Applying a socio-ecological model to understanding the needs of children and young people bereaved by intimate partner homicide across their life course

Zain Kurdi, John Devaney, Claire Houghton, Oliver Eastwood, John Frederick, Kathryn Joy, Katitza Marinkovic Chavez, Ashwini Sakthiakumaran, Eva Alisic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Purpose: To develop a socio-ecological understanding of the immediate and long-term effects on, and the needs of, children and young people (CYP) in the UK and Ireland bereaved by parental intimate partner homicide (IPH).

Method: The study draws on in-depth interviews from three different informants: those with lived experience (LE) (10); caregivers (12); and professionals (10). In addition to the 10 interviews with those bereaved by maternal IPH, experiences discussed include a further 23 cases of bereavement due to IPH during childhood
(when aged under 18). We used thematic analysis to code and extracted themes into the relevant five dimensions of the socio-ecological model.

Results: The circumstances in which the homicide/suicide took place, were crucial in shaping children’s life trajectory. We identified circumstantial predictors in branching of trajectories: witnessing the murder; relatedness to perpetrator; and assumptions on biological relatedness. We found the need for life-long access
to therapeutic care to support CYP essential during various developmental stages and life transitions. We recognized that both kinship and foster carers, required support in dealing with the complexity of grieving children. For kinship care, carers require help in managing their own grief, in addition to financial support to
account for the new caring responsibilities. We also observed that children’s voice was rarely elicited, with no opportunities to exercise their agency.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of contextual circumstances for tailored support and the identification of appropriate carers and supporting them holistically. Finally, we highlight the importance ofchild centered policies and dedicated resources to support relevant services dealing with CYP bereaved by parental IPH.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Family Violence
Early online date29 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 29 Jul 2024

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • family violence
  • traumatic grief
  • lived experience
  • children and adolescents
  • trauma informed care
  • children's rights
  • intimate partner homicide
  • socio-ecological model

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