Homicide-parasuicide: a qualitative comparison with homicide and parasuicide

摘要

Previous studies on homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator have mostly regarded this phenomenon as a variation of homicidal or as a variation of suicidal behaviour resulting from external or internal blame attribution. The aim of this study is to qualitatively assess to what extent homicide-suicide can be understood as a dichotomous phenomenon, using homicides followed by a failed suicide by the perpetrator (homicide-parasuicides). Particular attention is paid to both internal and external blame attribution. Three different homicide-parasuicide groups emerged from the data: one being primarily homicidal, one being primarily suicidal and one constituting a separate phenomenon. Blame attribution as well as interpersonal dependency on the victim differentiated homicide-parasuicides from other homicides and other parasuicides. The findings of this study suggest that homicide-parasuicide cannot easily be dichotomized into either a homicide or a suicide category. More insight into the concept of interpersonal dependency may aid the prevention of this phenomenon.