Childhood victimization and young adult firearm violence and self-harm ideation

The consequences of childhood adversity impact broader society. Understanding the linkage between patterns of childhood victimization, specifically, and risks associated with young adult firearm violence is critical to public discourse regarding relative investments in child safety.

In a nationally representative sample of U.S. young adults (n = 4121), we conducted latent class analyses to model patterns of childhood victimization. We then estimated how the latent classes of childhood victimization patterns are related to adulthood firearm violence perpetration (inclusive of threats and use of a firearm against others) and firearm self-harm ideation.

Four distinct classes of childhood victimization were identified: Polyvictimization (8.6 %), Physical Abuse (13.7 %), Psychological Abuse (25.7 %), and Low Victimization (52.0 %). Polyvictimization in childhood was associated with 3-67 times the risk of young adult firearm violence perpetration and firearm self-harm ideation. Childhood psychological abuse was associated with considerably higher risk of young adult firearm self-harm ideation.

Victimization experienced during childhood creates risk for adults perpetrating firearm violence against themselves or others. Addressing childhood victimization may reduce the risk of self-harm and threats to family, peers, or strangers in U.S. society.