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Abstract

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From the significant amount of research devoted to parasuicide it is evident that parasuicidal adolescents experience many unique problems. There is however a paucity of research in this regard on South African Indian patients. Culturally oriented research is necessary in order to gain a better understanding of the problems facing these patients, and for appropriate management and ultimate prevention of parasuicide. Accordingly a preliminary study of parasuicide among Indian adolescents was undertaken. The patients (N = 54) were mostly older adolescent females who engaged in self-poisoning by overdose of medicinal substances. Culturally rooted authoritarian parenting and the effects of acculturation emerged as important causal considerations and are discussed in relation to the aetiology of parasuicidal behaviour in this group of patients.

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Parasuicide among Indian Adolescents: Some Cultural Perspectives

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