Examining Depression Among Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Homicide

Abstract

Male depression has been recognized as an important factor in some cases of intimate partner violence but there is a paucity of literature connecting depression and intimate partner homicide (IPH). This retrospective study provides a preliminary analysis that distinguished depressed from nondepressed perpetrators of IPH from a sample of 135 cases analyzed by a coroner’s homicide death review committee in Ontario, Canada. Depressed perpetrators were more likely to commit homicide-suicide and had almost 1.5 times the number of risk factors present than nondepressed perpetrators. Consistent with the existing literature, the results indicated that depressed perpetrators were significantly older, more likely to commit homicide-suicide than homicide only, more likely to have prior threats or attempts of suicide, more likely to have been abused or witnessed domestic violence as a child than nondepressed perpetrators and more likely to exhibit sexual jealousy. The implications for these findings are outlined in terms of training of mental health professionals and public awareness about the potential lethality of domestic violence.

Risk factors for intimate partner homicide in England and Wales

“…More general research into domestic abuse and IPH, primarily outside of the UK, has found links between perpetrators and depression (Cheng & Jaffe, 2019), previous violence within intimate relationships (Campbell et al., 2007), the use of threats of death (Cunha & Gonçalves, 2019), having direct access to a gun (Campbell et al., 2003; Spencer & Stith, 2020). Research has also found that victims of IPH have often recently left their abusive partner at their time of death (Brady & Hayes, 2018; Campbell et al., 2003).…”

“…Previous research has demonstrated that perpetrators of IPH are more likely to be of older age (Loinaz et al, 2017;Caman et al, 2017) have less persistent criminal histories, be less socially disadvantaged (Loinaz et al, 2017;Caman et al, 2017) and show higher levels of suicidal ideation (Caman et al, 2017;Cunha & Gonçalves, 2019) More general research into domestic abuse and IPH, primarily outside of the UK, has found links between perpetrators and depression (Cheng & Jaffe, 2019), previous violence within intimate relationships (Campbell et al, 2007), the use of threats of death (Cunha & Gonçalves, 2019), having direct access to a gun (Campbell et al, 2003;Spencer & Stith, 2020). Research has also found that victims of IPH have often recently left their abusive partner at their time of death (Brady & Hayes, 2018;Campbell et al, 2003).…”

Randomised pilot and feasibility trial of a group intervention for men who perpetrate intimate partner violence against women

“…Alternatively, female partners may have stayed in relationships because they believed that the intervention would be effective. Male intervention participants were more likely to be challenged in their beliefs, and increased realisation and responsibility for previous abuses may have caused considerable mental distress and feelings of shame, causing increased risk of depression, selfharm and suicide, or femicide-suicide (51,52). Researchers could miss serious abuse occurring for partners of control participants if they did not report information, as reporting and multiagency working increased the information known about partners of intervention participants.…”

Intimate Partner Homicide: Comparison Between Homicide and Homicide-Suicide in Portugal

“…Compare IPH and IPH-S appears to be challenging; however, some fundamental differences seem to emerge: IPH-S perpetrators appear to be less likely to have a previous criminal record or history of disregard and violations of the law ( Vatnar et al, 2019 ), using much less violent and more premeditated methods ( Jensen et al, 2009 ). Other studies concluded that IPH-S perpetrators have a higher prevalence of mental illness histories (e.g., depression; Cheng & Jaffe, 2019 ; Jensen et al, 2009 ; Zeppegno et al, 2019 ) and have used mental health services ( Campbell et al, 2007 ). Regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, IPH-S perpetrators seem to be mainly native-born citizens and more educated ( Vatnar et al, 2019 ).…”