Journal of Education and Human Development

Are Young Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Risk Factors Associated with Household Firearm Ownership and Storage?
Adriana D. Cimetta, PhD, MPH, Michael L. Sulkowski, PhD, Christina A. Cutshaw, PhD David B. Yaden, Jr., PhD, Ronald W. Marx, PhD

Abstract
This study describes firearm ownership and storage practices among families with young children with emotional and behavioral risk factors. Data were cross-sectional and included families with young children (2 months to 6 years) from Arizona (N=4501). Parents reported if firearms were present in the home and how firearms were stored, locked or unlocked. Parents also reported if their child displayed behavioral or emotional problems. Results indicate that having a young child with emotional and behavioral risk factors was not significantly related to firearm ownership or storage practices. Among firearm-owning households, 29% reported storing firearms unlocked with a child having a history of emotional and behavioral risk factors, compared to 26% with a child absent of such factors. Findings suggest that unsecure firearm storage practices in the presence of children with emotional and behavioral risk factors warrant increased parental education and awareness creating a pivotal role for educators and health professionals in firearm injury prevention.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jehd.v9n3a3