Attitudes of college students about physician-assisted suicide: The influence of life experiences, religiosity, and belief in autonomy

Death Studies ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory L. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide

scholarly journals PERSONHOOD-BASED KNOWLEDGE: A NEW CONSTRUCT PREDICTING PERSONAL DEMENTIA FEAR

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S467-S468
Author(s):  
Alexandria R Ebert ◽  
Susan McFadden ◽  
Danica Kulibert
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Biomedical Knowledge ◽  
The Public ◽  
Dementia Worry ◽  
Social Comfort

Abstract Perhaps because the public is not well-versed on the biological and medical facts of dementia (biomedical knowledge; BK), or the life experiences and capabilities of persons living with dementia (personhood-based knowledge; PBK), dementia is one the most feared and stigmatized terminal illnesses (Alzheimer’s Society, 2007), typically resulting in social isolation (George, 2010). Similar to personal dementia fear (fear of developing dementia; PDF), dementia worry has been associated with suicide ideation (Cui et al., under review), which is a predictor of accepting attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide (Wolfgag, 2017). Findings from the development and testing of a conceptual model of social comfort indicated that people with higher levels of PBK had higher levels of social comfort towards persons with dementia (Ebert, Kulibert, & McFadden, 2019). The present study is a secondary analysis of data obtained from Wisconsin residents through an online platform and community outreach efforts (Ebert, Kulibert, and McFadden, 2019; N = 645) to examine whether individuals with higher levels of PBK have lower levels of PDF. A hierarchical linear regression revealed that PBK and BK were significant predictors of PDF (β = -.13, p < .05; β = .108, p < .05, respectively). However, when controlling for age (β = .14, p < .01) and knowing a friend or family member with dementia (β = -.19, p < .001), only PBK remained a significant predictor (β = -.16, p < .01). Results suggest that enhancing PBK through interactions with people living as well as possible with dementia could reduce PDF.

Effect of the Doctor on College Students' Attitudes Toward Physician-Assisted Suicide

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Wooddell ◽  
Kalman J. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Students Attitudes

Ninety-six students were presented with eighteen different vignettes describing different types of active and passive observed suicide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. Attitudes regarding the morality and desired legality of each situation were measured. Results indicate that the interaction between the doctor and the patient, and, to a lesser extent, the active or passive nature of the agent of death, were more important than the actual actions of the doctor in allowing or causing death to occur.

Physician Assisted Suicide: A Scale and Some Empirical Findings

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Domino ◽  
Susan Kempton ◽  
Jim Cavender
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Lay Persons ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Item Scale

A twelve-item scale to measure attitudes toward physician assisted suicide is presented. The scale was developed by considering the existing literature and consulting with both professionals and lay persons. An initial version of the scale was pilot tested on three samples (physicians, elderly medical patients, and graduate students in a geriatrics program). An initial pool of thirty-seven items were administered to college students and twelve items that met specific criteria were retained. The twelve-item scale was then administered to three samples of participants: college students ( n = 118), caregivers ( n = 30), severely ill elderly ( n = 21). For all three samples, the scale showed substantial internal consistency with alpha indices ranging in the low .90s. The results indicate that the most favorable attitudes are held by those the furthest removed from considering the possibility of physician assisted suicide; the most elderly perceive such assistance as least acceptable.

Euthanasia and Related Practices Worldwide

Crisis ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Kelleher † ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
Paul Corcoran ◽  
Helen S Keeley ◽  
Eileen Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
International Association ◽  
Active Euthanasia ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Passive Euthanasia ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
General Acceptance ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Controversial Area ◽  
Active And Passive Euthanasia

The present paper examines the occurrence of matters relating to the ending of life, including active euthanasia, which is, technically speaking, illegal worldwide. Interest in this most controversial area is drawn from many varied sources, from legal and medical practitioners to religious and moral ethicists. In some countries, public interest has been mobilized into organizations that attempt to influence legislation relating to euthanasia. Despite the obvious international importance of euthanasia, very little is known about the extent of its practice, whether passive or active, voluntary or involuntary. This examination is based on questionnaires completed by 49 national representatives of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), dealing with legal and religious aspects of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, as well as suicide. A dichotomy between the law and medical practices relating to the end of life was uncovered by the results of the survey. In 12 of the 49 countries active euthanasia is said to occur while a general acceptance of passive euthanasia was reported to be widespread. Clearly, definition is crucial in making the distinction between active and passive euthanasia; otherwise, the entire concept may become distorted, and legal acceptance may become more widespread with the effect of broadening the category of individuals to whom euthanasia becomes an available option. The “slippery slope” argument is briefly considered.

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