Understanding Familicide: Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Mental Health Risk Factors and Implications for Forensic Behavioral Health Professionals

Author

• Molly M. Vogl, Concordia University, St. PaulFollow

Date

8-24-2026

Document Type

Non Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health

Department

Human Services

First Advisor

Jerrod Brown

Second Advisor

Ryan Chukuske

Abstract

Familicide is a rare but devastating form of family violence involving the killing of multiple family members by another family member. Although research examining domestic violence, homicide, and homicide-suicide has expanded, familicide remains less understood due to its low occurrence and complex nature. This capstone examined the psychosocial, behavioral, and mental health risk factors commonly associated with familicide perpetrators and explored how forensic behavioral health professionals may use this information to improve violence risk assessment, prevention, and intervention efforts. A review of peer-reviewed research from academic databases and scholarly search engines identified common themes associated with familicide, including relationship conflict, family dysfunction, coercive control, financial stress, prior violence, substance use, mental health concerns, and suicidal ideation. Findings from the research suggested that familicide rarely results from a single factor and is more often associated with the interaction of psychosocial, behavioral, and mental health influences while also highlighting challenges related to violence risk assessment, limited research samples, inconsistent definitions, and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to prevention and intervention. Understanding these risk factors may assist forensic behavioral health professionals in recognizing warning signs, improving violence risk assessment, and supporting earlier prevention and intervention efforts.

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