Homicide-followed-by-suicide incidents involving child victims

A Descriptive Study of the Characteristics of Homicide-Suicide in Forensic Autopsy Cases

Homicide followed by suicide (HS) is a tragic event with varied characteristics across countries and regions. Compared to Western countries, there are limited studies on HS in Asian countries. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the characteristics of recent HS cases by examining forensic autopsy records from 2008 to 2020 collected from the Department of Legal Medicine, Chiba University, in Japan. A total of 77 HS cases were identified, involving 77 perpetrators (52 completed suicides, 25 attempted suicides), with 28 perpetrator and 89 victim autopsies. Our findings showed that older adults accounted for nearly half of the victims; victims were mostly females, whereas most perpetrators were male. The most common HS relationship was that between a parent and a child. Autopsy findings showed that the most common cause of death was strangulation, and illegal drugs were detected only in a few cases; however, psychotropic drugs were detected in child victims. No obvious evidence of past child physical abuse by caregivers was found. In contrast, intimate partner violence (IPV) was present, with a history of IPV found in half of HS cases involving adult intimate partner relationships. Notably, gender differences in age and relationship to the victim were identified. Likewise, some perpetrators may have expressed their plans and intentions for HS before the event, which may represent an important sign for HS prevention. However, to accurately reveal the course of HS, nationwide integrated statistics, forensic autopsies, including toxicological analyses of the deceased; and forensic psychiatric perspectives, including psychological autopsy, are required.

A systematic review of literature on homicide followed by suicide and mental state of perpetrators

BACKGROUND

Homicide followed by suicide is rare, devastating and perpetrated worldwide. It is commonly assumed that the perpetrator had a mental disorder, raising concomitant questions about prevention. Though events have been reported, there has been no previous systematic review of the mental health of perpetrators.

AIMS

Our aims were twofold. First, to identify whether there are recognisable subgroups of homicide-suicides in published literature and, secondly, to investigate the relationship between perpetrator mental state and aspects of the incident.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of published literature on studies of homicide followed within 24 h by suicide or serious suicide attempt that included measures of perpetrator mental state.

RESULTS

Sixty studies were identified, most from North America or Europe. Methodologically, studies were too heterogeneous for meta-analysis. They fell into three main groups: family, mass shooter, and terrorist with an additional small mixed group. There was evidence of mental illness in a minority of perpetrators; its absence in the remainder was only partially evidenced. There was no clear association between any specific mental illness and homicide-suicide type, although depression was most cited. Social role disjunction, motive, substance misuse and relevant risk or threat behaviours were themes identified across all groups. Pre-established ideology was relevant in the mass shooter and terrorism groups. Prior trauma history was notable in the terrorist group.

CONCLUSION

Research data were necessarily collected post-incident and in most cases without a standardised approach, so findings must be interpreted cautiously. Nevertheless, they suggest at least some preventive role for mental health professionals. Those presenting to services with depression, suicidal ideation, relationship difficulties and actual, or perceived, changes in social position or role would merit detailed, supportive assessment over time.

Firearm Homicides of US Children Precipitated by Intimate Partner Violence: 2003-2020

OBJECTIVES

Examine characteristics associated with firearm homicides of children aged 0-17 years precipitated by intimate partner violence (IPV).

METHODS

Data were from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System (49 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico; 2003-2020). Logistic regression was used to examine associations between various characteristics and IPV among child firearm homicides.

RESULTS

From 2003-2020, a total of 11 594 child homicides were captured in the National Violent Death Reporting System, of which 49.3% (n = 5716) were firearm homicides; 12.0% (n = 686) of child firearm homicides were IPV-related. Among IPV-related child firearm homicides, 86.0% (n = 590) were child corollary victims (ie, children whose death was connected to IPV between others); 14.0% (n = 96) were teens killed by a current or former dating partner. Child firearm homicides had greater odds of involving IPV when precipitated by conflict, crises, and cooccurring with the perpetrator's suicide compared with those without these characteristics. Over half of IPV-related firearm homicides of child corollary victims included homicide of the adult intimate partner, of which 94.1% were the child victim's mother. Child firearm homicides perpetrated by mothers' male companions (adjusted odds ratio, 6.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.9-12.1) and children's fathers (adjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-6.8) had greater odds of involving IPV compared with those perpetrated by mothers.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple factors were associated with greater odds of child firearm homicides being IPV-related. Strategies promoting healthy intimate partner relationships starting at a young age; assessment of danger to children in IPV situations; strengthening economic supports for families; creating safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for children; and addressing social and structural inequities are important for preventing firearm homicides of children, including those involving IPV.

