Treating inner-city families of homicide victims: a contextually oriented approach

Interventions for child and adolescent survivors of intrafamilial homicide: A review of the literature

The nature of intrafamilial homicide is complex and traumatic. Child survivors are at significant risk for maladjustment, including negative psychological sequela, grief complications, and contextual challenges associated with the homicide. Thus, children may benefit from services addressing specific psychosocial challenges following intrafamilial homicide. In this paper, we review the literature to identify trauma- and grief-informed interventions implemented for youth following violent bereavement. Given limited research on this vulnerable population, we discuss interventions that show promise for child survivors, exploring specific needs, challenges, and potential implications of these interventions for treating children and families experiencing intrafamilial homicide bereavement.

Co-victims of Homicide: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This systematic literature review examines the effects of homicide on surviving family members, the "co-victims" or "survivors" of homicide. A content analysis was conducted on 40 articles identified through a search of the literature. The research samples were predominately located in the United States, but included two U.K. samples, one Jamaican sample, and one sample from Israel. All articles were written in English. Three themes were identified. Nineteen articles explored the psychological, academic, social, occupational, and familial effects of homicide. Thirteen articles considered survivors' grieving process and how it was altered by experiences with the criminal justice system as well as coping strategies used by survivors to deal with their grief. Eight articles explored treatment interventions available to help surviving family members deal with their grief. Key findings from the articles, limitations of the current research, and implications for future research, policy, and practice are included.

Reorganização familiar e rede social de apoio pós-homicídio juvenil

A morte violenta de jovens provoca mudanças no cotidiano das famílias e nas comunidades, particularmente nos modos de organização dos sobreviventes. Este estudo buscou investigar as transformações nos sentimentos, nas relações sociais e na rede social de apoio de oito famílias que perderam jovens vitimados por homicídio no Distrito Federal. Participaram da pesquisa mães e irmãos destes jovens, que responderam a um questionário de caracterização do sistema familiar e a uma entrevista semiestruturada. Os relatos, submetidos à análise qualitativa, apontaram sentimentos de desespero, dor, culpa, revolta e medo. O episódio alterou o funcionamento familiar, provocando desorganização nas relações conjugais e parentais. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de fortalecer a rede social dessas famílias e de investir em políticas públicas.

Protecting children from the dangers of urban poverty

Exposure to the social ecology of poor urban neighborhoods significantly increases the incidence of traumatic stress disorders, placing children growing up in such neighborhoods at disproportionate risk. Although the risk factors for and effects of childhood complex traumatic stress disorders are well documented, there is little intervention research to guide the delivery of services to this population. This paper builds on current knowledge of childhood trauma and related treatments by introducing an intervention model using constructive family ritual functioning as a mechanism for increasing the protective function of the family. The intervention model postulates that use of family rituals as a coping resource will lead to decreased symptoms of chronic traumatic stress and rates of exposure to additional trauma.

Homicide bereavement counseling: a survey of providers

The opinions of 116 homicide bereavement caregivers of interventions recommended for survivors were solicited. Presenting problems, optimum treatment framework, and reasons for treatment failure were also surveyed. Respondents preferred methods associated with crisis intervention and grief counseling. Other clinical techniques were rated as moderately helpful, except family therapy, which was highly rated. Suppression of trauma imagery was deemed harmful to survivors, though diversion was recommended often in cases of complicated grief. Caregivers who are themselves survivors appeared more sensitive to some of the emotional aspects of homicide bereavement, such as the potential for retraumatization in therapy.