Rebeccah L Sokol1, Bryan G Victor2, Emily K Piellusch3, Sophia B Nielsen3, Joseph P Ryan3, Brian E Perron3. 1. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. Electronic address: rlsokol@umich.edu. 2. School of Social Work, Indiana University, 902 West New York Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. 3. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the significance of firearm safety, we need additional data to understand the prevalence and context surrounding firearm-related problems within the child welfare system. OBJECTIVE: Estimate proportion of cases reporting a firearm-related problem during case initiation and the contexts in which these problems exist. SAMPLE AND SETTING: 75,809 caseworker-written investigation summaries that represented all substantiated referrals of maltreatment in Michigan from 2015 to 2017. METHODS: We developed an expert dictionary of firearm-related terms to search investigation summaries. We retrieved summaries that contained any of the terms to confirm whether a firearm was present (construct accurate) and whether it posed a threat to the child. Finally, we coded summaries that contained firearm-related problems to identify contexts in which problems exist. RESULTS: Of the 75,809 substantiated cases, the dictionary flagged 2397 cases that used a firearm term (3.2 %), with a construct accuracy rate of 96 %. Among construct accurate cases, 79 % contained a firearm-related problem. The most common intent for a firearm-related problem was violence against a person (45 %). The co-occurrence of domestic violence and/or substance use with a firearm-related problem was high (41 % and 48 %, respectively). 49 % of summaries that contained a firearm-related problem did not provide information regarding storage. CONCLUSION: When caseworkers document a firearm within investigative summaries, a firearm-related risk to the child likely exists. Improved documentation of firearms and storage practices among investigated families may better identify families needing firearm-related services.
BACKGROUND: Despite the significance of firearm safety, we need additional data to understand the prevalence and context surrounding firearm-related problems within the child welfare system. OBJECTIVE: Estimate proportion of cases reporting a firearm-related problem during case initiation and the contexts in which these problems exist. SAMPLE AND SETTING: 75,809 caseworker-written investigation summaries that represented all substantiated referrals of maltreatment in Michigan from 2015 to 2017. METHODS: We developed an expert dictionary of firearm-related terms to search investigation summaries. We retrieved summaries that contained any of the terms to confirm whether a firearm was present (construct accurate) and whether it posed a threat to the child. Finally, we coded summaries that contained firearm-related problems to identify contexts in which problems exist. RESULTS: Of the 75,809 substantiated cases, the dictionary flagged 2397 cases that used a firearm term (3.2 %), with a construct accuracy rate of 96 %. Among construct accurate cases, 79 % contained a firearm-related problem. The most common intent for a firearm-related problem was violence against a person (45 %). The co-occurrence of domestic violence and/or substance use with a firearm-related problem was high (41 % and 48 %, respectively). 49 % of summaries that contained a firearm-related problem did not provide information regarding storage. CONCLUSION: When caseworkers document a firearm within investigative summaries, a firearm-related risk to the child likely exists. Improved documentation of firearms and storage practices among investigated families may better identify families needing firearm-related services.
Authors: Katherine A Fowler; Linda L Dahlberg; Tadesse Haileyesus; Carmen Gutierrez; Sarah Bacon Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2017-06-19 Impact factor: 9.703