Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Filicide is the tragic crime of murdering one's own child. Previous research has found that the offending parents are commonly depressed and that suicide is often associated as an actual act or an intention. Yet, filicide is an...

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Main Authors: Klier Claudia, Eronen Markku, Cederwall Jenny, Almiron Maria P, Amon Sabine, Putkonen Hanna, Kjelsberg Ellen, Weizmann-Henelius Ghitta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-11-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/9/74
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author Klier Claudia
Eronen Markku
Cederwall Jenny
Almiron Maria P
Amon Sabine
Putkonen Hanna
Kjelsberg Ellen
Weizmann-Henelius Ghitta
author_facet Klier Claudia
Eronen Markku
Cederwall Jenny
Almiron Maria P
Amon Sabine
Putkonen Hanna
Kjelsberg Ellen
Weizmann-Henelius Ghitta
author_sort Klier Claudia
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Filicide is the tragic crime of murdering one's own child. Previous research has found that the offending parents are commonly depressed and that suicide is often associated as an actual act or an intention. Yet, filicide is an underreported crime and previous studies have been strained with methodological problems. No comprehensive international studies on filicide have been presented in the literature until now.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a descriptive, comprehensive, register-based study of all filicides in Austria and Finland during 1995-2005. Filicide-suicide cases were also included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most of the perpetrators were the biological mothers; in Austria 72%, in Finland 52%. Suicide followed filicide either as an attempt or a fulfilled act in 32% and 54% of the cases in Austria and Finland, respectively. Psychotic mood disorders were diagnosed for 10% of the living perpetrators in Austria, and 12% in Finland. Non-psychotic depression was diagnosed in 9% of surviving perpetrators in Austria, 35% in Finland.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data from the two countries demonstrated that filicide is such a multifaceted and rare phenomenon that national data from individual countries seldom offer sufficient scope for its thorough study. Further analyses are needed to produce a complete picture of filicide.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-de4324a9295646679721e2cb632eba802022-12-22T01:40:51ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2009-11-01917410.1186/1471-244X-9-74Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005Klier ClaudiaEronen MarkkuCederwall JennyAlmiron Maria PAmon SabinePutkonen HannaKjelsberg EllenWeizmann-Henelius Ghitta<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Filicide is the tragic crime of murdering one's own child. Previous research has found that the offending parents are commonly depressed and that suicide is often associated as an actual act or an intention. Yet, filicide is an underreported crime and previous studies have been strained with methodological problems. No comprehensive international studies on filicide have been presented in the literature until now.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a descriptive, comprehensive, register-based study of all filicides in Austria and Finland during 1995-2005. Filicide-suicide cases were also included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most of the perpetrators were the biological mothers; in Austria 72%, in Finland 52%. Suicide followed filicide either as an attempt or a fulfilled act in 32% and 54% of the cases in Austria and Finland, respectively. Psychotic mood disorders were diagnosed for 10% of the living perpetrators in Austria, and 12% in Finland. Non-psychotic depression was diagnosed in 9% of surviving perpetrators in Austria, 35% in Finland.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data from the two countries demonstrated that filicide is such a multifaceted and rare phenomenon that national data from individual countries seldom offer sufficient scope for its thorough study. Further analyses are needed to produce a complete picture of filicide.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/9/74
spellingShingle Klier Claudia
Eronen Markku
Cederwall Jenny
Almiron Maria P
Amon Sabine
Putkonen Hanna
Kjelsberg Ellen
Weizmann-Henelius Ghitta
Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005
BMC Psychiatry
title Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005
title_full Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005
title_fullStr Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005
title_full_unstemmed Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005
title_short Filicide in Austria and Finland - A register-based study on all filicide cases in Austria and Finland 1995-2005
title_sort filicide in austria and finland a register based study on all filicide cases in austria and finland 1995 2005
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/9/74
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AT almironmariap filicideinaustriaandfinlandaregisterbasedstudyonallfilicidecasesinaustriaandfinland19952005
AT amonsabine filicideinaustriaandfinlandaregisterbasedstudyonallfilicidecasesinaustriaandfinland19952005
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