Lewis Catherine F, Bunce Scott C
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-2103, USA.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2003;31(4):459-70.
The objective of this study was to examine a sample (n = 55) of filicidal mothers to compare those with and without psychotic symptoms at the time of the filicide. Clinical data were gathered through retrospective chart review of filicidal women referred for criminal responsibility/competence to stand trial evaluations from 1974 to 1996 at Michigan's Center for Forensic Psychiatry. Most (52.7%) women had psychotic symptoms at the time of filicide. Women with psychosis were more likely than those without to have a history of substance abuse; to have past and ongoing psychiatric treatment; and to be older, unemployed, more educated, and divorced or separated. They were less likely to be first time mothers or to have had prior contact with Children's Protective Services. The psychotic mothers more often confessed, attempted suicide at the time of the filicide, used weapons, killed multiple children, and expressed homicidal thoughts and/or concerns about their children to psychiatrists and family before the filicide. Psychotic women were as likely as nonpsychotic women to have used alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of the filicide.
本研究的目的是对55名杀子母亲的样本进行调查，以比较杀子时伴有和不伴有精神病症状的母亲。通过对1974年至1996年在密歇根法医精神病学中心被转介进行刑事责任/受审能力评估的杀子女性进行回顾性病历审查，收集临床数据。大多数（52.7%）女性在杀子时伴有精神病症状。有精神病的女性比没有精神病的女性更有可能有药物滥用史；有过去和正在进行的精神科治疗史；年龄更大、失业、受教育程度更高且离婚或分居。她们不太可能是初为人母，也不太可能与儿童保护服务机构有过接触。有精神病的母亲更常供认罪行、在杀子时企图自杀、使用武器、杀害多名儿童，并且在杀子前向精神科医生和家人表达过杀人念头和/或对自己孩子的担忧。有精神病的女性在杀子时使用酒精或非法药物的可能性与没有精神病的女性相同。
