Study Links Neighborhood Violence and Youth Perceptions of Firearm Accessibility

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing has uncovered important insights into how neighborhood firearm violence influences adolescents' perceptions and behaviors related to guns. Led by Dr. Jungwon Min, the research demonstrates a significant association between exposure to firearm violence in neighborhoods, involvement in fights, and the perceived ease of obtaining firearms outside the home. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from over 23,000 emergency department visits of youths aged 14 to 18, collected between 2013 and 2024.

The findings reveal that adolescents living in areas with higher firearm violence are more likely to believe that firearms are accessible beyond their homes, even if they do not have firearms themselves. Notably, fighting behavior was found to mediate approximately 32% of the relationship between neighborhood violence and perceived firearm availability, highlighting the layered risks faced by youth in high-violence communities.

Dr. Min emphasized the importance of addressing these issues within community and healthcare settings: "Our results show the urgent need for interventions targeting youth firearm access beyond the home. Factors such as neighborhood violence and fighting contribute significantly to how young people perceive firearm availability. Emergency departments can play a crucial role in early identification and prevention strategies." The study underscores that perceptions of firearm accessibility are shaped not only by neighborhood disadvantage but also by individual behaviors.

The research involved linking self-reported perceptions of firearm availability and psychosocial risks to police data on shootings and community-level indices. It suggests that screening for perceived firearm access in emergency settings can be a vital step in preventing youth firearm carriage and associated violence. Co-authors include Vicky Tam, Stephanie Mayne, Polina Krass, and Joel A. Fein.

Source: MedicalXpress