I’m Still Left Here With the Pain

• Author: Kay Lang,Jeanna M. Mastrocinque,Heather Pruss,Jed W. Metzger,Catherine Cerulli,Marla Sandys,Peter K. Navratil,Jody Madeira
• DOI: 10.1177/1088767914537494
• Published date: 01 November 2015
• Date: 01 November 2015
• Subject Matter: Articles

Homicide Studies

2015, Vol. 19(4) 326 –349

© 2014 SAGE Publications

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DOI: 10.1177/1088767914537494

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Article

I’m Still Left Here With

the Pain: Exploring the

Health Consequences

of Homicide on Families

and Friends

Jeanna M. Mastrocinque1, Jed W. Metzger2,

Jody Madeira3, Kay Lang4, Heather Pruss5,

Peter K. Navratil6, Marla Sandys7,

and Catherine Cerulli8

Abstract

Limited research has focused on the aftermath of the homicide, namely, the families

and friends of homicide victims left in the wake of the tragedy. The present study is a

multisite study involving focus groups of families and friends of homicide victims and

assessing participants’ resulting biopsychosocial consequences, their experiences with

service providers, and whether or how their needs were met. This study is important

to better understand their needs and to create a holistic systematic response to

those most affected by homicide. The findings present recommendations regarding

what approaches, resources, and services would be helpful for people who have had

a loved one die by homicide, which may prove beneficial for academics, policymakers,

practitioners, and medical responders.

1York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA, USA

2Nazareth College, Rochester, NY, USA

3Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN, USA

4University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA

5Indiana University-Southeast, New Albany, IN, USA

6Resolve of Greater Rochester, Inc., Rochester, NY, USA

7Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

8University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA

Corresponding Author:

Jeanna M. Mastrocinque, Department of Behavioral Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania, LS 348, 441

Country Club Road, York, PA 17403-3651, USA.

Email: JMastroc@ycp.edu

537494HSXXXX10.1177/1088767914537494Homicide StudiesHomicide StudiesMastrocinque et al.

research-article2014

Mastrocinque et al. 327

Keywords

homicide, victims, health consequences, homicide victims, families and friends of

homicide victims

Introduction

Homicide research tends to focus on where, why, and how homicide occurs. Examples

include what environmental and cultural factors influence homicide rates (e.g.,

McCall, Land, & Parker, 2011; McCall, Parker, & MacDonald, 2008), the relation-

ships between perpetrators and homicide victims (e.g., Avakame, 1998), and longitu-

dinal statistics regarding homicides and area concentrations (e.g., McCall et al., 2011).

Behind each of these homicides is a less studied public health issue: the numerous

families and friends of homicide victims who are left in the aftermath of the tragedy

with myriad health burdens from the stress and complex resource needs (Kovandzic,

Vieraitis, & Yeisley, 1998; McDevitt-Murphy, Neimeyer, Burke, Williams, & Lawson,

2012). The health burdens include but are not limited to depression, post-traumatic

stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and insomnia (see Amick-McMullan,

Kilpatrick, Veronen, & Smith, 1989; Kaltman & Bonanno, 2003; King, 2004;

Rynearson, 1984; Zinzow, Rheingold, Byczkiewicz, Saunders, & Kilpatrick, 2011). In

addition to these health issues, there is often grief that left unexplored can cause fur-

ther issues for survivors (see Kaltman & Bonanno, 2003; Rynearson, 1995). Limited

research has focused on this population (e.g., Casey, 2011; Stern, 2010). The present

study is a multisite study involving focus groups of families and friends of homicide

victims (also referred to as “participants” hereinafter), and this article focuses on

assessing participants’ needs and whether those needs were met. The study adds to the

existing data by being a multisite, interdisciplinary study focusing on both multifac-

eted needs and experiences with multiple response systems. This study’s intent is to

give voice to the families and friends of homicide victims’ perspective so that system-

atic adjustments can be made to address service gaps. In addition, this study lays the

foundation for a portfolio of future research to create, implement, test, and disseminate

interventions to better assist survivors.

Homicide as a Public Health Issue

A homicide is a sudden, traumatic loss of a loved one that has devastating conse-

quences on surviving family members and friends (McDevitt-Murphy et al., 2012;

Morales, 1995; Rock, 1998). These consequences can include both short- and long-

term effects, which can affect one’s physical and mental health; marital, familial,

social, and community relationships; employment; and finances (Amick-McMullan,

Kilpatrick, & Resnick, 1991; Amick-McMullan et al., 1989; Flannery, Wester, &

Singer, 2004; McDevitt-Murphy et al., 2012; Satcher, 1995). In addition, a homicide

can significantly alter one’s spiritual or world view (Burke, Neimeyer, & McDevitt-

Murphy, 2010).