Research utility and limitations of textual data in the National Violent Death Reporting System: a scoping review and recommendations

BACKGROUND

Many studies of injury deaths rely on mortality data that contain limited contextual information about decedents. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is unique among such data systems in that each observation includes both quantitative variables and qualitative texts (called "narratives") abstracted from original source documents. These narratives provide rich data regarding salient circumstances that can be used to inform prevention efforts. This review provides a comprehensive summary of peer-reviewed research using NVDRS narratives over the past 20 years, including the limitations of these texts and provides recommendations on utilizing and improving narrative quality for researchers and practitioners.

MAIN BODY

Studies that used narratives to examine deaths related to suicide, homicide, undetermined intent, accidental firearm, or legal intervention were identified by a title/abstract screening, followed by a full-text review. The search was conducted on English-language, peer-reviewed literature and government reports published from 2002 to 2022 in PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Abstracted elements focused on the methodologies used to analyze the narratives, including approaches to explore potential biases in these texts. Articles were abstracted independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved through consensus discussion. During the 20-year period, 111 articles used narratives. Two-thirds studied suicide (n = 48, 43%) and homicides (n = 25, 23%). Most studies analyzed the narratives using manual review (n = 81, 73%) and keyword searches (n = 9, 8%), with only 6 (5%) using machine learning tools. Narratives were mainly used for case finding (n = 49, 44%) and characterization of circumstances around deaths (n = 38, 34%). Common challenges included variability in the narratives and lack of relevant circumstantial details for case characterization.

CONCLUSION

Although the use of narratives has increased over time, these efforts would be enhanced by detailed abstraction of circumstances with greater salience to injury research and prevention. Moreover, researchers and practitioners would benefit from guidance on integrating narratives with quantitative variables and standardized approaches to address variability in the completeness and length of narratives. Such efforts will increase the reliability of findings and set the stage for more widespread applications of data science methods to these texts.

Factors contributing to filicide-suicide: Differences between male and female perpetrators

BACKGROUND

One-quarter of homicide-suicide deaths in the U.S. are children. Filicide-suicide, a subset of homicide-suicide involving parent or caregiver perpetrators, is the most common form of homicide-suicide involving children. While these incidents have significant impacts, relatively few studies examine modifiable factors that contribute to these incidents.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of circumstances and contributing factors for filicide-suicide deaths, focusing on the individual and interpersonal differences between male and female perpetrators.

PARTICIPANTS

This study utilized data from the National Violent Deaths Reporting System (NVDRS), which included 76 filicide-suicide incidents reported to NVDRS in 32 U.S. states between 2013 and 2015.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative content analysis, which was grounded in the Marzuk, Tardiff, and Hirsch (1992) framework. We reviewed the filicide-suicide narratives and engaged in conversations about codes or themes that emerged for the filicide-suicide narratives. Additional codes were added as needed, and narratives were retroactively coded to ensure codes were consistently applied.

RESULTS

Relationship conflict and mental health issues were common among male and female perpetrators, but the manifestation of these factors differed greatly. For female perpetrators, relationship conflict, mental health issues, and children's chronic health issues commonly co-occurred. In contrast, relationship conflict, history of violence, and consequences of violence (e.g., legal issues, job problems) more commonly co-occurred among male perpetrators.

CONCLUSION

Filicide-suicides are preventable acts of violence with numerous contributing factors. Our findings highlight the need for prevention efforts to recognize interpersonal experiences, particularly differences between male and female perpetrators.

Neonaticides in the United States-2008-2017

Objective

This study examines factors associated with homicide in the first 24 hours of life (i.e., neonaticide) in the United States.

Methods

National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) linked birth-infant death data, for 50 states and the District of Columbia, from 2008 through 2017, were used to examine characteristics associated with neonaticide. National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data were used to examine circumstances of neonaticides that occurred in 14 states. Circumstances of neonaticides are described, and rates for maternal and infant characteristics are presented as rates per 100,000 person-years.

