suicide rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Bond
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shelby L Bandel
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Anestis JC, Anestis MD, Preston OC, Rodriguez TR. Dispositional characteristics in firearm ownership and purchasing behavior during the 2020 purchasing surge. Soc Sci Med 2021; 289:114408. [PMID: 34653931 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE In 2020 the U.S. saw a firearm purchasing surge that was synchronous with the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and notable community unrest. Extant literature has highlighted a potential cohort effect among 2020 firearm purchasers and the importance of characterizing these individuals to inform policy and interventions. Dispositional traits have received minimal attention in the firearm literature overall, despite research that indicates dispositional traits impact intervention interest, access, and effectiveness. OBJECTIVE The current study examined two dispositional traits indicated as important in firearm research - threat sensitivity (THT) and disinhibition (DIS). We hypothesized that 1) firearm owners overall would have lower THT and higher DIS relative to non-firearm owners, 2) mean levels of DIS (but not THT) would be higher among firearm owners who purchased during the 2020 purchasing surge relative to firearm owners who did not and non-firearm owners, and 3) DIS (but not THT) would be related to future plans for purchasing such that mean levels of DIS would be highest amongst those who have plans. METHODS This study used an online-recruited sample (N = 3500) matched to 2010 US Census data. RESULTS Firearm owners demonstrated lower THT and higher DIS than non-firearm owners. 2020 firearm purchasers had higher DIS compared to non-firearm owners and non-purchasing firearm owners, while firearm owners who did not purchase had lower THT compared to non-owners and 2020 purchasers. Plans to purchase in the next 12 months was associated with higher DIS relative to those undecided or without plans. CONCLUSIONS In combination with prior research, findings suggest elevated DIS may drive purchasing as a danger and distress management strategy, while low THT may protect against emotion-based firearm purchasing. Further research is needed to clarify the directionality of these relationships and to identify other dispositional characteristics of those purchasing firearms in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joye C Anestis
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, & Policy, School of Public Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA.
| | - Michael D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, USA; Department of Urban-Global Public Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Taylor R Rodriguez
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, USA; Department of Psychology, School of Arts & Sciences, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, USA
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Anestis MD, Bryan CJ. Threat perceptions and the intention to acquire firearms. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 133:113-118. [PMID: 33338733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Firearm sales have surged during COVID-19, raising concerns about a coming wave of suicide deaths. Little is known, however, about the individuals considering acquiring firearms during the pandemic. Recent research has highlighted that individuals considering acquiring firearms may be motivated by exaggerated threat expectancies. In a sample of 3,500 Americans matched to 2010 United States Census data, we compared individuals intending to buy firearms in the coming 12 months (assessed in late June and early July 2020) to those undecided or not planning to acquire firearms on a range of demographic, anxiety, and firearm ownership variables. Our results indicated that those intending to acquire a firearm in the next twelve months are less tolerant of uncertainty, endorse exaggerated threat expectancies, and are experiencing more severe COVID-19 specific fears. Individuals intending to purchase firearms were also more likely to have experienced suicidal ideation in the past year, to have worked in law enforcement, and to have been considered essential workers during COVID-19. Furthermore, such individuals were more likely to already own firearms and to have purchased firearms during the opening months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those intending to purchase firearms did not endorse lower perceived neighborhood safety, however, indicating that their intent to purchase firearms is unlikely to be driven by tangible threats in their immediate environment. These findings highlight that exaggerated fears may be motivating individuals to purchase firearms to diminish anxiety and that this trend may be particularly common among individuals who already own firearms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, United States; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, United States.
| | - Craig J Bryan
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, United States
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