Might the COVID-19 pandemic spur increased murder-suicide?

Abstract

Purpose

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted concerns about an increased risk for psychological distress, broadly and suicide mortality, specifically; it is, as yet, unclear if these concerns will be realized, but they are plausible.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors demonstrate why researchers, clinicians, policymakers and other public health stakeholders should be vigilant to the potential increases in murder-suicide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of increased gun sales, alcohol sales, intimate partner violence and child neglect/abuse. These factors give one serious pause regarding the potential for murder-suicide, especially in the context of other pandemic-related stressors (e.g. loneliness, economic stress, health anxiety).

Originality/value

This paper highlights pandemic-related factors that might spur increased murder-suicide and encourages murder-suicide prevention efforts to take place alongside other pandemic-related public health interventions.

Citation

Joiner, T.E., Lieberman, A., Stanley, I.H. and Reger, M.A. (2020), "Might the COVID-19 pandemic spur increased murder-suicide?", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 177-182. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-05-2020-0502