Study finds that mental illness is not to blame for gun violence

Contrary to many public opinion, a mental illness does not necessarily make a person more likely to commit acts of armed violence. According to a new study, access to firearms was a better indicator of gun violence.

A study by researchers from the medical branch of the University of Texas at Galveston examined the badociation between gun violence and mental health among a group of 663 young adults in Texas. Their results were published in the journal Preventive medecine.

"Contrary to popular belief, the majority of mental health symptoms examined were not related to gun violence," said Dr. Yu Lu, a postdoctoral researcher at UTMB and senior author of the report. study.

Rather, researchers found that people with access to a firearm were about 18 times more likely to have threatened someone with a firearm. Very hostile people were about 3.5 times more likely to threaten someone.

"These findings have important implications for political gun control efforts," Lu said.

Every year, approximately 75,000 to 100,000 Americans are injured by a firearm and 30,000 to 40,000 die from a firearm, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

"Much of the limited research on gun violence and mental illness has focused on violence in people with severe mental illness or rates of mental illness among those arrested for violent crimes," said Lu. that we have found is that the link between mental illness and gun violence does not exist. "

Lu and Dr. Jeff Temple, another study author and professor at the UTMB, interviewed participants in a long-term study on their possession and use of firearms, as well as that about anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, hostility, impulsivity, borderline personality disorder, mental health treatment and other demographic details.

The researchers found that those who had access to firearms, 18% over 18, were more likely to have threatened someone with a firearm, even after controlling a number of firearms. demographic and mental health variables. During this time, most mental health symptoms were not related to gun violence.

"Considering all of this information as a link, limiting access to firearms, regardless of their mental health status, demographics, or previous treatment, is the key to reducing gun violence," Temple said. .

Provided by
Medical branch of the University of Texas at Galveston