Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J M Cravens.
Twelve filicidal men were examined on a forensic psychiatric service. The majority suffered from severe mental impairments due to psychosis, neurological disorders, substance abuse, or mental retardation. Most of the filicidal acts committed by these chronically impaired men resulted from isolated explosive behavior.
The authors studied 15 men who committed matricide. The majority were diagnosed as having chronic schizophrenia and had been living alone with their mothers. Other diagnoses included substance-induced psychosis and impulse disorders. Specific psychodynamic and environmental factors can be identified for each diagnostic category. The authors conclude that the matricidal impulse evolves through successive stages of psychological development; therefore, the motives for matricide are varied and correlate with the level of psychological development or regression.
The authors reviewed the records of 10 men charged with patricide, including one charged with double parricide, all of whom had been examined at the Forensic Psychiatry Service of Bellevue Hospital from 1970 to 1983. Prior psychoses were documented in all subjects; nine were referred to as delusional. Four perceived their fathers as having posed threats of physical or psychological annihilation to them, and five saw paternal threats to their manhood. The 10th man allegedly killed his father during a drunken brawl.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.