Predictors of firearm purchasing during the coronavirus pandemic in the United States: A cross-sectional study

Objectives To compare determinants of firearm purchasing related to the pandemic. Study Design Cross-sectional survey Methods 3853 online panel participants completed a survey between December 22, 2020 and January 2, 2021 to approximate a nationally representative sample of US adults (age 18+). Four firearm ownership groups were created Non-owners, a proxy for first-time COVID-19 owners, pre-pandemic owners with COVID-19 purchase, and pre-pandemic owners without COVID-19 purchase. Explanatory variables were in four domains: demographics, concern about the pandemic, actions taken in response to COVID-19, and emotional response to COVID-19. Multivariate analysis estimated the adjusted odds of the outcomes. Results Respondents were categorized as non-owners (n=2440), pandemic-related purchasers with no other firearms (n=257), pandemic-related purchasers with other firearms (n=350), and those who did not purchase in response to the pandemic but have other firearms (n=806). Multivariable logistic regression found that compared to non-owners, those who had firearms at home with no pandemic-related purchases are more likely to be male, live in rural settings, have higher income, and be Republican. Conclusions The results highlight the changing profile of American firearm owners and identify that those who purchased firearms for the first time (in response to the pandemic) should be the focus of tailored public health interventions, including provision of education about recommended firearm storage to reduce firearm violence, particularly because they are more likely to have children at home, and belong to demographic groups that may have less experience with firearm safety.

Societal Participation of People With Traumatic Brain Injury Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A NIDILRR Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on societal participation in people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective cohort. SETTING: National TBI Model Systems centers, United States. PARTICIPANTS: TBI Model Systems enrollees (N=7003), ages 16 and older and 1-30 years postinjury, interviewed either prepandemic (PP) or during the pandemic (DP). The sample was primarily male (72.4%) and White (69.5%), with motor vehicle collisions as the most common cause of injury (55.1%). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The 3 subscales of the Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective: Out and About (community involvement), Productivity, and Social Relations. RESULTS: Out and About, but not Productivity or Social Relations, scores were appreciably lower among DP participants compared to PP participants (medium effect). Demographic and clinical characteristics showed similar patterns of association with participation domains across PP and DP. When their unique contributions were examined in regression models, age, self-identified race, education level, employment status, marital status, income level, disability severity, and life satisfaction were variably predictive of participation domains, though most effects were small or medium in size. Depression and anxiety symptom severities each showed small zero-order correlations with participation domains across PP and DP but had negligible effects in regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with the effect of COVID-19 on participation levels in the general population, people with TBI reported less community involvement during the pandemic, potentially compounding existing postinjury challenges to societal integration. The pandemic does not appear to have altered patterns of association between demographic/clinical characteristics and participation. Assessing and addressing barriers to community involvement should be a priority for TBI treatment providers. Longitudinal studies of TBI that consider pandemic-related effects on participation and other societally linked outcomes will help to elucidate the potential longer-term effect the pandemic has on behavioral health in this population.

Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality in Individuals With Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence, severity, and correlates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) assessed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using data collected through the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) network at 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years post TBI. SETTING: United States-based TBIMS rehabilitation centers with telephone assessment of community residing participants. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (72.4% male; mean age, 47.2 years) who enrolled in the TBIMS National Database and completed mental health questionnaires prepandemic (January 1, 2017 to February 29, 2020; n=5000) or during pandemic (April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2021; n=2009) (N=7009). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire. RESULTS: Separate linear and logistic regressions were constructed with demographic, psychosocial, injury-related, and functional characteristics, along with a binary indicator of COVID-19 pandemic period (prepandemic vs during pandemic), as predictors of mental health outcomes. No meaningful differences in depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation were observed before vs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Correlations between predictors and mental health outcomes were similar before and during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our predictions, the prevalence, severity, and correlates of mental health conditions were similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results may reflect generalized resilience and are consistent with the most recent findings from the general population that indicate only small, transient increases in psychological distress associated with the pandemic. While unworsened, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation remain prevalent and merit focused treatment and research efforts.

Impact of COVID-19 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy' Orders on Function among Older Adults Participating in a Community-Based, Behavioral Intervention Study.

Background: Early mitigation orders for COVID-19 halted participation in community-based programs. We examined the early impact of "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" orders on functioning in older adults participating in a behavioral intervention study involving community-based exercise. Methods: A quasi-natural experiment, using mixed methods (n = 39). Participants completed interviews and questionnaires after 3-4 weeks of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy directive. PROMIS-29 outcomes were compared to pre-COVID-19 responses. Results: Participants had a mean age of 74.1 (6.5) years, 79.5% were women, and 20.5% were racial/ethnic minorities. Compared to pre-COVID-19, there was a significant increase in anxiety and decrease in fatigue and social participation. Thematic analysis revealed five main themes related to disruption of daily life, the emotional and physical impact of stay-at-home orders, unexpected positive outcomes, and perspectives on messaging surrounding the pandemic. Conclusions: Efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 have substantially impacted the lives of older adults participating in community-based exercise.