Characteristics of people who report firearm suicidal ideation in the USA

Objectives Firearms are the most common method of suicide, yet little is known about the attributes of people who contemplate firearm suicide. The objective of this study was to describe people who endorse firearm suicidal ideation (FASI) in terms of associations with gun ownership and experiences, mental health problems, substance use, antisocial behaviour and personality characteristics.

Methods Data were collected as part of a national online survey of adults living in the USA, the cross-sectional sample from wave 8 was analysed (N=1579). Logistic regression and analysis of variance models were fit to examine the associations between lifetime FASI and gun ownership and experience, and several mental health, substance use, antisocial behaviour and personality variables.

Results The rate of lifetime FASI was 10.2% (n=161). FASI was associated with gun ownership and more experience with firearms, as well as higher levels of depressed mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviours, past suicide attempts, alcohol and drug use, antisocial behaviour and intimate partner violence. In terms of personality traits, FASI was associated with greater negative emotions, desire for power but also feeling powerless, and lower agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Conclusions While not common, FASI is not rare and has a profile characterised by higher-intensity mental health problems, substance use, antisocial behaviour and personality traits associated with severe externalising problems and suicide. Research on FASI as a distinct construct should continue given the high lethality of firearms as a method of suicide.