Definitions of suicide and self-harm behavior in an Australian aboriginal community.
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.
Farrelly
Terri
T
The Echidna Group-Indigenous Research & Development Consultancy, Thirroul, Australia. terri@echidnagroup.com.au
Francis
Karen
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012945:Social Values; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data