Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T03:25:09.706Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Psychiatric Problems Following Bereavement by Murder or Manslaughter

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Colin Murray Parkes*
Affiliation:
The London Hospital Medical College, London E1 2AD

Abstract

Bereavement by murder or manslaughter is often associated with a high incidence of factors which increase the risk of lasting psychological problems after bereavement. In this study it appears that self-perpetuating vicious circles often accounted for the persistence of symptoms, which fitted the diagnostic categories of post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety states, panic syndromes, obsessive revenge-seeking, and depression. Therapeutic approaches should be aimed at interrupting these vicious circles and fostering the work of grieving.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association (1987) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edn, revised) (DSM–III–R). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
Amick-McMullan, A., Kilpatrick, D., Veronen, L., et al (1989) Family survivors of homicide victims: theoretical perspectives and an exploratory study. Traumatic Stress, 2, 1.Google Scholar
Black, D. & Kaplan, T. (1988) Father murdered mother: issues and problems encountered by a child psychiatric team. British Journal of Psychiatry, 153, 624630.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burgess, A. (1975) Family reactions to homicide. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 45, 391398.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Klass, D. (1988) Parental Grief; Solace and Resolution, New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Klass, R. & Peach, M. R. (1987) Special issues in the grief of parents of murdered children. Death Studies, 11, 8188.Google Scholar
Parkes, C. M. (1990) Risk factors in bereavement: implications for the prevention and treatment of pathological grief. Psychiatric Annals, 20, 308313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pynoos, R. S. & Eth, S. (1984) The child as witness to homicide. Journal of Social Issues, 40, 87108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pynoos, R. S. & Eth, S. (1985) Children traumatised by witnessing acts of personal violence: homicide, rape, or suicidal behaviour. In Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children (eds Pynoos, R. S. & Eth, S.). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
Redmond, L. M. (1989) Surviving; When Someone you know was Murdered. Psychological Consultations and Educational Services Ltd. Florida: Clearwater.Google Scholar
Rynearson, E. K. (1984) Bereavement after homicide: a descriptive study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141, 14521454.Google ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.