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1969•American Journal of PsychiatryRequires access

Child Murder by Parents: A Psychiatric Review of Filicide

Phillip J. Resnick

Open publisher page 624 citations

Abstract

The author reviews 131 cases of child murder and proposes a new classification of filicide by apparent motive: altruistic, acutely psychotic, unwanted child, accidental, and spouse revenge. The high frequency of altruistic motives distinguishes filicide from other homicides. The psychodynamics of the filicidal impulse are explored: displacement of the murderer's original aggression from his parents, spouse, or sibling is documented. The author offers some considerations for prevention.

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What this paper is about

The author reviews 131 cases of child murder and proposes a new classification of filicide by apparent motive: altruistic, acutely psychotic, unwanted child, accidental, and spouse revenge. The high frequency of altruistic motives distinguishes filicide from other homicides. The psychodynamics of the filicidal impulse are explored: displacement of the murderer's original aggression from his parents, spouse, or sibling is documented. The author offers some considerations for prevention.

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OpenAlex reports 624 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

The author reviews 131 cases of child murder and proposes a new classification of filicide by apparent motive: altruistic, acutely psychotic, unwanted child, accidental, and spouse revenge. The high frequency of altruistic motives distinguishes filicide from other homicides. The psychodynamics of the filicidal impulse are explored: displacement of the murderer's original aggression from his parents, spouse, or sibling is documented. The author offers some considerations for prevention.

Key concepts: Spouse, Homicide, Psychodynamics, Psychology, Poison control, Aggression, Suicide prevention, Injury prevention

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