#11430. Adopted children who kill their adoptive parents: An examination through the lens of attachment theory

July 2026publication date
Proposal available till 19-05-2025
4 total number of authors per manuscript0 $

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Journal’s subject area:
Law;
Clinical Psychology;
Psychiatry and Mental Health;
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Abstract:
Adoptive parricide, the killing of adoptive parents by their adoptive children, is a phenomenon that garners much media attention but remains elusive in the extant literature. Previous studies on adoptive parricide have largely consisted of clinical case studies with limited theoretical explanations. The current study uses Bowlbys attachment theory as a theoretical framework to explore adoptive parricide. A content analysis was conducted of news sources to obtain data on adoptive parricide cases. Hypotheses were generated per attachment theory in the context of Heides (20XXb) parricide offender typology. Early adoptees (n = 27) were compared to late adoptees (n = 29) using Fishers exact tests. Early adoptees were more likely to kill multiple victims, kill for selfish motives, be overindulged by adoptive parents, and not have limits set and enforced by adoptive parents. The results were not consistent with attachment theory. Implications for the adoption process and adoptive parenting practices are presented.
Keywords:
adoption; adoption age; adoptive parricide; attachment theory; family violence; homicide; parricide

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