Abstract: In Search of Safety: Firearm Violence, Self-Harm, and Firearm Attitudes Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness (Society for Social Work and Research 31st Annual Conference)

Schedule:

Saturday, January 23, 2027

Union Station 15 (Hilton San Francisco Union Square)

* noted as presenting author

Hana Daher Lopes, MSE, Doctoral Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Hsun-Ta Hsu, PhD, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Annah Bender, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO

Anthony Fulginiti, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Denver, CO

Olga Koumoundouros, MFA, PhD Student, University of Southern California, Brooklyn, NY

Nicole Haseman, MSW, PhD Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC

Maiya Hotchkiss, MSW, PhD Student, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Eric Rice, PhD, Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Sarah Kirk, MA, Doctoral Candidate, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Emelyne Lane, MA, Doctoral Student, University of Missouri-Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO

Background and Purpose: Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) are especially vulnerable to victimization, including firearm-related violence. Although such exposure may result in severe adverse health and mental health outcomes, literature on firearm-related violence and self-harm faced by YAEH is scarce. Furthermore, given YAEH's lived experiences, how they perceive firearms (i.e., attitudes toward firearms), a factor critical to firearm-related harm and injury prevention intervention development, remains unclear. This study aims to explore various forms of firearm-related violence and self-harm experiences among YAEH, and their attitudes toward firearms. Findings of the study will provide critical foundations for developing culturally responsive prevention interventions addressing firearm-related harm and injury among YAEH.

Methods: This study used cross-sectional data collected from a purposive sample of 686 YAEH in St. Louis, MO (n=246) and Los Angeles, CA (n=440), two cities intentionally selected due to significant differences in the levels of firearm regulations between their respective states. Young adults were eligible for the study if they were between 18 and 25 years old and had experienced homelessness in the prior 12 months. Respondents completed a researcher-facilitated tablet-assisted survey designed to explore their firearm-related violence exposure.

Firearm-related violence and self-harm exposure included: lifetime direct (two variables: being shot at and being pointed at with a firearm) and indirect firearm violence victimization, firearm-involved intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, firearm-involved suicide attempts, and consideration of firearms as a suicide method. All firearm-related violence and self-harm experiences were measured with dichotomous variables. Attitudes toward firearms were assessed using the Gun Attitudes Scale, analyzed item-by-item to explore YAEH's nuanced perceptions of firearms. To address the purpose of the study, descriptive analyses were conducted. Chi-square analyses were also implemented to explore differences between two study cities.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.4 years (SD = 2.1). Racial minorities (89%) and LGBTQ+ individuals (46%) were well represented among respondents. Over 45% of YAEH experienced direct firearm violence victimization, and 48% had witnessed someone injured or killed by a firearm. Among those in romantic relationships, 14% were victims of firearm-involved IPV. Over half had attempted suicide; of those, 9% used a firearm in an attempt. Approximately 61% reported having thought about suicide; of those, 30% considered firearms as a means. Respondents predominantly endorsed positive attitudes toward firearms related to safety (all over 58%), while being less supportive of the idea that firearms would give them control and power (all under 41%). Compared to LA, YAEH in St. Louis were significantly more likely to have experienced direct firearm violence victimization and to hold positive attitudes toward firearms for safety (all p < .05).

Conclusion and Implications: YAEH are vulnerable to firearm violence victimization and self-harm, making their positive attitudes toward firearms for safety understandable. Housing interventions may serve as a promising prevention strategy by addressing their safety concerns. Delivering firearm violence and self-harm assessment coupled with trauma-informed crisis interventions in homeless service agencies is critical. Prevention efforts should also be tailored to city- and state-specific policy and normative landscapes to optimize potential effects.