Describes 146 married couples who were admitted to University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur due to parasuicide. Sociodemographic data, methods used in the suicide attempt, reasons for the attempts, and data on marital relationship were assessed using structured interview techniques. Patients were mainly young females (78%) who were experiencing short term difficulties with either their marriages or extended families. Indians appear to be overrepresented, comprising about 46.6% with Malays appearing to be slightly protected against parasuicide. Approximately 51% of the Ss chose overdosage of prescribed drugs while only 17.1% used physical harm. About 60% had been married for a duration exceeding 10 yrs before the presented with attempted suicide and 60% had two or less children. Marriages were mainly based on love not arrangement.