Intimate Partner Homicide-Suicide During the Pandemic
Author Information
Author(s): Salari Sonia, Videla Emma, Sillito Carrie
Primary Institution: University of Utah
Hypothesis
Did 2020 have more IPHS and what qualitative changes in IPHS media coverage happened during the pandemic?
Conclusion
The study found a dip in intimate partner homicide-suicide events in 2020, but an increase in violence in 2021 and 2022, particularly among younger individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- In 2020, U.S. domestic violence increased by 8%.
- The FBI reported a 'murder surge' during the pandemic.
- 95% of intimate partner homicide-suicide cases were male-perpetrated.
- Pandemic gun sales were greater among younger individuals.
- Elder adults had significantly fewer cases reported in the media.
Takeaway
The pandemic changed how often intimate partner homicides followed by suicides happened, with fewer cases in 2020 but more in the following years, especially for younger people.
Methodology
Content analysis of news surveillance data, articles, TV news, police reports, and obituaries.
Potential Biases
The study may be biased due to the reliance on media reports, which may not capture all incidents.
Limitations
Media coverage of elder adults was significantly less, indicating potential ageism.
Participant Demographics
Participants included individuals aged 18-44, 45-59, and 60+, with a majority of cases being male-perpetrated.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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