Indians in South Africa make up 3% of the population & have been described as an acculturating community. Researchers relate this to a high rate of parasuicide in adolescents in this group. This presentation reports on family functioning. A group of parasuide subjects aged 15-20 years & 2 control groups were administered scales measuring family functioning. Indian adolescent parasuicides perceive their families as rigid, over-controlling, & lacking in emotionally positive closeness.