Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Though it is difficult to determine the prevalence of intimate partner murder-suicide
(IPMS), it does appear that this phenomenon is reported in different parts of the world.
The psychological consequences of this phenomenon to the surviving family members
have also been widely reported. The aim of the study was to conduct a psychological
autopsy (PA) on male perpetrators and female victims of IPMS in a rural community
in Limpopo Province. The research objectives were; 1) To understand the
psychological intent, motives and behaviour of male perpetrators and female victims
in IPMS; 2) to identify role played by male perpetrators and female victims in effecting
their death; 3) To investigate multiple trajectories (that is, psychological, social,
environmental and cultural/historical context) contributed to IPMS; 4) To identify other
factors or events that may have triggered fatal behaviour of both male perpetrators
and female victims of IPMS; 5) To understand circumstances around IPMS; 6) To
develop guidelines to assist in responding to IPMS.
The study was qualitative in nature. In particular, the case study design was used.
Interpretative phenomenology approach was adopted. The study was informed by the
Theory of Planned Behaviour. Purposive sampling used to select cases of intimate
partner murder-suicide. Snowball sampling used to select participants and archival
sampling was used to select archived record. Thematic Content Analysis (that is,
inductive analysis) was used to identify patterns of meaning across the datasets in
order to provide answers to the research objective. The research revealed five major
themes. These themes are psychological profile of perpetrators, psychological profile
of victims, multiple trajectories towards IPMS, possible triggers in IPMS and
circumstance around IPMS.
Research findings suggest that although IPMS came as a total surprise there were
psychological intent, motive, behaviour on the part of male perpetrators and female
victims. The study recommends the need for further PA studies to shed the light on
the psychological intent of male perpetrators and female victims of IPMS. The
psychological intent of male perpetrators and female victims of IPMS heighten the
urgency for policy makers to develop IPMS prevention strategies and policies / National Institute for the Humanities and
Social Science (NIHSS), and South African Humanities
Deans Association (SAHUDA)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/3849 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Muthivhi, Elelwani |
| Contributors | Sodi, T., Sithole, S. L. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | v, 333 leaves |
| Relation |
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