Adoptive parricide, the killing of adoptive parents by their adoptive children, is a phenomenon that garners much media attention but remains elusive in the extant literature. Previous studies on adoptive parricide have largely consisted of clinical case studies with limited theoretical explanations. The current study uses Bowlby's attachment theory as a theoretical framework to explore adoptive parricide. A content analysis was conducted of news sources to obtain data on adoptive parricide cases. Hypotheses were generated per attachment theory in the context of Heide's (2013b) parricide offender typology. Early adoptees (n = 27) were compared to late adoptees (n = 29) using Fisher's exact tests. Early adoptees were more likely to kill multiple victims, kill for selfish motives, be overindulged by adoptive parents, and not have limits set and enforced by adoptive parents. Late adoptees were more likely to report having been abused by their adoptive parents. The results were not consistent with attachment theory. Implications for the adoption process and adoptive parenting practices are presented.

中文翻译：

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被收养的孩子杀死养父母：从依恋理论的角度进行考察

领养杀亲，即养父母被养父母杀害，这种现象引起了媒体的广泛关注，但在现有文献中仍然难以捉摸。以前关于过继杀父的研究主要由临床案例研究组成，理论解释有限。目前的研究使用鲍尔比的依恋理论作为探索过继杀父的理论框架。对新闻来源进行了内容分析，以获取有关杀害收养案的数据。在 Heide (2013b) 的弑亲罪犯类型学的背景下，根据依恋理论产生了假设。将早期收养者 ( n  = 27) 与晚期收养者 ( n = 29) 使用 Fisher 精确检验。早期收养者更有可能杀死多个受害者，出于自私动机而杀人，被养父母过度放纵，并且没有养父母设定和强制执行的限制。过时的被收养者更有可能报告被养父母虐待。结果与依恋理论不一致。介绍了收养过程和收养养育做法的影响。