Exploring adverse parent-child relationships from the perspective of convicted child murderers: A South African qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: Child homicide is the most extreme form of violence against children. Within South Africa, children face the highest risk of homicide by parents/caregivers. It is suggested that prolonged exposure to adverse relationships with one's own parents may be linked to committing child homicide as it may lead to psychological damage and disturb neurological functioning. This paper explores the adverse parent-child relationships of 22 men and women incarcerated for the murder of either a biological child, a stepchild or a child in their care and draws on 49 in-depth interviews with these participants. We illustrate that traumatic parent-child experiences in the form of absent parents, neglect and abuse have a profound impact on establishing unhealthy attachment styles and emphasize the importance o

SUBMITTER: Dekel B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5965825 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature