Analysis of the Relationship between Neonaticide and Denial of Pregnancy Using Data from Judicial Files

Autor/inn/en	Vellut, Natacha; Cook, Jon M.; Tursz, Anne
Titel	Analysis of the Relationship between Neonaticide and Denial of Pregnancy Using Data from Judicial Files
Quelle	In: Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal, 36 (2012) 7-8, S.553-563 (11 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0145-2134
DOI	10.1016/j.chiabu.2012.05.003
Schlagwörter	Prenatal Care; Self Esteem; Court Litigation; Pregnancy; Psychopathology; Foreign Countries; Defense Mechanisms; Homicide; Neonates; Correlation; Prevention; Qualitative Research; Statistical Analysis; Mothers; Police; Law Enforcement; Contraception; Personality Problems; Interpersonal Communication; Interpersonal Relationship; Rejection (Psychology); Generalization; Social Support Groups + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Pränatale Versorgung; Self-esteem; Selbstaufmerksamkeit; Rechtsstreit; Schwangerschaft; Psychopathologie; Ausland; Abwehrverhalten; Mord; Neugeborenes Kind; Korrelation; Prävention; Vorbeugung; Qualitative Forschung; Statistische Analyse; Mother; Mutter; Gesetzesvollzug; Empfängnisverhütung; Interpersonale Kommunikation; Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Ablehnung; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung
Abstract	Objectives: Using judicial files on neonaticides, (1) to examine the frequency of the association between neonaticide and denial of pregnancy; (2) to assess the accuracy of the concept of denial of pregnancy; (3) to examine its usefulness in programs to prevent neonaticides. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative analyses of data collected from judicial files during a population-based study carried out in 26 courts in 3 regions of France over a 5-year period. Results: There were 32 cases of neonaticides identified; 24, perpetrated by 22 mothers, were solved by police investigation. Aged 26 years on average, the mothers had occupations that resembled those of the general population and 17 had jobs, 13 were multiparous and 11 lived in a couple relationship. No effective contraception was used by women in 20 cases. Psychopathology was rare but mothers shared a personality profile marked by immaturity, dependency, weak self esteem, absence of affective support, psychological isolation and poor communication with partners. No pregnancy was registered nor prenatal care followed. Two (perhaps 3) pregnancies were undiscovered until delivery. No typical denial of pregnancy was observed in the other cases. Pregnancies were experienced in secrecy, with conflicting feelings of desire and rejection of the infant and an inability to ask for help. Those around the mothers, often aware of the pregnancy, offered none. In the absence of parallel clinical data, it is not possible to calculate the frequency of the association between neonaticide and denial of pregnancy. Conclusions: The term "denial of pregnancy" cannot fully reflect the complexity of emotions and feelings felt by all perpetrators of neonaticide and is used differently by different professionals. The term itself and its excessive generalization contribute to pathologizing women while absolving those around them and has little operational value in preventing neonaticides. The authors suggest rethinking the terms presently used to describe the phenomenon of pregnancy denial. (Contains 1 table.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10