Degree
Master of Arts
Program
Education
Supervisor
Dr. Peter Jaffe
Abstract
Background: Depression among perpetrators of domestic homicide and domestic homicide-suicide is present in upwards of 75% of cases. Between 2003 and 2011, the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) classified 56% of perpetrators with depression in all the cases in Ontario. Methods: Secondary data analysis of 133 cases taken from the DVDRC database was conducted to determine whether differences exist between depressed and non-depressed perpetrators. Results: Cases with depressed perpetrators had significantly more risk factors present than in cases with non-depressed perpetrators. Depressed perpetrators and perpetrators who committed homicide-suicide were significantly older than non-depressed perpetrators and perpetrators of homicide. Key characteristics of depressed perpetrators include threats and attempts of suicide, perpetrator witnessed violence as a child, prior history of hostage-taking and obsessive behaviour. Conclusions: This information is essential to educate mental health professionals because they are more likely to have an opportunity to intervene in light of the presenting depression.
Recommended Citation
Cheng, Polly, "Depression among Perpetrators of Domestic Homicide" (2015). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 2766.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2766