Juvenile Alcohol Use and Self-Destructive Behaviour in Northern Populations. A Cross-Cultural Comparison

This article examines the factors involved in self destructive behavior among young people in Norway, Denmark & among young Canadian & Alaskan natives. The factors – child rearing & family situation, availability of a helping network, & society’s attitude toward suicide – are discussed cross-culturally. The significance of alcohol is also demonstrated. The author asserts that adolescent suicide is not merely a medical or psychiatric problem, but a social problem. (VM)