Adolescent Worry About Experiencing Firearm Violence and Its Association With Mental Health

12/10/2026

AI Summary

Thirty-nine percent of California adolescents reported worrying about experiencing firearm violence.
Worry was more common among females, diverse gender identities, lower socioeconomic status, frequent social media users, perceived unsafe neighbourhoods, firearm access, and peers with firearms.
Worrying about firearm violence was associated with increased odds of past-month psychological distress (OR 1.6) and past-year suicide ideation (OR 1.7).

TL;DR (AI Generated)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between worrying about experiencing firearm violence, past-month psychological distress, and past-year suicide ideation among California adolescents.

In contrast, worrying about experiencing firearm violence was negatively correlated with having a firearm at home and ever using a firearm.

Basic summary

Pediatrics. 2026 Oct 12:e2025074683. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-074683. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between worrying about experiencing firearm violence, past-month psychological distress, and past-year suicide ideation among California adolescents.

METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of a representative California adolescent sample (n = 2154), using 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey data. The predictor is worrying about experiencing firearm violence, and outcomes are past-month psychological distress and past-year suicide ideation.

RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of California adolescents reported worrying about experiencing firearm violence, which was positively correlated with several characteristics: female, diverse gender identity, lower socioeconomic status, frequent social media use, perceiving unsafe neighborhood, having access to firearms, and knowing peers who have a firearm. In contrast, worrying about experiencing firearm violence was negatively correlated with having a firearm at home and ever using a firearm. Worrying about experiencing firearm violence was associated with 1.6 times greater odds of past-month psychological distress and 1.7 times greater odds of past-year suicide ideation.

CONCLUSIONS: Among California adolescents, worrying about experiencing firearm violence is relatively common and associated with a higher risk of psychological distress and suicide ideation.

PMID:42860264 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2025-074683

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