1. A scoping review of empirical research on firearms and firearm violence among sexual and gender minority populations in the United States.
- Author
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Correll-King WM, Crifasi C, and Gamarel KE
- Subjects
- Humans, United States epidemiology, Empirical Research, Male, Suicide statistics & numerical data, Violence prevention & control, Violence statistics & numerical data, Sexual and Gender Minorities statistics & numerical data, Firearms statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Background: Firearms-related health sciences research has documented disparities in fatal and nonfatal firearm injury impacting populations in the United States defined by race and ethnicity, age, gender, and geography. Recent reports from research and advocacy organizations have highlighted a need for this research to include sexual and gender minority (ie, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ+]) populations to guide public health efforts to prevent homicide, suicide, and injury., Purpose: The current review examines and summarizes existing research related to firearms and LGBTQ+ populations in the United States., Methods: A search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, LGBT Life, and Scopus was conducted in May 2024 using search strings related to LGBTQ+ populations, firearms, and suicide. Articles were included in this review if they were peer-reviewed, empirical studies assessing any construct related to firearms among LGBTQ+ people in the United States., Results: Ultimately, 35 studies were included. Constructs examined in included studies were suicide (n = 6), homicide (n = 4), responses to the Pulse nightclub shooting (n = 9), nonfatal interpersonal violence (n = 4), and firearm access and ownership (n = 12)., Conclusions: Findings identified substantial gaps in the literature, underscoring an urgent need for LGBTQ+ health researchers and firearm injury prevention researchers to collaboratively extend and improve the evidence base on firearms among LGBTQ+ populations. Key recommendations include improving Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity data collection in firearms research, collecting original data to address LGBTQ+-specific and LGBTQ+-inclusive research questions regarding firearms, broadening the scope of firearms constructs assessed among LGTBQ+ populations, and using intersectionality to guide future research., (© Society of Behavioral Medicine 2025. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Published
- 2025
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