Date of Conferral
3-28-2025
Date of Award
March 2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Eric Hickey
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the motivations and risk factors of revenge filicide. Revenge filicide is when a parent murders their child or children out of retaliation to inflict emotional pain on the other parent. This descriptive study used 12 revenge filicide cases consisting of five female and seven male offenders to determine the motivation and risk factors for revenge filicide, and attachment theory was used as the theoretical foundation. The whole sample reported having strained or failed relationships with their current or former partner and were amid a bitter custody battle at the time of the offense. Victims ages ranged from 7 mos. to 14 years old and were typically murdered by drowning suffocation and firearms. The themes recognized from this study include a severe lack of emotional connection, motivation/desire to control, and a deep desire to inflict pain and suffering. These findings contribute to some of what is known about revenge-motivated filicides. Positive social change may occur by raising awareness of filicide offenders' motivations and risk factors, increasing the application of safety measures, improving detection, preserving children's lives, and promoting members of the community's overall safety.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Alicia Darneice, "Examining Motivations and Risk Factors Associated with Revenge Filicide" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17538.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17538
