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Gun ownership, political conservatism tied to suicide risk

Residents of states with the highest rates of firearm ownership and political conservatism were at greater risk for suicide compared with those living in more liberal states with lower rates of firearm ownership, according to recent study results.

Study researcher Augustine J. Kposowa, PhD, of the University of California, Riverside, said the findings suggest that individual behavior can be influenced by state-level characteristics, such as suicide rates and firearm availability.

 

Augustine J. Kposowa

Kposowa examined mortality data from the US Multiple Cause of Death Files for 2000 to 2004 to determine the number of completed suicides in a state-by-state basis. State-level firearm availability was determined using data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative sample in which respondents reported on gun ownership. Political conservatism was measured by the proportion of a state’s electorate who voted for George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election.

Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the primary covariates of state-level suicide rates, firearm ownership and political conservatism and individual suicide risk.

Results indicated that the state suicide rate significantly elevated an individual’s risk for suicide (adjusted OR=1.042, 95% CI, 1.037-1.046). Kposowa said it is possible that a state’s higher suicide rate would increase its citizens’ awareness of suicide and also promote attitudes favorable to suicide.

The availability of firearms (AOR=1.004; 95% CI, 1.003-1.006) and political conservatism (AOR=1.005; 95% CI, 1.003-1.007) at the state level were also associated with increased suicide risk. States with the highest rates of gun ownership tended to have the highest suicide rates, including Alaska (28.8%), Montana (21.2%) and Wyoming (21%).

The finding that a state’s conservatism was associated with suicide risk is inconsistent with previous studies, which have suggested that liberalism was more conducive or accepting of suicide. Kposowa said the relationship between political beliefs and suicide should be studied further.

However, results also indicated that church membership at the state level reduced an individual’s risk for suicide (AOR=0.995, 95% CI, 0.993-0.996). Kposowa said it is plausible that religious views and doctrine regarding suicide may mitigate the risk.

The results remained consistent even after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables.

Disclosure: Kposowa reports no relevant financial disclosures.