Table 1 Rates & Precipitants of Self-harm in South Asian Women in the UK

Burke (1976)

Retrospective case note study South Asian Males n = 24 Females n = 28

2 times the rate of South Asian men, low when compared to the general population.

Interpersonal disputes

Merrill & Owens (1986)

Crossectional patients admitted to the hospital after deliberate self harm South Asian Males n = 50 Females n = 146

3 times the rate of South Asian men, higher than UK-born females

Marital problems, arranged marriages rejections of arranged marriage proposals, cultural conflict

Neeleman et al, (1996)

Cross sectional Case notes of all patients referred to a hospital based DSH team over a six month period.

Indian females: 2.6 All Asian females (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, & Asian others): 1.68 as compared to whites. UK born Indian females rates were 7.8 times those of UK born white females

Bhugra et al (1999)

Crossectional (A&E, general medical, psychiatric services) South Asian Males n = 24 Females n = 65

1.6 times the rate of white women and 2.5 times the rate of South Asian men. Young Asian females (i.e. = 30 years) 2.5 times the rate of white women and 7 times the rate of South Asian men.

Gender role expectations, pressure for arranged marriage, individualisation and culture conflict

Cooper et al, (2006)

Prospective (A&E) South Asian Males n = 76 Females n = 223

Young South Asian women (16–24 years) 1.5 fold increase in risk compared to White women in the same age group. South Asian women over 5 times more likely to self-harm than South Asian men.

Relationship problems with family