Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychological Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama USA
2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
3. New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center Piscataway New Jersey USA
4. Department of Urban‐Global Public Health Rutgers University New Brunswick New Jersey USA
Abstract
AbstractIntroductionSelf‐reliance, emotional control, and honor ideology may prevent help‐seeking when suicidal ideation emerges. Furthermore, these factors are associated with an increased likelihood of firearm ownership and unsecure storage, which could facilitate suicide attempts. The rurality of residence may impact these associations, as rural regions report increased independence, honor culture, and firearm prevalence. Therefore, this study examined how emotional control, self‐reliance, and honor ideology relate to firearm storage and help‐seeking for suicidal ideation, with rurality moderating these associations.MethodsParticipants were 733 adults (63.6% female, 33.5% male, and 2.9% transgender/other) who reported past‐month suicidal ideation. Analyses tested associations between emotional control, self‐reliance, and honor ideology with help‐seeking for suicidal ideation and firearm storage, with rurality moderating these associations.ResultsThe association of self‐reliance and decreased help‐seeking willingness for suicidal ideation was significant for those in non‐urban areas. The association of emotional control and decreased help‐seeking willingness for suicidal ideation was significant for those in urban areas. No variables predicted firearm storage.ConclusionsSelf‐reliance and emotional control could be barriers for help‐seeking regardless of gender identity that depend on rurality. Clinicians may target emotional control/self‐reliance via strengths‐based approaches with an emphasis on when these constructs could be maladaptive, as this could promote help‐seeking.