Although the people of East Kwaio consider women more likely to commit suicide than men, author Akin states that a collection of cases over a 40-year period show male/female suicides to be roughly equal in number. There are however many more unsuccessful attempts by women, who are culturally & socially restricted in their response to conflict. Families rally to the support of a woman who becomes lafulafu (possesd by spirits) & threatens suicide. This reaction to stress is examined by the author.