“That weird kid without parents”: a qualitative analysis of identity following bereavement due to parental intimate partner homicide in Australia

Abstract

Purpose: Bereavement through parental intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a unique form of complex trauma that may disrupt and destabilise identity in surviving children. This qualitative study aimed to generate a better understanding of post-homicide experiences and needs in the context of identity to improve support for these neglected victim-survivors. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Australia with 12 participants aged 16 to 55 years (10 females, one male, and one non-binary) who were younger than 18 years when one of their biological parents murdered the other. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were generated: (1) non-normalcy..