Shared decision-making tool to improve firearm storage in families with children
Official title: Randomized trial of a shared decision-making intervention for families about firearm storage
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11408777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly trial tests a web-based tool that helps families decide together how to store firearms safely when children are in the home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $753,820 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD116794-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Families with children in the home (across ages 0-11 and adolescence) where firearms are present, including Spanish-speaking and diverse linguistic groups.
✕Less likely to help
Families without firearms in the home or without interest in using an online decision-support tool may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on a quick-start, family-centered web tool called the Family Safety Check-In to support couples and other guardians in making shared decisions about firearm storage. It aims to adapt the tool for Spanish-speaking families and measure whether it improves safe storage practices in homes with children. The study follows a randomized design to compare outcomes in families using the tool versus standard guidance, with emphasis on real-world safety behaviors and family engagement. It is led by Seattle Children’s Hospital and involves adult and parenting participants from diverse backgrounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families may store firearms more safely, reducing child exposure to lethal risks at home.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary pilot data suggested the approach helps engage all adult caregivers in storage decisions; this next phase tests broader implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kroshus-Havril, Emily Grace — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kroshus-Havril, Emily Grace
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.