Interventions for adult survivors of intrafamilial homicide: A review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

Individuals bereaved by intrafamilial homicide, in which the perpetrator and decedent were both members of the same family, experience an elevated risk for risk for mental health complications. Given the contextual complexity of intrafamilial homicide (IFH) and the negative sequalae this form of loss can engender, psychological interventions may assist survivors with adjustment on a number of fronts. This scoping review therefore addresses an important knowledge gap by summarizing the limited information on interventions specific to intrafamilial homicide survivors. Results failed to identify interventions specific to IFH bereavement, though interventions that may be deemed appropriate are highlighted and described. As such, this scoping review provides a practical synthesis of evidence-based and evidence-informed psychological interventions for traumatic loss that are applicable to and may hold promise for this vulnerable population. Recommendations for future research and best practices with intrafamilial homicide survivors are also discussed.