Development of a peer-delivered lethal means counseling intervention for firearm owning veterans: Peer engagement and exploration of responsibility and safety (PEERS).

Introduction: This study aimed to adapt and expand an evidence-based lethal means counseling intervention for peer-delivery among firearm owning Veterans. We further sought to assess Veteran interventionists' fidelity to motivational interviewing (MI) in the context of the adapted intervention.

Methods: An iterative expert panel comprised of experts in suicide prevention, lethal means counseling, MI, and Veteran peer engagement (N = 9) informed intervention adaptation. Experts rated the appropriateness of the adapted intervention, named Peer Engagement and Exploration of Responsibility and Safety (PEERS), and associated interventionist training plan across six criteria. Veteran interventionists (N = 3) were trained to deliver PEERS and their fidelity to MI in the context of PEERS was evaluated.

Results: Expert panelists' average rating was 7.6 (out of 9). Ratings across all criteria (e.g., quality of the training plan; perceived ability of interventionists to engage in the intervention) were high. Interventionists' composite MI fidelity scores suggested most were client-centered, but not MI-competent in their delivery.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that PEERS is an appropriate lethal means counseling intervention for firearm owning Veterans that can be somewhat feasibly delivered by Veteran interventionists. This intervention could help expand the reach and effectiveness of lethal means counseling.