Results

Among neonaticide victims in NVSS (N = 81), those of mothers who are young, unmarried, non-Hispanic, Black, and have lower education levels, are at an increased risk of neonaticide. Further, among mothers in NVDRS who committed neonaticide (N = 42), 66.7% were known to have given birth at a residence, without medical assistance. Approximately three-fourths (73.8%; n = 31) concealed their pregnancy, with 35.7% (n = 15) disposing of their infants in a trash receptacle after giving birth. Additionally, more than half of neonaticide victims were tested for alcohol, opioids, amphetamines, and cocaine, but a relatively small number tested positive for these substances.

Conclusions

Results highlight the importance of identifying factors that elevate risk to neonates so these deaths can be prevented. As such, many mothers who commit neonaticide are young, unmarried, and conceal their pregnancy; thus, programs that prevent teen pregnancy, decrease shame and stigma associated with birth to young mothers, and provide support and resources to pregnant women, may help prevent neonaticide.

Unvollendet gebliebener Versuch eines erweiterten Suizids durch Stromeinwirkung in der Badewanne

Während sich heutzutage in westlichen Ländern erweiterte Suizide ganz überwiegend in (gescheiterten) Partnerbeziehungen ereignen, stellen Kindstötungen mit nachfolgendem Suizid eines Elternteils ein seltenes Ereignis dar. Vorgestellt wird der ungewöhnliche Fall eines versuchten Homizid-Suizides einer 36-jährigen Frau, die durch das Einbringen eines eingeschalteten Föhns in das Badewasser beabsichtigte, sich und ihre 7 Jahre alte Tochter zu töten. Während sich das Kind selbstständig aus der Wanne befreien und die Großeltern informieren konnte, wurde die Frau in benommenem Zustand von ihrem Vater vorgefunden. Beim Versuch, seine Tochter aus der Badewanne zu bergen, habe er einen Stromfluss verspürt. Bemerkenswerterweise haben alle 3 Personen ohne gesundheitlichen Schaden überlebt; sie wiesen keine Strommarken auf. Die ungewöhnliche Fallkonstellation, die elektrotechnischen Aspekte und die psychiatrische Vorgeschichte der Täterin, die zum Tatzeitpunkt unter dem Einfluss von Alkohol und eines sedierenden Mittels stand, werden unter Berücksichtigung der einschlägigen Literatur diskutiert.

An examination of fatal child poisonings in the United States using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), 2012-2017

BACKGROUND

Fatal drug overdoses are predominantly attributed to opioids. Women of childbearing age are among those at greatest risk, underscoring the need to understand the overlapping risk of fatal poisoning in children.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of fatal poisonings among decedents aged 0-9 years captured in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2012 to 2017 was employed. Poisonings were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes for poisonings (T36-T50, Y10-Y19), toxic effects of substances (T51-T65), and assault (X85-X90). The frequency and types of drugs involved in poisonings were derived from toxicological analysis. Logistic regression was used to model the odds of fatal poisoning by decedent and perpetrator characteristics. Qualitative content analysis was used to contextualize the patterns of fatal poisonings.

FINDINGS

1850 violent deaths were identified; 7% (n = 122) were poisoning-related, and 50% of these were attributed to opioids. Next, benzodiazepines (8%), amphetamines (7%), and antidepressants (5%) were most prevalent. Among poisoning-related deaths, 25% involved homicide-suicide. No differences in deaths were observed according to child race/ethnicity, and the risk of fatal poisoning decreased 6% with each year of child age. Following qualitative analysis, three unique categories of fatal poisoning emerged: "intentional administration without documented benign intent", "intentional administration with benign intent", and "unclear administration".

CONCLUSION

The high proportion of fatal poisonings in children attributed to opioids in this study suggests a need for universal dissemination and training of naloxone in households comprised of children living with parents experiencing, or in recovery for substance misuse. Findings also indicate a needed emphasis on safe storage practices and education to parents about the risk of prescription drug toxicity in children.

