NCJ Number
19309
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: (APRIL 1975) Pages: 391-398
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS PILOT STUDY IDENTIFIES A TWO-PHASED SYNDROME EXPERIENCED BY FAMILIES OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS.
Abstract
THE CRISIS PHASE CONSISTS OF AN ACUTE GRIEF PROCESS, INCLUDING IMMEDIATE REACTIONS TO THE HOMICIDE, THE FUNERAL DETAILS, AND POLICE INVESTIGATIONS. THE LONG-TERM REORGANIZATION PHASE INCLUDES THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES OF BEREAVEMENT AND THE SOCIO-LEGAL ISSUES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. THE DATA WERE COLLECTED IN TWO WAYS. THE MAJOR SOURCE CONSISTS OF SIX CASES FOLLOWED BY THE AUTHOR AND THREE CASES FOLLOWED BY NURSE-THERAPISTS SUPERVISED BY THE AUTHOR. SUPPORTING DATA TO CONFIRM THE FAMILY REACTION CATEGORIES WERE OBTAINED BY CAREFULLY REVIEWING SEVEN PUBLICLY REPORTED INTERVIEWS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS. THE OFFENDERS IN ALL CASES WERE NOT FAMILY-RELATED TO THE VICTIM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)