Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Turkish University Students

Abstract

This study aims to examine perceptions and attitudes toward euthanasia among university students who are pursuing bachelor's degrees. Although the legalization and application of euthanasia are discussed commonly by health-care professionals and partially by lawyers, the ideas of other segments of society, especially university students, are taken place very rarely. The research was conducted descriptively to determine the ideas of 1,170 students at Kastamonu University from six different departments: arts and sciences, theology, tourism, nursing, school of physical education, and sports with using a questionnaire. Findings demonstrated that 73.2% of the students do not approve euthanasia. Also, it was found that there are significant differences depending on age, gender, department of study, income level, place of living, and the loss of kinsmen. This study serves as a resource for future research to understand the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on the decision of euthanasia.

Perception of Medical Assistance in Dying Among Asian Buddhists Living in Montreal, Canada

“…As for sociodemographic characteristics, none seemed to distinguish each group of attitude toward MAiD, except for gender. In contrast to some study findings (Castelli Dransart et al, 2019;Emanuel et al, 2016;Ulas Karaahmetoglu & Kutahyalioglu, 2019), female participants seem to favor MAiD more in this study. As argued by Mercadillo et al (2011), compassion, empathetic sensitivity, and manifestation of extra care for others through emotional appraisal, may have influenced female support for MAiD as a way to end suffering.…”

“…As for sociodemographic characteristics, none seemed to distinguish each group of attitude toward MAiD, except for gender. In contrast to some study findings (Castelli Dransart et al., 2019; Emanuel et al., 2016; Ulas Karaahmetoglu & Kutahyalioglu, 2019), female participants seem to favor MAiD more in this study. As argued by Mercadillo et al.…”

Effect of Euthanasia Education on the Views of Nursing Students

“…There are studies showing how much the subject of euthanasia is included in nursing curricula that have not been found in Turkey. Studies on euthanasia are generally related to the knowledge, perception, perspective, and attitudes of physicians, nurses or students toward euthanasia and the factors affecting them ( 10 – 13 ). Therefore, training should be organized to enable different disciplines such as physicians, nurses and midwifery students to create their arguments.…”

“…In the literature, there are some studies in which the views of healthcare professionals and students are discussed. Studies on euthanasia in Turkey are generally about the knowledge, perception, view, and attitudes of physicians, nurses or students toward euthanasia and the factors affecting them ( 10 – 13 ). No studies have been found showing how much euthanasia is included in the curriculum.…”

Attitudes toward Passive Euthanasia among Students from Selected Constituents of the University of Zagreb

“…Iz toga zaključujemo da studenti nisu a priori isključivi u pogledu neodobravanja eutanazije, već smatraju da postoje određene okolnosti u kojima je ona opravdana (na primjer s česticom č14, »Pasivna eutanazija je opravdana ako pacijent boluje od neizlječive bolesti.«, slaže se ili u potpunosti slaže više od trećine studenata). Konačno, imajući na umu strukturu uzorka ovog rada, zaključujemo da ovi nalazi uvelike potvrđuju nalaze ranijih istraživanja (Karaahmetoglu i Kutahyalioglu, 2017;Leppert i dr., 2013;Poli, 2018;Sikora, 2009;Sharp, 2017;Stolz i dr., 2015;Tomašević i Jurun, 2007;Weiss i Lupkin, 2010) u kojima se pokazalo da su eutanaziji skloniji ispitanici niže dobne skupine, oni koji žive u urbanim sredinama te oni višeg stupnja obrazovanja.…”