College counselors' perceptions and practices regarding anticipatory guidance on firearms.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed college counselors' anticipatory guidance on firearms for student clients.


METHODS
The membership of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors was used to identify a national random sample of counseling centers (n = 361). One counselor from each center was selected to survey.


METHODS
In the winter of 2008, a 3-wave mailing procedure was used to maximize the response rate. Completed surveys served as consent (as approved by the University Human Subjects Committee).


RESULTS
A total of 213 counselors (59%) responded. They were unlikely to provide anticipatory guidance (6%), chart/keep records on client ownership/access to firearms (17%), or to counsel the majority of clients from various diagnostic categories on firearms.


CONCLUSIONS
University personnel are likely to refer students with suspected mental health problems to university counseling centers. The findings indicate that few counseling centers will address firearm issues with students.
Price
James
J
The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA. jprice@utnet.utoledo.edu
Mrdjenovich
Adam J
AJ
Thompson
Amy
A
Dake
Joseph A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D006708:Homicide / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control; D000092864:Suicide Prevention