Title

Commentary: Women, Violence, and Insanity

Authors

Authors

S. H. Friedman; R. C. W. Hall;R. M. Sorrentino

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law

Keywords

NATIONAL CLINICAL SURVEY; CHILD MURDER; GENDER-DIFFERENCES; MENTAL-DISORDERS; FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY; SUBSTANCE-ABUSE; HOMICIDE; MOTHERS; FEMALE; KILL; Law; Psychiatry

Abstract

There is less research about homicidal women than about their male counterparts. Women are often considered the gentler sex, and their risk of perpetrating violent acts is underestimated. In attempts to understand violence by women with mental illness, female homicide offenders found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) are an important subpopulation. Understanding common factors in this subpopulation (such as psychosis with religious delusions) may help in preventing severe violence perpetrated by women with mental illness. However, as with other crimes, those with mental illness who commit homicide may often have rational, nonpsychotic motives (such as anger, jealousy, self-defense, money, or criminal intent) and would not be captured in a study of those found NGRI. Further, caution must be used when studying an NGRI population, as there are potential gender biases in findings of insanity.

Journal Title

Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Volume

41

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Document Type

Editorial Material

Language

English

First Page

523

Last Page

528

WOS Identifier

WOS:000340856500008

ISSN

1093-6793

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