Correlates of Intentional and Unintentional Firearm-Related Injuries Among Pediatric Hospital Patients

Authors

• Haley R. Zettler, University of North Texas
• Eraina Schauss, College of Education
• Regan Williams, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
• Kiersten Hawes, College of Education
• Anne Conway, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Sydnie Allen, College of Education
• Jihan Rashed, College of Education
• Brian Ahern, College of Education
• Chi Li, College of Education
• Melanie Burgess, College of Education
• Debra Bartelli, School of Public Health
• Mary Neal, College of Education
• Courtney Loveless, College of Education

Abstract

Gun violence has continued to be the leading cause of pediatric injuries in recent years (CDC, 2022). Given the sparse literature on this topic, the current study examined correlates of the types of firearm-related injuries (i.e. intentional and unintentional) among pediatric patients within the Trauma Services Division of a Level-1 pediatric hospital (N = 87). The results indicated that patients in later developmental stages, particularly adolescence, and those with higher ACE score were significantly more likely to experience an intentional firearm injury, whereas white patients were significantly less likely to experience an intentional firearm injury, highlighting the structural factors that increase the risk of firearm violence including poverty and systemic racism. We discuss the implications and need for expanded hospital- and school-based violence prevention programs.

Publication Title

Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma

Recommended Citation

Zettler, H., Schauss, E., Williams, R., Hawes, K., Conway, A., Allen, S., Rashed, J., Ahern, B., Li, C., Burgess, M., Bartelli, D., Neal, M., & Loveless, C. (2024). Correlates of Intentional and Unintentional Firearm-Related Injuries Among Pediatric Hospital Patients. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 33 (6), 645-661. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2023.2293099