Infanticide and its relationship with postpartum psychosis: a critical interpretive synthesis

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to synthesise the available literature on the phenomenon of infanticide within the context of postpartum psychosis from a novel perspective using critical interpretive synthesis (CIS). The study placed its focus on the environmental aspects involved in the phenomenon of postpartum psychosis where the outcome was infanticide, as well as the chosen method of inflicting death. Design/methodology/approach CIS is a reviewing method that synthesises existing literature into a coherent frame with the exploration of literature at its core. CIS results in a natural critique of the body of literature and was critical to the study and its findings. The study ultimately found five synthetic constructs related to environmental aspects and method of inflicting death. Findings These included prior psychiatric history and care, demographics of perpetrators, perceptions on motherhood, profile on victims such as age and the method of death and, finally, the presence of “warning behaviour”. Reflections on the current state of the literature formed an important part of the study and enabled the authors to make recommendations for future research. Research limitations/implications The age of the literature acts as a limitation to the study, there is a need for updated to research to inform our current historical context. In addition, most of the included studies was based in developed countries which may impact on generalisability. The aim of he study was not to include an exhaustive body of literature, thus other relevant literature may have not been included. Some included studies did not solely focus on the concept of infanticide within the context of postpartum psychosis. Although efforts were made to ensure rigour, it is accepted that different researchers may come to different conclusion in inherently qualitative means of enquiry such as CIS. These included prior psychiatric history and care, demographics of perpetrators, perceptions on motherhood, profile on victims such as age and the method of death and, finally, the presence of “warning behaviour”. Reflections on the current state of the literature formed an important part of the study and enabled the authors to make recommendations for future research. Originality/value The study has not been published previously and all sources are credited. This study made a contribution by indicating important misconceptions about motherhood and the demography associated with infanticide in postpartum psychosis. It also highlighted the need for updated empirical research that may have implications for policy and practice

Content analysis of infanticide and neonaticide cases in the UK

“…Filicide is understudied (Friedman et al., 2005; Mugavin, 2008) and whilst limited detection highlights the importance for continued research; academics have also highlighted the need to analyse subcategories as a result of unique aspects, victim age being the most apparent (Krischer et al., 2007; Porter & Gavin, 2010). Existing research often failed to consider infanticide and neonaticide as individual crimes (Jansen ven Resenburg et al., 2020) meaning even less understanding on the two subcategories (Brookman & Nolan, 2006; Putkonen et al., 2007) including knowledge on if differentiating themes are prevalent.…”

“…The mother's current situation. Alongside analysis into the mother's current situation for risk factors such as substance abuse (Craig, 2004; Jansen ven Resenburg et al., 2020); relationships and social stressors can be a risk and motive alike for infanticide or neonaticide. A lack of social support (Putkonen et al., 2007; Smithey, 1997), social isolation due to a romantic relationship (Barnett, 2006) and family stress (Dobson & Sales, 2000) are linked to the crimes regarding a desire to end suffering.…”

“…Whilst some women conceal and deny their pregnancy as a result of fear or an unwanted child (Friedman et al., 2005; Mugavin, 2008; Putkonen et al., 2007); not all offenders commit infanticide or neonaticide to rid themselves of their only child. Some offenders have multiple children which they may have been separated from (Amon et al., 2012) or commit infanticide and filicide at the same time (Jansen ven Resenburg et al., 2020).…”

Immune System Alterations and Postpartum Mental Illness: Evidence From Basic and Clinical Research

“…PP, the most severe of postpartum mental illnesses, is accompanied by delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and detachment from reality ( 4 ). PP poses a serious safety risk to both mother and baby, with suicide and infanticide rates at 5 and 4%, respectively ( 22 , 23 ).…”

“…PP, the most severe of postpartum mental illnesses, is accompanied by delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and detachment from reality (4). PP poses a serious safety risk to both mother and baby, with suicide and infanticide rates at 5 and 4%, respectively (22,23). The etiology of postpartum psychiatric disorders is due, at least in part, to biological factors with most research to date focusing on hormonal and neuronal mechanisms (3,8,(24)(25)(26)(27).…”