An Epidemiologic Examination of Perpetrators of Fatal Child Maltreatment Using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)

Fatal child maltreatment in the United States increased 12.9% from 2013 to 2016. Parents are the predominant perpetrators, underscoring the need to examine risk factors associated with this class of offenders. This study examined the relationship between three primary forms of fatal child maltreatment (neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide) and perpetrator characteristics. Using the National Violent Death Reporting System, we employed a retrospective observational study to examine fatal child maltreatment in decedents aged 10 years and below from 2011 to 2015. Multinomial logistic regression of 1,023 maltreatment-related deaths was used to evaluate perpetrator characteristics. Perpetrators were most often male (58%) and the parent of the child victim (53%). Intimate partners represented 22% of perpetrators. The odds of fatal maltreatment were modified by perpetrator age, sex, and relationship to the victim. Results underscore a need for male-focused interventions and research examining the etiology of violence against children perpetrated by the intimate partner of a parent.

Child maltreatment fatalities among children and adolescents 5-17 years old

BACKGROUND

Child maltreatment-related fatalities occur among children of all ages. However, few published studies have examined child abuse and neglect deaths among older children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To epidemiologically describe child maltreatment-related fatalities among children in the United States 5-17 years old.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Ten years of data from the United States National Violent Death Reporting System (2006-2015) were analyzed to examine child maltreatment deaths among children 5-17 years of age.

METHODS

Child fatalities attributed to homicide or undetermined causes were reviewed by the study team to identify deaths related to child abuse and/or neglect, injury mechanisms, relationships between perpetrators and victims, victim and perpetrator characteristics, and circumstances surrounding the deaths.

RESULTS

The study team identified 285 abuse- and/or neglect-related fatalities during the study period. The mean age of the victims was 9.2 years and 54.4 % of victims were male. Suspected perpetrators were most frequently mothers (28.1 %) and fathers (26.3 %). The most common injury mechanism was firearms (20.7 %). A significantly greater percentage of deaths among children 11-17 years were attributable to firearms (31.6 %), compared to deaths among children 5-10 years. Among younger children 5-10 years, blunt force trauma was the most frequent injury mechanism (22.6 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Older children and adolescents are frequently excluded from child maltreatment research. Although child maltreatment deaths are less common among older children compared to younger children, these fatalities have unique characteristics that should be considered when developing prevention strategies.

Familicide: A Systematic Literature Review

Familicides have received relatively little attention and are mostly discussed in studies with broader aims. Here, we reviewed 67 studies from 18 countries on familicides, in which an offender killed or attempted to kill their current or former spouse/intimate partner and one or more of their biological or stepchildren. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Eight studies investigated familicide specifically, while the remaining reported on familicide cases as a subsample. We retrieved data on offenders' gender, age, and background as well as on victims and their relationship to the offender. We also retrieved data on contextual factors and offense characteristics (i.e., modus operandi, offense location, premeditation, and whether or not the offender had committed suicide). We also coded methodological aspects of the studies. Familicides were almost exclusively committed by men and about half of the familicide cases led to the suicide of the offender. Mental health problems, relationship problems, and financial difficulties were prevalent. Because few studies reported population base rates of the investigated characteristics, it is difficult to draw conclusions about specific risk factors. Future research should further investigate typologies of familicide and examine risk factors for different types of familicides.

Is familicide a distinct subtype of mass murder? Evidence from a Swiss national cohort

BACKGROUND

Familicide is defined as the killing of a whole family and, numerically, a form of "mass murder" (more-or-less three simultaneous killings). Switzerland has a lower rate of homicide than most other countries but a comparatively high share of homicides within the family.

AIM

The aim of this study is to describe a complete national sample of familicides and compare them with other types of mass murders in the country over the same period.

METHODS

All cases of three or more unlawful homicides in one event in Switzerland between 1972 and 2015 were identified from court records and socio-demographic, criminological, and psychological variables were extracted. Given small numbers, we rely on narrative comparisons.

RESULTS

There were 20 familicides in the 43-year study, with 82 victims between them as well as six felony-associated mass murders accounting for 19 victims and nine public mass murders with 44 victims. Only one familicide was a woman; mean age was 39.5 years (range 19-57 years). Most were in employment. Only four had a prior psychiatric history. Nine had a history of violent or intrusive behaviour, but a prior criminal conviction was rare. In all but one case there was evidence of psychosocial stressors; eight men were facing separation from a spouse. Just over half used guns, but only three used army weapons. The main difference between the familicides and the other mass killers was the much higher rate of suicide among the familicides.

