Juvenile homicide caused by firearm and family reorganization: a case study

Abstract

In Brazil, the death of young adults caused by firearms has victimized many families, what requires adjustments at the family system in order to handle with the loss. This case study aimed to investigate risk and protective factors related to the reorganization of a family after the death of a young son by firearm, in the first five years after the episode. The victim’s mother and one of the sisters answered a questionnaire for characterizing the family system and participated in a semi-structured interview, which was submitted to the analyses of units of meaning. Three units of meaning were identified: feelings about the loss, coping with the situation, and changes in the family. The study indicated risk and protection factors that influenced family dynamics and its reorganization facing the loss.