Abstract

Background

Suicide, especially by firearm, remains a leading cause of death in military populations in the USA. Reducing access to firearms, especially during high risk times, may help prevent suicide and other forms of violence. The purpose of this study was to adapt a promising existing lethal means safety intervention (Project Safe Guard, PSG) for cross-cutting violence prevention and peer support in active-duty service communities using community engagement methods.

Methods

A two-pronged community-engaged research approach was employed, including the Community Translation (CT) process that engaged 15 Service Members from one installation to help adapt PSG successfully. In addition, qualitative data was collected from 40 active-duty service members and military violence prevention specialists through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

Results

Qualitative data and CT feedback led to site-specific PSG adaptations. Participants emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer discussions and highlighted resource allocation, leadership support, and stigma on firearm ownership as potential implementation challenges.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate the feasibility of community-engaged research to adapt lethal means safety interventions within military populations. PSG implementation should consider resource allocation, leadership support, and addressing stigma. This study has implications for future policies and standards for performing research on sensitive topics, particularly among military populations.

Details

Title
Military community engagement to prevent firearm-related violence: adaptation of project safe guard for service members
Author
Kennedy, S. Rachel 1 ; Buck-Atkinson, Jessica 2 ; Moceri-Brooks, Jayna 3 ; Johnson, Megan L. 4 ; Anestis, Michael D. 5 ; Carrington, Makala 6 ; Baker, Justin C. 7 ; Fisher, Mary E. 8 ; Nease, Donald E. 8 ; Bryan, AnnaBelle O. 7 ; Bryan, Craig J. 7 ; Betz, Marian E. 9   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.499234.1) (ISNI:0000 0004 0433 9255); University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X); University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X) 
 University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X); University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X) 
 Rutgers University, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, USA (GRID:grid.430387.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8796) 
 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.499234.1) (ISNI:0000 0004 0433 9255) 
 University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X); Rutgers University, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, USA (GRID:grid.430387.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8796) 
 University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X) 
 The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Columbus, USA (GRID:grid.412332.5) (ISNI:0000 0001 1545 0811) 
 University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X); University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Community Engagement and Health Equity, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X) 
 University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.499234.1) (ISNI:0000 0004 0433 9255); University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X); University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X); University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Aurora, USA (GRID:grid.430503.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0703 675X) 
Pages
7
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Dec 2024
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
e-ISSN
21971714
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2926317004
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.