Familicide‐suicide following separation is under‐researched and remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Findings from previous research are inconclusive in relation to both risk factors and perpetrator motivation. This article explores the relevance of long‐term biopsychosocial antecedents in cases of familicide‐suicide that occurred in Western Australia between 1986 and 2005. A conceptualisation of the hypothesised risk factors in familicide‐suicide is proposed based on attachment theory, personality dysfunction, the neurobiology of trauma and the possible unconscious motivation of perpetrators, which may prove helpful in assessing the risk of familicide‐suicide in family court cases. The research identified and articulated a number of warning signs to familicide‐suicide that are often not identified, or appreciated, by decision makers. Suggestions are offered for changes to practice that may be helpful in identifying and responding to high‐risk cases in a way that enhances safety. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner MessagesClinicians need to be aware of the dynamic psychosocial risk factors associated with violent acting out such as: The combination of Cluster B personality diagnoses. A history of domestic violence. Early childhood trauma requires good interagency communication and cooperation.
Familicide‐suicide following separation is an underresearched and poorly understood offense. Findings from previous research are inconclusive about risk factors and perpetrator motivation. This article explores common myths about the offense in relation to some of the findings from two studies of familicide‐suicide following separation undertaken in Western Australia. A new conceptualization of the offense is proposed based on attachment theory, the neurobiology of trauma, and the possible subconscious motivation of perpetrators, which may be helpful in assessing risk of familicide‐suicide in family court cases. Keypoints There are warning signs to familicide‐suicide following separation. Warning signs are often not recognised or not adequately communicated to decision makers. Risk factors are dynamic and therefore not always able to be assessed in tests that measure static personality characteristics. Assessment needs to involve input from family members and collaboration with other agencies. Judicial decision making should be informed by comprehensive psychological profiles including childhood abuse history, adult attachment assessments, level of narcissism, degree of symbiosis in the relationship and history of domestic violence, including threats to kill and/or suicide.
Until now, SPC had represented a poorly understood and remains a questionable clinical practice intervention. Education initiatives are required that alert mental health practitioners to the dangers of SPC for patients and practitioners alike, and to present alternative interventions containing less risk.
Aim To describe neurodevelopmental outcomes among a cohort of Western Australian infants exposed to maternal methamphetamine use during pregnancy and to determine whether the Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a reliable screening tool for this population. Methods Methamphetamine‐using women were approached for participation when referred to the state‐wide perinatal specialist drug and alcohol service for pregnancy care. Drug use during pregnancy was self‐reported in each trimester using a standardised questionnaire. Ages and Stages Questionnaires were completed by infant care givers at 4 and 12 months, and development was formally assessed at 12 months using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales. Griffiths results for term‐born infants in our cohort were compared to a Western Australian historical cohort of 443 healthy 1–2‐year‐olds. Results A total of 112 methamphetamine‐using pregnant women participated in the study, who gave birth to 110 live‐born infants. Ages and Stages Questionnaires were completed for 89 (81%) and 78 (71%) of the infants at 4 and 12 months, respectively. The Ages and Stages assessment identified 30 infants (33.7%) as having a potential developmental delay at 4 months and 29 infants (38.7%) as having a potential developmental delay at 12 months. Griffiths assessments were performed on 64 (58%) of the infants, with a mean general quotient of 92.7. This was significantly lower in term‐born babies compared to the historical cohort (who had a median general quotient of 113.0). There was a weak correlation between 12‐month Ages and Stages scores and Griffiths general quotients (r = 0.322) and no correlation between 4‐month Ages and Stages Questionnaire scores and later Griffiths results. Conclusions Infants born to women reporting methamphetamine use during pregnancy are at increased risk of developmental delay and may warrant enhanced developmental follow‐up. However, they are a challenging group to follow due to complex psychosocial factors. Ages and Stages Questionnaires at 4 and 12 months were not helpful in screening for infants who had a developmental delay at 12 months.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.