A Review on the Effects of Homicide on Co-Victims: Mental Health, Coping, and Race

Presently, there is a limited body of research interested in the effects of homicide on victims’ close friends and family; however, it is important to explore the consequences of these tragedies on the living. This report delves into uncharted territory: currently, there is no comprehensive publication that addresses the extensive issues impacting co-victims. The literature review aimed to examine, in their entirety, the recorded effects of homicide on surviving friends and family members of murder victims, hereafter known as co-victims. Following the analysis of seven pertinent articles, the key findings were as follows: six articles focused on the mental health outcomes for co-victims, four articles focused on the coping strategies used by co-victims following the trial and sentencing and how to better support them, and three articles focused on how Black and Latinx communities were disproportionately co-victimized when compared with any other community. Additionally, two articles specifically focused on adolescents and young adult co-victims, while all other articles generally focused on co-victims as a whole or only adults. This report analyzes and discusses the effects of homicide on co-victims in relation to the sociology of mental health, spanning structural strain theory, stress paradigm, and perceived social support. Lastly, the report offers a policy proposal regarding future care practices for co-victims via wraparound services.