Attitudes toward Assisted Suicide: Does Family Context Matter?

Abstract

Little is known about how family-related contextual variables impact attitudes toward assisted suicide. A probability sample (N = 272) responded to a multiple-segment factorial vignette designed to examine the effects of 6 variables-patient sex, age, type of illness, relationship status, parenthood status, and family support-on attitudes toward physician- and family-assisted suicide. Respondents were more likely to support physician-assisted suicide if they heard about an older patient or a patient experiencing physical pain than a younger patient or one suffering from depression, respectively. For family-assisted suicide, respondent support was higher when the patient had physical pain than depression, and when the patient's spouse or friend was supportive of the wish to die than unsupportive. Attitudes about physician and family obligation to inform others were affected by type of illness, relationship status, family support, and respondent education and religiosity. The experience of pain, motivations for family involvement, confidentiality issues, and physicians' biases concerning assisted suicide are discussed.

A conceptual framework for thinking about physician-assisted death for persons with a mental disorder.

“…Research conducted over the past decade has shown that a patient's outcome improves when family members are involved in treatment-related decisions (Dixon et al, 2014). Moreover, survey data of the general public suggests that a majority favor family involvement in PAD decisions, especially when the patient is suffering from a mental disorder (Frey & Hans, 2015). Family involvement, however, may also make patients more vulnerable to pressure from family members to choose PAD.…”

Grief After Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide

“…Research in this field has focused on various aspects, such as the moral and ethical aspects (Bélanger et al, 2019; Kouwenhoven, van Thiel, van der Heide, Rietjens, https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/pdf/10.1027/0227-5910/a000630 - Karl Andriessen <karl.andriessen@gmail.com> -Monday, October 28, 20191:23:46 PM -IP Address:128.250.0.121 & van Delden, 2019Mishara & Weisstub, 2013;Speijer & Diekstra, 1980), public acceptance (Cohen et al, 2006;Frey & Hans, 2016;Marcoux, Mishara, & Durand, 2007;Poma et al, 2015), and the legal status and epidemiology of euthanasia and PAS (Cohen, Dierickx, Penders, Deliens, & Chambaere, 2018;Steck, Egger, Maessen, Reisch, & Zwahlen, 2013). Studies have also looked at the views of individuals requesting medical assistance in dying (Dees, Vernooij-Dassen, Dekkers, Vissers, & Van Weel, 2011;Hendry et al, 2013;Lapierre et al, 2018), family involvement in end-of-life decision-making (Gamondi, 2017;Gamondi, Pott, Preston, & Payne, 2018;Kimsma & Van Leeuwen, 2007;Pott, Dubois, Currat, & Gamondi, 2011), and the perceptions of physicians (Emanuel et al, 2016;Ganzini, Dobscha, Heintz, & Press, 2003) and other professional caregivers (Castelli Dransart, Scozzari, & Voélin, 2017).…”

Heaven, hell, and attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide

“…Personal experience also matters; those who have witnessed loved ones die are more likely to have positive attitudes toward medical practices that hasten death (Chapple et al, 2006). The attitudes of family members also influence individuals’ attitudes toward death-hastening medical practices; people are more supportive of voluntary euthanasia when they believe family members are also supportive of this medical practice (Frey and Hans, 2016; Teisseyrea et al, 2005). Specific health context is also important.…”

“…For instance, people are more supportive of cancer patients asking for medical treatments that hasten death than they are of Alzheimer’s patients (MacDonald, 1998). Moreover, people do not think that those suffering from depression or elderly persons who believe they are a burden to their families should be allowed to seek death-hastening medical treatments (Genuis et al, 1994; Frey and Hans, 2016; Hendry et al, 2012; Parpaa et al, 2010).…”