Motivations Of Parasuicide Tendencies Among Young Married Females At Parirenyatwa Pychiatric Unit In Harare

ABSTRACT

The study explored the motives of parasuicides tendencies among young married females who

seek assistance at Parirenyatwa Psychiatric Unit. The numbers of parasuicide patients are

increasing monthly in Harare and the majority are young females of the age of 16 to 22.

There are very few studies done in Zimbabwe on motives behind parasuicide or self injuries

as a way of attempting suicide especially in married adolescents females. The researcher

reviewed literature from other scholars and very few researches address parasuicide just in

general. The research adopted the exploratory research design to expose the causes of

suicide attempts in young married females with a sample of 12 respondents selected using the

opportunistic purposive sampling technique. The results of study indicated that financial

crisis emanating from substance abuse, to get rid of painful situations, witchcraft accusations

and evil spirit possession, family disunity and inter-conflicts, physical and verbal abuse by

the husband and the in-laws. In conclusion the study realise that it is difficult for these young

mothers to endure such perpetuating and precipitating factors so as to have positive

perceived behaviour and attitude. It was recommended that the government must come up

with a blue print on suicide prevention, family integration tolerance and reconciliation. The

conflicting parties surrounding the victims that is the spouses, siblings, parents and the inlaws

should unite, seek psycho-social advice and family psychotherapy to save the life of

vulnerable young married females