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Female Homicide in Italy in 2021: Different Criminological and Psychopathological Perspectives on the Phenomenon

Author

Listed:
  • Claudio Terranova

    (Legal Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

  • Laura Marino

    (Legal Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

  • Francesco Pozzebon

    (Legal Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

The intentional homicide of female victims, which is most commonly perpetrated by intimate partners or family members, has been recognized in recent years as a matter of grave public concern that needs to be addressed from the cultural and judicial perspectives. To allow an in-depth criminological and psychopathological evaluation of female homicide in Italy in 2021 to be conducted, the authors performed a newspaper report analysis of the phenomenon. All female homicides that occurred in Italy in 2021 ( n = 119) were included in the study. The analysis confirmed the low rate of female homicides in Italy when compared with other countries and also showed the phenomenon to be more complex than usually described. The highest rate of homicides was observed in elderly females when compared with other age groups, implying different criminological considerations and suggesting that gender-based violence may only explain some of the identified cases. The high incidence of suicide or attempted suicide among offenders, together with the high incidence of reported mental disorders in that population, suggests that a psychopathological perspective on the phenomenon of female homicide could help with the development and implementation of preventive strategies that focus on managing mental health at a territorial level and intervening in difficult domestic situations.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudio Terranova & Laura Marino & Francesco Pozzebon, 2022. "Female Homicide in Italy in 2021: Different Criminological and Psychopathological Perspectives on the Phenomenon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7537-:d:843213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yolanda Mejías-Martín & Juan de Dios Luna del Castillo & Candela Rodríguez-Mejías & Celia Martí-García & Juan Pablo Valencia-Quintero & María Paz García-Caro, 2019. "Factors Associated with Suicide Attempts and Suicides in the General Population of Andalusia (Spain)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Meiqian Gong & Sheng Zhang & Wenyan Li & Wanxin Wang & Ruipeng Wu & Lan Guo & Ciyong Lu, 2020. "Association between Childhood Maltreatment and Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Depressive Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Claudio Terranova, 2022. "Trends and Methods of Suicide in Italy, 1979 to 2016," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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