Firearm Ownership As a Moderator of Entrapment,Suicidal Thinking,and Suicide Attempt Likelihood Among Active Duty Military Service Members

Abstract

Suicide remains a public health problem among active duty service members (ADSM). Entrapment, defined as the failed escape from personal (internal) and environmental (external) challenges, and firearms are documented suicide risk factors. However, they have yet to be studied together. The present study had two aims: (1) to examine the direct and interactive effects of entrapment and firearm ownership on suicidal ideation and attempt likelihood, and (2) to explore firearm ownership motivations and storage practices. Participants were ADSM (N = 120) at an outpatient military substance use treatment facility. ADSM completed a questionnaire battery comprising measures of suicidal thinking and behavior, firearm ownership and storage practices, and suicide risk factors. Demographic information was extracted from electronic health records. External entrapment was positively associated with suicidal thinking. Firearm ownership moderated this finding, such that owning a firearm was associated with an unexpected buffering effect on the external entrapment-suicidal ideation link. Among firearm owners, motivations were home protection (93.54%), hunting/sport/hobby (72.6%), other reasons (e.g., training; 14.5%), and for work (6.4%). Firearm owners stored their firearms: locked and unloaded (48.2%), unlocked and loaded (27.4%), locked and loaded (21.0%), and unlocked and unloaded (19.4%). External entrapment appears to be important and uniquely experienced among ADSM. Findings extend the Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model of Suicide, and offer indirect support for the Coping Model of Protective Gun Ownership Protective. Findings may inform the need for nuanced lethal means reduction, such as discussion of safe firearm storage practices, discussing the role of entrapment, and identifying coping skills that may replace personal firearms.

Keywords

firearms ownership military entrapment suicide

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