CONCLUSIONS

Familicides in Switzerland appear to be rare suicidal acts, generally carried out by previously successful and apparently stable middle-aged men with often an inconspicuous psychiatric history or criminal record, differing considerably from other groups of mass killers. Expert responses, like the recently established multidisciplinary "threat management boards" in Switzerland, should bear in mind that the likely competent men involved may be good at covering their intent even from themselves.

Correlates of Intimate Partner Homicide among Male Suicide Decedents with Known Intimate Partner Problems

OBJECTIVE

Intimate partner (IP) problems are risk factors for suicide among men. However, there is little understanding of why some male suicide decedents who had such problems killed their partners before death (i.e., "IP homicide-suicide"), while most of these decedents did not. To inform prevention efforts, this study identified correlates of IP homicide among male suicide decedents with known IP problems.

METHODS

We examined IP homicide correlates among male suicide decedents aged 18+ years who had known IP problems using 2003-2015 National Violent Death Reporting System data. Prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for demographic, incident, and circumstance variables. IP homicide-suicide narratives were examined to identify additional prevention opportunities.

RESULTS

An estimated 1,504 (5.0%) of 30,259 male suicide decedents who had IP problems killed their partner. IP homicide-suicide perpetration was positively correlated with suicide by firearm and precipitating civil legal problems but negatively correlated with mental health/substance abuse treatment. An estimated 33.7% of IP homicide-suicides occurred during a breakup; 21.9% of IP homicide-suicide perpetrators had domestic violence histories.

CONCLUSIONS

Connections between the criminal justice and mental health systems as well as stronger enforcement of laws prohibiting firearm possession among domestic violence offenders may prevent IP homicide-suicides.

Factors contributing to homicide-suicide: differences between firearm and non-firearm deaths

The primary aim of this study is to determine the relationship between situational factors, method of death, and homicide-suicide deaths, specifically comparing method of death (firearm vs. nonfirearm) across these factors. We used data from the national violence death reporting system, a reporting system for violent deaths that links data from multiple sources. We included incidents that involved at least one homicide death followed by perpetrator suicide in the 42 states from 2013 to 2016. In addition to univariate analyses, we compared proportions of incidents that included a firearm to non-firearm incidents by incident, victim, and perpetrator characteristics. By far, firearm-related injuries were the most frequent cause of death for victims (85.6%) and for perpetrators (89.5%). Women, Hispanic individuals, individuals with a current mental health issue, and individuals with recent depression symptoms had lower odds of using a firearm, as did perpetrators who killed both an intimate partner and other family member. Individuals who had recently been in a fight had increased odds of using a firearm. Despite these differences, the overwhelming majority of homicide-suicide deaths involved firearms, which supports the need for adequate, appropriate firearm control measures to prevent these tragedies.

The Role of Intimate Partner Violence in Homicides of Children Aged 2-14 Years

INTRODUCTION

Child victims physically harmed in intimate partner violence incidents are understudied. The U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System abstractors can identify intimate partner violence-related child homicides in part through descriptive narratives from coroner/medical examiner and law enforcement reports. This study characterizes these homicides and assesses how well the coded and narrative data within the National Violent Death Reporting System align in identifying intimate partner violence-related child homicides.

METHODS

This study examines homicides of children ages 2-14 years from 16 states for 2005-2014. An existing variable purportedly indicates intimate partner violence-related child homicides where the perpetrator also kills or attempts to kill the intimate partner (Type 1) or intimate partner conflict (e.g., divorce, separation, custody) precedes the homicide (Type 2). The authors read all narratives in 2018 to assess whether the death was intimate partner violence-related and compared this classification to that coded by the National Violent Death Reporting System abstractor.

RESULTS

Of 1,386 child homicide victims, 144 (10.4%) were coded in the National Violent Death Reporting System as intimate partner violence-related. However, from the narratives, an additional 138 were classified as intimate partner violence-related, identifying a total of 280 (20.2%) victims. Of the 280 victims, 54.3% were killed in Type 1 incidents. Compared with other perpetrators of child homicides, intimate partner violence-related perpetrators were more likely to be white, use a firearm, and die by suicide. Type 2 incidents were more likely than Type 1 to be homicide-suicides.

