The Mediating Role of Cognition in the Association between Gun Violence Exposure and Firearm Behavior

• In Event: Gun Violence and Mental Health

Abstract

Gun violence exposure (GVE) is associated with various perceptual and behavioral outcomes. However, little is known about how different forms of GVE relate to perceptions of safety, threat, and utility of firearms and how these factors subsequently affect firearm-related behaviors. Moreover, due to partisan beliefs about firearms and safety, these effects may vary across political orientations. The data for this study come from a sample of adults with firearm access (n = 3,117) drawn from a nationally representative sample of 8,010 U.S. adults. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the associations between GVE and perceptions of neighborhood safety, threat sensitivity, and firearm utility. This study also examined how these perceptions are associated with firearm carrying and storage practices, and how political orientation impacts these relationships. The results revealed a pattern of relationships where liberals were more cognitively responsive to GVE (i.e., increased threat sensitivity and decreased neighborhood safety), while conservatives were more behaviorally reactive (i.e., increased carrying and unsecure storage). The findings also suggested that perceived neighborhood safety was associated with firearm carrying only among liberals and moderates. Notably, media GVE was associated with an increase in the perceived utility of firearms among liberals and a decrease among conservatives.

Authors

• Sultan Altikriti, Rutgers University

• Daniel Semenza, Rutgers University

• Michael D. Anestis, Rutgers University