The Lived Experience: A qualitative study of mentally ill women who commit filicide

Abstract

Filicide is defined as the deliberate act by a parent of killing his/her own child and a major contributor to child homicide rates. In order to prevent future homicides of this nature and protect future victims, and contribute to the rehabilitation of those mentally ill women who perpetrated such crimes, it is important to gain a better understanding of the dynamics that may result in filicide, as well as the impact of the mental illness itself. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of women who committed filicide regarding their offences and about their treatment and rehabilitation. METHODS: This was a qualitative study, involving semi-structured interviews conducted with 7 participants between July 2016 and April 2017. Key areas were identified during the interview process, such as: “Experience of being a State Patient”, “State of mind on the day of the offence”, “Emotions after the event”, “Memories and coping with memories on the day of the offence”, “The process of being admitted as a State Patient”, “The inpatient rehabilitation process”, and “Support received by staff, family and the community”. RESULTS: It was found that through the experience of being a State Patient there was a realization that treatment was required and some interventions, such as the rehabilitation strategies in place, were perceived as helpful. Most filicidal mothers noted psychosis at the time of the offence, and experienced trauma and regret for their offences and admission as State Patients. Support from the community as well as empathy and unconditional positive regard from the staff, notably psychology and occupational therapy, were reported as being important to the participants’ recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Filicide is rare and not adequately studied, particularly from the perpetrators’ point of view. Rehabilitation within a non-judgmental and empathetic environment is a necessity. These findings may serve to improve the outcome for psychiatrically ill women who commit filicide.