Citation

Pretorius G, Bester M. J. Psychol. Afr. 2009; 19(3): 371-377.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore psychological risk factors that may precipitate the murder of a partner by an abused woman. In this article, the authors use multiple case studies and interviews with three women incarcerated for the murder of their partners. Four themes relating to intimate partner violence emerged from the interviews: 1) post-traumatic stress disorder, 2) coercive control, 3) substance abuse and 4) interrelational conflict. The study indicates psychological factors that may precipitate the murder of an intimate partner that should be taken into account when counseling abused women.