Citation

Farrelly T, Francis K. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2009; 39(2): 182-189.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1521/suli.2009.39.2.182

PMID

19527158

Abstract

In this small qualitative grounded theory study (21 interviews and focus groups with a total of 26 participants) investigating the understandings of and attitudes toward suicide and self-harm of Aboriginal peoples in a coastal region of New South Wales, Australia, we found that cultural factors particular to these communities influence the way such behavior is defined in an Aboriginal context. A continuation of certain "traditional" cultural forms of self-harm behavior was evident in participant definitions, notably the practice of female hair cutting, also described as a mourning ritual, which appears to serve as a marker both to the individual and others.

Language: en