CSDE Research Scientist Leibbrand and CSDE Affiliate Rowhani-Rahbar Co-author Study on Gun Violence and Depression
Posted: 2/1/2021 (CSDE Research)
CSDE Research Scientist and Training Director Christine Leibbrand, along with co-authors Ali Rowhani-Rahbar and Frederick Rivara, recently published an article in Prevention Science. Employing lagged outcome and fixed effect models, they examine the association between exposure to gun violence in mothers’ neighborhoods and their experiences of depression. Using longitudinal Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data, their study finds that mothers who witness at least one shooting in their neighborhoods or local communities exhibit more symptoms of depression and are 32–60% more likely to meet criteria for depression than mothers who do not witness a shooting. The findings have important implications for mothers’ wellbeing and their kin. Further, the authors observe substantial racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure to gun violence, suggesting that gun violence may heighten health disparities and drawing attention to the importance of providing mental health resources in communities that are most affected by gun violence. Partial funding for this work came from a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development research infrastructure grant (P2C HD042828), to the Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology at the University of Washington. This research was also supported by a grant from the Washington State legislature to support FIPRP at HIPRC. To read the article click here.