Shared journeys of firearm violence survivors… (F31NR022392) – Project Grant to University Of Illinois

Abstract: Firearm violence is a public health crisis that led to an average of 124 daily deaths and 329 daily non-fatal injuries in the united states in 2020. During this same period, non-fatal firearm injuries in chicago were nearly 4 times that of the national average. Firearm violence survivors experience significantly worse mental and physical health outcomes compared to the general population, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), chronic pain, and decreased quality of life. Despite evidence of improving outcomes of firearm survivors and reducing reinjury risks, hospital violence intervention programs (hvips) have low engagement. Distrust in practitioners, fear of stigma from using mental health services, and preferring support from family and friends have all been cited as reasons for not using this formal support. To fill this GAP, some support is obtained through informal caregivers-unpaid individuals without professional training-who are often family members or friends. This support comes at the expense of the informal caregiver through compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Despite the pervasiveness of firearm violence in the united states, literature describing the experiences the people who provide care for survivors is scarce. In addition to this, the literature available describing the dynamics of this critical relationship is nearly void. To this end, the purpose of the proposed study is to explore the recovery experiences, and the multi-level barriers and facilitators that shape the experiences of firearm violence survivors and their informal caregivers in chicago. Using qualitative narrative inquiry design informed by the principles of community based participatory research (cbpr), rich descriptions obtained from survivors (n=15) and their informal caregivers (n=15) will be obtained. Using interdependence theory, the survivor- informal caregiver relationship dynamics during recovery will be explored. The socio-ecological model will be used to frame findings and describe the interconnected levels that shape the recovery experiences of the survivor and caregiver. Findings from this study will inform more comprehensive and acceptable engagement in recovery services and strategies to improve long-term outcomes after firearm violence. Moreover, this research will advance relational and participatory approaches to firearm violence harm prevention research.

Shared journeys of firearm violence survivors and their caregivers

Award facts

Description

Quick answers

Who received award F31NR022392?

How much is award F31NR022392 worth?

See this award's full record