ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Homicidal parents | JoVE Visualize

Home
Research Domains
Human Society

Homicidal parents

D Bourget¹, J M Bradford

¹University of Ottawa, Ontario.

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie|April 1, 1990

Related Experiment Videos

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Parental child murder is rare, often committed by mothers, and linked to psychiatric disorders and psychosocial stress. Understanding these factors is crucial for identifying at-risk families.

Area of Science:

Forensic Psychology
Child Psychology
Psychiatry

Background:

Parental child murder is a rare but serious crime.
Distinguished from infanticide, child murder by parents receives less attention than child abuse.
Previous studies suggest mothers are more frequently perpetrators.

Purpose of the Study:

To review a series of 13 cases of parental child murder.
To analyze demographic and clinical data of perpetrators.
To discuss diagnostic classifications and contributing factors.

Main Methods:

Retrospective review of 13 cases of child murder by parents.
Analysis of demographic and clinical data.
Diagnostic classification using DSM-III-R criteria.

Main Results:

Mothers were found to be perpetrators in a higher incidence, consistent with prior research.
Psychosocial stresses were identified as major contributing factors.
Suicidal history and behavior, along with affective disorders, were significant considerations.

Conclusions:

Parental child murder is associated with significant psychosocial stressors and psychiatric conditions, particularly affective disorders.
Maternal perpetration is a consistent finding.
Improved understanding is needed to aid interventions for at-risk families.

Related Experiment Videos

Related Concept Videos

Homicidal Parents