Investigating Homicides Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Women and Girls in the United States Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Introduction: Homicide is a leading cause of death among both children and adults in United

States, disproportionately impacting racial and ethnic minorities. Intimate partner violence (IPV)

is a common precipitating cause of homicides among women and child abuse and neglect is a

common circumstance among child victims. Despite known literature examining homicides,

there is limited research focused on the circumstances surrounding homicides of racial and ethnic

minority women and girls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the burden of homicides

and identify circumstances of deaths among racial and ethnic minority women and girls between

2003 and 2021.

Methods: Using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System we calculated the

proportion of homicides among racial and ethnic minorities females. Variables of interest

included age, race and ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, transgender identity, pregnancy status,

and education level. Circumstance variables studied included IPV, bystander, random violence,

jealousy in the relationship, brawl, drive by shooting, family relationship problems, other

relationship problems, abuse before death, interpersonal violence, and household substance

abuse. Descriptive statistics and a chi-squared test of independence were conducted using SAS

version 9.

Results: Between 2003 and 2021 homicides accounted for 46.87% of violence-related deaths

among racial minority women and girls. Black or African American (AA) non-Hispanic females

experienced the highest proportion of deaths due to homicide (67.36%). Among all homicides,

most (82.29%) occurred in women over 18 years old. Black or AA non-Hispanic girls aged 0 to

10 had the greatest proportion of deaths due to homicide (63.14%). Among homicides with

known circumstances, nearly a third were related to IPV (32.25%). Child abuse and neglect had a

high proportion of related deaths among each racial group under 18 and Black or AA non-

Hispanic girls had the highest proportion of deaths related to child abuse and neglect (81.79%).

Conclusion: This study provides homicide proportions and circumstances among racial and

ethnic minority women and girls in the U.S., highlighting disparities in victimization by racial

identity. Furthermore, findings fill the gap in literature among homicides and known

circumstances related to such deaths among racial and ethnic minority girls.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1

Purpose Statement:...................................................................................................... 4

Research Objective and Aims: .................................................................................... 4

Statement of positionality ............................................................................................ 5

Key Terms: .................................................................................................................. 6

LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................................... 7

Trends in violence-related deaths ............................................................................... 7

Theoretical framework ................................................................................................ 8

Risk factors for violence-related deaths .................................................................... 12

Health impact ............................................................................................................ 13

METHODS ...................................................................................................................... 15

Measures ................................................................................................................... 16

Data Analysis ............................................................................................................ 18

RESULTS ........................................................................................................................ 19

DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................... 27

Strengths and limitations ........................................................................................... 35

Implications for public health research and practice ............................................... 38

CONCLUSIONS................................................................................................................ 39

REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 40

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Gender-based violence Racial and ethnic disparities NVDRS Quantitative analysis Homicide Violence-related deaths Violence prevention
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Dabney Evans, PhD, MPH, Emory University
Committee Members	Ashley D’Inverno, PhD, Emory University Alexandra B. Morshed, PhD, MS, Emory University

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