Objective:
This study explored how Black men who suffer from disabilities via a firearm negotiated their masculine identities. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 violently injured Black men participating in a hospital-based violence intervention program. Survivors expressed their thoughts on how their injuries impacted their manhood and masculinities.
Method:
A qualitative descriptive approach was used to conduct a pilot study to explore how Black male firearm violence survivors understand and cope with their physical disabilities. Qualitative interviewing facilitated the use of open-ended questions that “build upon and explore” participant responses, enabling the participant to “reconstruct his or her experience” (Seidman, 2013). The inclusion criteria for the study were as follows: (1) African American/Black males, (2) over the age of 18, (3) speak English, (4) treated for firearm-related injuries at the local Level I trauma center, (5) live in the city in which the trauma center was located, (6) have participated in the hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) over 3 months, (7) have access to an iPhone or Android for communication, and (8) agree to be audio-recorded during the telephone interview. The study was approved by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, and a certificate of confidentiality was obtained from the National Institutes of Health.
Project Status:
Completed
Principal Investigators:
Nazsa S. Baker, Cortney VanHook, Tiffany Ricks, Christopher St. Vil, Teri Lassiter, and Stephanie Bonne.