Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study
Most adolescents and young adult victims of firearm violence survive, yet the mental and behavioral health outcomes associated with these incidents remain understudied. Given the potential for recurrent violence victimization and long-term psychosocial sequela after being shot, understanding the exp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580251339075 |
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| author | Annalyn S. DeMello PhD Jeff R. Temple PhD Liam de Vassal BSN Irma Alvarado PhD Angela Waguespack Monique R. Pappadis PhD Jong O. Lee MD Leila G. Wood PhD |
| author_facet | Annalyn S. DeMello PhD Jeff R. Temple PhD Liam de Vassal BSN Irma Alvarado PhD Angela Waguespack Monique R. Pappadis PhD Jong O. Lee MD Leila G. Wood PhD |
| author_sort | Annalyn S. DeMello PhD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Most adolescents and young adult victims of firearm violence survive, yet the mental and behavioral health outcomes associated with these incidents remain understudied. Given the potential for recurrent violence victimization and long-term psychosocial sequela after being shot, understanding the experiences of firearm injury survivors is a critical area for development. We conducted a qualitative study to explore the development of attitudes, describe psychosocial consequences, and contextualize behavioral and social outcomes among young, gunshot wounded (GSW) patients from a Level 1 trauma center in southeast Texas. A retrospective chart review and prospective recruitment of GSW patients aged 15 to 29 years old was conducted between January 2019 and February 2023. A semi-structured, individual interview was conducted via Zoom with 11 participants (8 interpersonal assault survivors and 3 survivors of unintentional/accidental self-shootings). Most participants were shot 1 to 2 years prior to the interview. Themes included: (1) post-traumatic stress symptoms persisted, marked by flashbacks, paranoia, distrust, and anxiety. This led to sleep loss, marijuana use, and loss of enjoyment in activities; (2) loneliness and social isolation were directly related to the injuries and common among young adults who incurred body image alterations; and (3) fervor for firearm ownership, carriage, and gun use increased post-injury. Healthcare systems and the larger community have important roles to play in promoting mental healing and enhancing societal safety through research and practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-954505f3194140c1be5bb48db66872fa |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0046-9580 1945-7243 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing |
| spelling | doaj-art-954505f3194140c1be5bb48db66872fa2025-08-20T02:02:43ZengSAGE PublishingInquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing0046-95801945-72432025-05-016210.1177/00469580251339075Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative StudyAnnalyn S. DeMello PhD0Jeff R. Temple PhD1Liam de Vassal BSN2Irma Alvarado PhD3Angela Waguespack4Monique R. Pappadis PhD5Jong O. Lee MD6Leila G. Wood PhD7The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USAThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USAMemorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Houston, TX, USAThe University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX, USAUT Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USAThe University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX, USAShriners Children’s Texas, Galveston, TX, USAThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USAMost adolescents and young adult victims of firearm violence survive, yet the mental and behavioral health outcomes associated with these incidents remain understudied. Given the potential for recurrent violence victimization and long-term psychosocial sequela after being shot, understanding the experiences of firearm injury survivors is a critical area for development. We conducted a qualitative study to explore the development of attitudes, describe psychosocial consequences, and contextualize behavioral and social outcomes among young, gunshot wounded (GSW) patients from a Level 1 trauma center in southeast Texas. A retrospective chart review and prospective recruitment of GSW patients aged 15 to 29 years old was conducted between January 2019 and February 2023. A semi-structured, individual interview was conducted via Zoom with 11 participants (8 interpersonal assault survivors and 3 survivors of unintentional/accidental self-shootings). Most participants were shot 1 to 2 years prior to the interview. Themes included: (1) post-traumatic stress symptoms persisted, marked by flashbacks, paranoia, distrust, and anxiety. This led to sleep loss, marijuana use, and loss of enjoyment in activities; (2) loneliness and social isolation were directly related to the injuries and common among young adults who incurred body image alterations; and (3) fervor for firearm ownership, carriage, and gun use increased post-injury. Healthcare systems and the larger community have important roles to play in promoting mental healing and enhancing societal safety through research and practice.https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580251339075 |
| spellingShingle | Annalyn S. DeMello PhD Jeff R. Temple PhD Liam de Vassal BSN Irma Alvarado PhD Angela Waguespack Monique R. Pappadis PhD Jong O. Lee MD Leila G. Wood PhD Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing |
| title | Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Psychosocial Impacts of Non-Fatal Firearm Injuries on Youth: Findings from a Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | psychosocial impacts of non fatal firearm injuries on youth findings from a qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580251339075 |
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