TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1999//
TI  - Parasuicide among youth in a general hospital in South Africa
JO  - Curationis
A1  - Mhlongo, T.
A1  - Peltzer, Karl
SP  - 72
EP  - 76
VL  - 22
IS  - 2
N2  - Parasuicide cases among youth (15-24 years) referred to the clinical psychology section of a regional hospital from 1995 to 1998 were reviewed. In all 100 cases (37 males and 63 females) were identified being about 10% of the caseload. As part of the clinical psychological assessment sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, trigger factors, employed methods and suicide intentions were analysed. Most patients were students (79%) or unemployed (16%). The major method employed to attempt suicide was ingestion of harmful substances (like paraffin, pesticides or battery acid)(73%). Acute social conflicts (38%), socio-economic deprivation (17%), AIDS phobia (17%), academic failure (14%), teenage pregnancy (10%) and mental illness (5%) triggered suicide attempts. Fifty-eight percent of the attempts were categorised as demonstrative and 27% as genuine. The psychodynamics of parasuicides are discussed in case studies and with reference to other studies.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0379-8577
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -