Table 4 Characteristics that distinguish each firearm decision-making relational type between woman Veterans and their partners
Relational type | Factors/dynamics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Woman Veteran’s desired degree of involvement | Woman Veteran’s voice or agency in firearm decisions | Partner receptivity to the mental health and trauma history of the women Veteran | Impact of presence of children or grandchildren | Partner willingness to change firearm storage or use | Woman Veteran’s desire to include partner in firearm LMSC | |
Collaborative | Active, engaged, motivated | Agentic, optimistic, confident | Responsive, attuned, respectful | Positive, motivates change | High | High, if not already being done |
Devalued | Overruled, disregarded, minimized | Denied, ignored, gaslit | Indifferent, contributing, disrespectful | Dismissive, underplays seriousness | Low, unwilling, contemptuous | Low, especially in context of IPV |
Deferential | Passive, civil, indifferent, due to high level of trust in partner | Assured, hopeful, confident | Understanding, open, compassionate | Hypothetical, would motivate action | Hypothesized as high, trust in partner to do so | High, albeit hypothetical |