Mental health outcomes from direct and indirect exposure to firearm violence: A cohort study of nonfatal shooting survivors and family members

Abstract

Background: Firearm violence is a public health crisis in the US. Beyond the survivor, firearm violence also impacts family members and communities of firearm violence survivors. Despite the known health inequities that exist among nonfatal shooting survivors, little research has focused on the mental health needs of family members of nonfatal shootings survivors.

Methods: Police and Medicaid claims data linked at the individual level between January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Medicaid case number was used to identify nonfatal shooting survivors and family members. Differences in mental health prevalence and clinical care utilization were examined in the 12-months preceding and following an index nonfatal shooting for both survivors and family members. Results were stratified by age.

Results: Mental health prevalence rates increased by nearly three percent for family members of nonfatal shooting survivors in the 12-months following a nonfatal shooting, compared to the preinjury period. Among youth with a new mental health diagnosis over half were family members and no differences were observed in mental health conditions between survivors and family members.

Conclusions: Findings indicate a need for improved trauma informed services and connection to mental health care for both youth survivors and family members of nonfatal shootings.