Relationships between PTSD symptom clusters and firearm storage and carrying practices among veterans.

BACKGROUND

Firearm suicide is highly prevalent among U.S. veterans. Research suggests that firearm ownership and unsecure firearm storage elevate risk, both of which are common among veterans. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may contribute to both suicide risk and unsecure storage, yet research examining PTSD symptom clusters and firearm storage practices remains limited.

METHODS

Veterans (n = 145) who owned a firearm or lived in a home with a firearm were recruited from an outpatient VA mental health clinic. Participants completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) which provides subscale scores for intrusion, avoidance, changes in cognition and mood, and arousal symptoms. Veterans were also assessed for unsecure firearm storage and carrying practices. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associations between PCL-5 symptom clusters and four discrete firearm storage or carrying behaviors.

RESULTS

PCL-5 arousal symptoms were associated with increased odds of storing firearms unlocked (OR = 1.164, 95% CI [1.045-1.297], p = .006). PCL-5 avoidance symptoms were associated with decreased odds of carrying a loaded firearm (OR = 0.676, 95% CI [0.488, 0.935], p = .018).

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight that specific PTSD symptom clusters are associated with discrete firearm storage and carrying behaviors. These results may inform more precise lethal means counseling approaches for veterans with PTSD and contribute to broader efforts to develop more tailored and effective suicide prevention interventions for this vulnerable population.