CONCLUSIONS

The National Violent Death Reporting System currently understates intimate partner violence-related child homicide cases. Many cases involve immediate intimate partner conflict, suggesting the need for services to help people cope before conflicts lead to deadly incidents. Primary prevention of intimate partner violence may have survival benefits for children.

Characteristics of Homicide-Suicide in Australia: A Comparison With Homicide-Only and Suicide-Only Cases

Homicide-suicide represents one of the rarest forms of lethal violence but often precipitates calls to revise social, health, and justice policies. However, there is little empirical information about this type of violence. The current study uses two unique data sets to examine a wide range of individual and situational characteristics of homicide-suicide, with particular emphasis on establishing whether and how homicide-suicide differs from homicide-only and suicide-only. Findings suggest homicide-suicide may have unique characteristics that set it apart from both homicide-only and suicide-only, as well as sharing certain other characteristics with those two types of events.

Circumstances Preceding Homicide-Suicides Involving Child Victims: A Qualitative Analysis

Homicide-suicide incidents involving child victims can have a detrimental impact on survivors of the violence, family members and friends of the decedents, and other community members, but the rare occurrence of these acts makes using quantitative data to examine their associated antecedents challenging. Therefore, using qualitative data from the 2003-2011 National Violent Death Reporting System, we examined 175 cases of homicide-suicide involving child victims in an effort to better understand the complex situational factors of these events. Our findings indicate that 98% of homicide-suicides with child victims are perpetrated by adults (mostly parents) and propelled by the perpetrators' intimate partner problems, mental health problems, and criminal/legal problems. These events are often premeditated, and plans for the violence are sometimes disclosed prior to its occurrence. Findings provide support for several theoretical perspectives, and implications for prevention are discussed.

Military Versus Civilian Murder-Suicide

Previous studies have implicated significant differences between military members and civilians with regard to violent behavior, including suicide, domestic violence, and harm to others, but none have examined military murder-suicide. This study sought to determine whether there were meaningful differences between military and civilian murder-suicide perpetrators. Using data from the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), military ( n = 259) and civilian ( n = 259) murder-suicide perpetrators were compared on a number of demographic, psychological, and contextual factors using chi-square analyses. Logistic regression was used to determine which variables predicted membership to the military or civilian perpetrator groups. Military murder-suicide perpetrators were more likely to be older, have physical health problems, be currently or formerly married, less likely to abuse substances, and to exhibit significantly different motives than civilian perpetrators. Logistic regression revealed that membership to the military, rather than the civilian, perpetrator group was predicted by age, physical health problems, and declining heath motive-reflecting the significance of a more than 15-year difference in mean age between the two groups. Findings point to the need to tailor suicide risk assessments to include questions specific to murder-suicide, to assess attitudes toward murder-suicide, and to the importance of assessing suicide and violence risk in older adult military populations.

Characteristics of Youth With Combined Histories of Violent Behavior, Suicidal Ideation or Behavior, and Gun-Carrying

BACKGROUND

Youth reporting combined histories of nonfatal violence, suicidal ideation/behavior, and gun-carrying (VSG) are at risk for perpetrating fatal interpersonal violence and self-harm.

AIMS

We characterized these youth to inform prevention efforts.

METHOD

We analyzed 2004 data from 3,931 seventh-, ninth-, and 11-12th-grade youth and compared VSG youth (n = 66) with non-gun carrying youth who either had no histories of violence or suicidal thoughts/behavior (n = 1,839), histories of violence (n = 884), histories of suicidal thoughts/behaviors (n = 552), or both (n = 590). We compared groups based on demographic factors, risk factors (i.e., friends who engage in delinquency, peer-violence victimization, depressive symptoms, illicit substance use), and protective factors (i.e., school connectedness, parental care and supervision). Regression models identified factors associated with VSG youth.

RESULTS

Illicit substance use and having friends who engage in delinquency were more common among VSG youth in all comparisons; almost all VSG youth had high levels of these factors. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with VSG youth versus youth without either violent or suicide-related histories and youth with violent histories alone. School connectedness and parental supervision were negatively associated with VSG youth in most comparisons.

CONCLUSION

Family-focused and school-based interventions that increase connectedness while reducing delinquency and substance use might prevent these violent tendencies.