The Impact of Intrafamilial Homicide on the Family System

An Ecological Review of Homicide Bereavement’s Risk Factors: Implications for Future Research

“…Various studies have indicated that a homicide’s characteristics have an influence on HB. The following homicide-related factors have been reported as HB risk factors: close familial relations with the victim (Alisic, 2018; Alves-Costa, Hamilton-Giachritsis, & Halligan, 2021; Johnsen & Dyregrov, 2016; Kaplow et al, 2021; Matthews & Marwit, 2004; Moss & Raz, 2001; Ogata et al, 2011; Soydas et al, 2020); close domestic relations with both the victim and killer (Alisic, 2018; Alisic, Groot, Snetselaar, Stroeken, & van de Putte, 2017; Clements & Burgess, 2002; Hardesty et al, 2008; Kapardis et al, 2017; Kaplan et al, 2001; Stanley et al, 2019; Steeves & Parker, 2007); continuing bonds with victim (Moss & Raz, 2001); the killer being the bereaved person’s parent (Kapardis et al, 2017); interfamilial homicide (Jackson et al, 2021); the victim and bereaved person belonging to a racial minority (Douglas et al, 2021; Kaplow et al, 2021; Kassing et al, 2021; McDevitt-Murphy et al, 2012; Williams et al, 2012); being the parent of a child who was killed at a young age (Matthews & Marwit, 2004; Murphy, Johnson, Chung, et al, 2003; Murphy, Johnson, Wu, et al, 2003; Nzewi et al, 2002); the homicide scene being the bereaved person’s home (Alisic, Groot, Snetselaar, Stroeken, et al, 2017; Alisic, Groot, Snetselaar, Stroeken, & van de Putte, 2017); children hearing or witnessing the killing (Clements & Burgess, 2002); the homicide resulting in multiple victims (Huggins & Hinkson, 2022; Kaplow et al, 2021; Lenferink, de Keijser, et al, 2017); the homicide being related to terror circumstances (Dyregrov et al, 2016; Johnsen & Dyregrov, 2016; Pfeffer et al, 2007); the killer’s criminal process resulting in acquittal (Thiel, 2016); and the killing being an unresolved homicide, known as a cold case (…”

“…Based on the literature on female honor killings (Chesler, 2010; Dayan, 2021; Kressel, 1981), these homicides tend to be perpetrated by the victim’s agnatic family members, who often plan the killing ahead with the aid of several co-offenders. In these circumstances, female honor killings may have greater pathogenic effects on victim’s parents or siblings due to the following factors: close familial relations with the victim (Alisic, 2018; Alves-Costa, Hamilton-Giachritsis, & Halligan, 2021; Johnsen & Dyregrov, 2016; Kaplow et al, 2021; Matthews & Marwit, 2004; Moss & Raz, 2001); close domestic relations with both the victim and killer (Alisic, 2018; Alisic, Groot, Snetselaar, Stroeken, & van de Putte, 2017; Clements & Burgess, 2002; Hardesty et al, 2008); the killing being intrafamilial (Jackson et al, 2021; Steeves & Parker, 2007); the killing scene being in their home (Alisic, Groot, Snetselaar, Stroeken, et al, 2017; Alisic, Groot, Snetselaar, Stroeken, & van de Putte, 2017); and the social disapproval of grief (Johnsen & Dyregrov, 2016; Pavon & Basile, 2022), which in this case pertains to grief over a victim who allegedly tarnished the family’s honor. On the other hand, given that these killings tend to align with cultural expectations relating family honor (Chesler, 2010; Dayan, 2021; Hasan, 2002), community social support extended to these families may moderate the pathogenic effects of HB on these families.…”

“…Studies examining this social level all validated the importance of family support to an individual's ability to cope with HB and suffer less from its pathogenic effects (Bottomley et al, 2017;Boulware & Bui, 2016;Burke et al, 2011;Jackson et al, 2021). More studies seem to be needed to explore the link between family structure (like single-parent families) and an individual's ability to cope with HB.…”