A family systems analysis of child murderers

• Main Author: Pillay, Karolyn
• Other Authors: Nel, J.A.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Family systems; Post-modernism; Child murder; Qualitative research; Genograms; 364.15230968; Murder > South Africa; Murder > Investigation > South Africa; Families > South Africa; Children > Crimes against > South Africa; Homicide > South Africa > Psychological aspects; Behavioural assessment; System theory; System analysis; Family psychotherapy > South Africa; Behavioral assessment > South Africa; Genograms > South Africa
• Online Access: Pillay, Karolyn (2009) A family systems analysis of child murderers, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2709>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2709

For decades there has been growing interest into the crime of child murders. Emphasis was placed on victims and those at risk. Not much focus was placed on perpetrators and their families. Evidence suggests that the family and social systems play a vital role in determining adult violent behaviour. This qualitative study aims to explore the experiences of convicted child murderers in their family and social system. Data was collected and analysed, using genogram interviews and analysis. Themes were highlighted using hermeneutic thematic analysis, within a post-modern paradigm. Results were presented in the form of genogram analysis and thematic content analysis. Prominent themes that arose were separation, rejection, abuse, neglect and substance abuse. These life experiences together with poor education are some of the characteristics that may have contributed to the child murderers actions towards children. === Psychology === M. A. (Clinical Psychology)