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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this article by Patterson was to review the psychological and social background of six juvenile killers.
METHODOLOGY:
A nonexperimental case study analysis was employed for this study. The case files of six juveniles who had been convicted of homicide in Michigan were reviewed for this research. Psychiatric and background reports were recorded by various members of the staff. These files were the source of the data.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
There were several factors associated with these six cases, according to the author. Intense sibling rivalry was cited as an underlying cause of homicide in one case. Repressed patricidal wishes were discussed in depth as related to two cases. In the first, the fear and hatred from a brutal parent led to the parent's death. In the second, the author claimed that there was an underlying wish to remove the father because of a strong attachment to the mother. Two additional cases were explained through homicidal behavior directed toward others but stemming from desires to harm a parent or parents. In one case, the juvenile hated the father and, thus, killed a father substitute. In a second case, the juvenile was said to be clearly resentful of authority and participated in disruptive behavior; this pattern of behavior led to the killing of another. Two cases involved mental deficiency or dull intelligence. The author concluded that the importance of several factors came out of analysis of these cases. First, juvenile adjustment was mentioned. Secondly, social background was seen as important. These juveniles came from homes that had marginal economic status, were disintegrated or disorganized (e.g,. alcoholism, quarreling, delinquency), and had one or more parents poorly adjusted and/or unstable. The author also reported a tendency for mother attachment and father hatred.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author noted that only one of the youth had ever seen a therapist. He advocated that more outreach reach rural areas through county social workers and schools. Further, he called for sustained educational and propaganda programs. Additionally, it was suggested that therapists be alert to homicidal possibilities in immature, insecure adolescents at high risk so that therapy can be taken to intervene.
EVALUATION:
This article represents one of the first in the field of juvenile homicide. Unfortunately, it also reflects the methodology of the era. Six cases are not enough from which to draw any kind of generalizable conclusions. Additionally, it is unclear exactly how the evaluations were done. The claim that multiple staff members help to eliminate bias is a point well taken. However, it also means that there was a large potential for variability. The focus of this analysis was somewhat neo-Freudian with little backing support. Finally, the age of the study (over 50 years old) makes any empirically supportable findings potentially flawed by historical context or age cohort effects. The usefulness of this study exists only as its contribution to the beginning of the dialogue on homicidal juveniles.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
1930s
1940s
Psychological Evaluation
Juvenile Violence
Juvenile Offender
Homicide Offender
Case Studies
Offender Characteristics
Psychosocial Factors
Psychological Factors
Homicide Causes
Violence Causes
Family Environment
Family Relations
Parent Child Relations
Mother Child Relations
Father Child Relations
Environmental Factors
Sociocultural Factors
09-03 |