Suomalaisten perheen sisäisten henkirikosten taustatekijät ja ennaltaehkäisy

The purpose of this study was to describe the background factors and prevention measures of intrafamilial homicides in Finnish families from the perspectives of the forensic psychiatric examinations of the familicide perpetrators, the loved ones of the victims of familicide as well as the public health nurses at maternity and child health clinics. The aim was to make a synthesis of the research results the background factors and prevention of intrafamilial homicides. The research results were to be used to develop new prevention measures of intrafamilial homicides. It is suggested that the information can be utilized by training professionals to identify the background factors of the intrafamilial homicides as well as increase the general knowledge of the background factors of intrafamilial homicides in the society. In addition, the results can be utilized to improve the care processes which would ensure that families receive timely and individual help in a timely manner.

The dissertation included three sub-studies. The first sub-study investigated the views of the public health nurses (n=85) at the maternity and child health clinics on the background factors and prevention of familicides. The views of the public health nurses were collected via an electronic e-questionnaire in the Southern and Eastern Finland region. In the second sub-study, the loved ones of victims of familicide (n=17) described their experiences of the background factors and prevention of familicides. The experiences of the loved ones were collected via an electronic Forms-questionnaire. In addition, some loved ones (n=11) also participated in thematic interviews, which were conducted as individual interviews. The third sub-study analyzed the forensic psychiatric examinations (in 2006–2021) of the familicide perpetrators (N=119). The third study focused on identifying and describing the background factors of the familicides. The data from all three sub-studies were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The related background information was also studied and described quantitatively. Finally, a synthesis formed through the analysis of the three complementing sub-studies related to the background factors and prevention measures of intrafamilial homicides was introduced in the summary of the study.

According to the results of the study, the prevailing background factors of the intrafamilial homicides were identified as childhood and youth abuse, mental health disorders, substance abuse and related diseases as well as domestic violence between adults. The complementing background factors were also child abuse, complicated divorce situations, socioeconomic problems, emotional and thinking difficulties as well as the lack of available arranged help for those in need. The key measures for the prevention of the intrafamilial homicides, in turn, involved providing help in a timely manner at the most critical moments of the intrafamilial homicides conduct, protecting children and preventing domestic violence between adults.

Identifying and addressing the most relevant background factors in a timely manner can prevent the intrafamilial homicides. According to the study, the background factors of the intrafamilial homicides were visible in the long term and, it was common that the childhood experiences play a role in the adulthood.