Child murder by mothers: patterns and prevention
Susan Hatters Friedman1, Phillip J Resnick
1Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Hanna Pavilion, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Summary
Maternal filicide, the murder of children by mothers, is a global tragedy. Research identifies common predictors across populations, highlighting the need for better risk identification and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Maternal filicide, the killing of a child by its mother, is a rare but devastating event with historical and global prevalence.
- Understanding the factors contributing to this phenomenon is crucial for public safety and mental health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research literature on maternal filicide.
- To identify common predictors of filicide in general, correctional, and psychiatric populations.
- To discuss legal aspects and propose prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies on maternal filicide.
- Analysis of predictors across diverse population samples.
- Examination of legal frameworks and existing prevention efforts.
Main Results:
- Identified common risk factors and predictors associated with maternal filicide across different populations.
- Highlighted gaps in current research regarding early identification of at-risk individuals.
- Provided a review of infanticide laws and their implications.
Conclusions:
- Further research is essential to enhance the identification of children and mothers at risk of filicide.
- Prevention strategies should be informed by a deeper understanding of predictors and legal considerations.
- Multidisciplinary approaches are needed to address this complex issue.
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