Youth gun carrying and household firearm ownership in 22 US states.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Youth gun carrying and household firearm ownership in 22 US states.
Authors: Chavez, Leo (AUTHOR), Kivisto, Aaron J. (AUTHOR), Gray, Samantha L. (AUTHOR), Thomas, Kendra J. (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Community Psychology. Sep2022, Vol. 50 Issue 8, p3640-3658. 19p. 5 Charts.
Subjects: Firearms ownership, At-risk youth, Firearms, Households, Communities
Abstract: Youth gun carrying is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including increased risks for homicide, suicide, school disciplinary problems, and criminal legal involvement. In this study we examined the association between state‐level household firearm ownership rates and the odds of past‐year gun carrying among high‐school‐aged youth. Using survey‐weighted multivariable logistic regression models, results showed that each 1% point increase in state‐level gun ownership was associated with a 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.1%, 4.2%], p = 0.001) increased odds of youth gun carrying, controlling for histories of school‐based victimization, physical fighting, and substance use. Among a subset of weapon‐carrying youth, state‐level firearm availability was a significant factor in determining whether the weapon carried was a gun or a less lethal (i.e., nonfirearm) weapon (odds ratio = 1.021, 95% CI = [1.005, 1.038], p = 0.01). These findings show that firearm availability confers additional risk for youth gun carrying beyond the psychosocial risks emphasized in prior research and efforts to restrict youth access to firearms might be particularly important, especially in communities with high levels of household gun ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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Abstract:Youth gun carrying is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including increased risks for homicide, suicide, school disciplinary problems, and criminal legal involvement. In this study we examined the association between state‐level household firearm ownership rates and the odds of past‐year gun carrying among high‐school‐aged youth. Using survey‐weighted multivariable logistic regression models, results showed that each 1% point increase in state‐level gun ownership was associated with a 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.1%, 4.2%], p = 0.001) increased odds of youth gun carrying, controlling for histories of school‐based victimization, physical fighting, and substance use. Among a subset of weapon‐carrying youth, state‐level firearm availability was a significant factor in determining whether the weapon carried was a gun or a less lethal (i.e., nonfirearm) weapon (odds ratio = 1.021, 95% CI = [1.005, 1.038], p = 0.01). These findings show that firearm availability confers additional risk for youth gun carrying beyond the psychosocial risks emphasized in prior research and efforts to restrict youth access to firearms might be particularly important, especially in communities with high levels of household gun ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00904392
DOI:10.1002/jcop.22861