1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« Given that Weisman and Sharma’s (1997) sample was heterogeneous (adolescents and adults, NGRI and CR), the goal of our research was to compare a subgroup of parricide subjects with another of attempted-parricide subjects using a more homogeneous sample. » (p. 270)
Questions/Hypothèses :
« Based on the literature, we expected to find no major differences between the two subgroups on a series of demographic, historical, criminological, and psychiatric variables. » (pp. 270-271)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The sample comprised 39 adult subjects (36 men and 3 women) who were found not guilty by reason of insanity and hospitalized at the Philippe Pinel Institute in Montreal (Canada) between 1976 and 1999. » (p. 270)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« Our results show few differences between the two subgroups. Subjects in the attempted parricide subgroup are more likely to have made threats of harm before the offense, to have a family history of violence, and to have fewer suicidal thoughts after the offense. It is possible that prior threat of harm to the victim is related to the fact that the person survived (victim’s ability to defend him- or herself, intensity of the aggression, etc.). Further studies are needed to better understand the real meaning of these differences. For example, typological analyses could be conducted to determine whether the two subgroups represent a homogeneous whole. In addition, it would be interesting to compare parricide subjects with subjects who murdered other family members. In spite of these differences, this study found a relative homogeneity among the two subgroups.
The results of this study provide support to studying most of the variables of the two subgroups together and give credence to authors who have already collapsed homicide and attempted-homicide subjects in their sample. Descriptive data show that the subjects often lived with the victims, were unemployed, and suffered from a severe pathology (usually a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia). Many who took psychotropic medication stopped taking it or took it irregularly. In addition, the parent did not acknowledge the presence of pathology and many set limits on the aggressor. Family and personal history of violence and mental illness are also important in this population. These constitute a number of risk factors that clinicians should take into account during an evaluation. » (p. 277)