Children Who Witness the Homicide of a Parent

Eth, Spencer; Pynoos, Robert S.

doi:10.1080/00332747.1994.11024694

Cited by 93 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…A clinical study by Eth and Pynoos (1994) revealed that children who were both traumatized and bereaved by witnessing their parents violently murdered hadacute posttraumatic stress reactions, which interfered with their ability to successfully grieve. Additionally, these children-survivors tended to regress developmentally, leading to impaired school performance and an inability to trust others and to form meaningful attachments.…”

Section: Traumatic Grief From Vıolence and Mass Casualty Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bereavement by Traumatic Means: The Complex Synergy of Trauma and Grief

Neria

Litz

2004

Journal of Loss and Trauma

123

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When people lose intimates unexpectedly, in particular from malicious acts of violence, they are at risk for chronic grief reactions. The phenomenology, clinical symptoms, clinical needs, and risk factors associated with loss by traumatic means and the combined influences of loss and trauma exposure are yet to be systematically studied. We review the complex interplay between trauma and loss by traumatic means. The distinctions between normal and traumatic loss, and complicated and traumatic grief, are contrasted with the traditional conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder. The role of various mediators such as concurrent or life-span trauma exposure and interpersonal factors, particularly the degree of attachment to the individual or group traumatically lost, is discussed. We offer a more integrated and focused view of traumatic grief, its predictors, and future directions for the integrative study of trauma and loss outcomes.

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Section: Traumatic Grief From Vıolence and Mass Casualty Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bereavement by Traumatic Means: The Complex Synergy of Trauma and Grief

Neria

Litz

2004

Journal of Loss and Trauma

123

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“…In particular, strong grief reactions, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and developmental difficulties have been observed (Eth & Pynoos, 1994; Hardesty, Campbell, McFarlane, & Lewandowski, 2008; Harris-Hendriks, Black, & Kaplan, 2000), in line with reactions to other major traumatic loss reported in the broader literature (e.g. Boelen & Smid, 2017; Christ, Siegel, & Christ, 2002; Lenferink, de Keijser, Smid, Djelantik, & Boelen, 2017; Miller, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Children’s perspectives on life and well-being after parental intimate partner homicide

Alisic

Groot

Snetselaar

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: While there is no doubt that parental intimate partner homicide is associated with strong grief and post-traumatic stress reactions among the children who have been bereaved, there is little in-depth insight into how children and young people see and describe their circumstances and needs. Objective: Our aim was to shed light on children’s and young people’s perspectives on their life after parental intimate partner homicide. In particular, we were interested in how they experienced their living arrangements, social environment, and general well-being. Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 children and young people (8–24 years old; 15 females and eight males) who had been younger than 18 years when one of their parents killed the other (21 children lost their mother, two children lost their father). We used thematic analysis to synthesize the findings. Results: While most participants were fairly content with themselves and their living arrangements, they also expressed substantial and persistent difficulties, including distress, conflicts between family members, and feelings of unsafety. Most importantly, children’s self-image, their perspectives on their biological parents, and their views on their broader (family) environment varied considerably from participant to participant, and also between siblings. Conclusions: It is unlikely that straightforward guidelines can be given with regard to where the children should live after parental homicide, or whether they should be in contact with the perpetrating parent. Rather, this study’s findings underline the need to explore children’s individual viewpoints carefully during decision-making processes.

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“…These fantasies are usually accompanied with feelings of guilt, powerlessness, self-blame, anger and depression. It can often be difficult for these children to develop secure attachments and form new positive relationships (26). Often children exposed to domestic homicide do not receive the support required to help them cope with their experienced trauma.…”

Section: Domestic Homicide and Child Victimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health care professionals' role in preventing child homicides in the context of domestic violence

Jaffe¹

2013

Paediatr Today

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This review article highlights the risks that children may face in the context of domestic violence (DV). Although there are significant risks for psychological harm for children exposed to DV, in extreme cases, children may be exposed to a domestic homicide or become homicide victims themselves. Often these tragedies appear predictable and preventable with the presence of several risk factors. Risk assessment tools currently being used to identify the level of risk to an adult victim of DV also indicate a potential risk to a child. Health care professionals need to be aware of the risk for lethality with children exposed to DV and to raise these issues with patients in consideration of the risk to children. Prevention of these tragedies requires enhanced training on domestic violence and the risk for lethality with victims and children. Standardized protocols for interventions and risk management that include safety plans for children are needed. Conclusion -Reviews of domestic homicides suggest that children may be at significant risk of harm and health care professionals need to recognize that risks to adult partners in these circumstances also pose risks to children.

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Children Who Witness the Homicide of a Parent

Cited by 93 publications

References 41 publications

Bereavement by Traumatic Means: The Complex Synergy of Trauma and Grief

Bereavement by Traumatic Means: The Complex Synergy of Trauma and Grief

Children’s perspectives on life and well-being after parental intimate partner homicide

Health care professionals' role in preventing child homicides in the context of domestic violence

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