Commentary: Women, Violence, and Insanity

    Authors

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

    Comments

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    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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