End-of-life Decision-making and Religious Beliefs

Abstract


 
 
 
 This paper analyzes the opinions on and attitudes towards the end of life among the population residing in Argentina. The data presented are taken from the Second National Survey of Religious Beliefs and Attitudes in Argentina, which was conducted on a multi-stage sample of 2421 cases in 89 districts throughout the country. Opinions about the end of life include positions in favor of euthanasia, requesting life extension through life support technologies, and leaving death to God’s will. Religious beliefs and affiliations prove to be determining variables in the positions taken by Argentine citizens regarding the end of life, death, and euthanasia. Furthermore, among those without any religious affiliation, some positions of autonomy over their bodies stand out: prolonging life and bringing life to an end, which means that their support for euthanasia can be assumed. The data presented here intend to contribute to planning health policies about the end-of-life process. The different views on this process or, in other words, the beliefs, values, and needs of patients and their families have a unique relevance that must be considered in the organization of care settings in end-of-life contexts.
 
 
 

Dimensions of suffering and the need for palliative care: experiences and expectations of patients living with cancer and diabetes and their caregivers in Mexico – a qualitative study

“…Participants’ coping strategies give insight into the role of cultural beliefs in alleviating suffering. Faith-based and spiritual support approaches can promote a sense of meaning and purpose, an acceptance of death34 (and rejection of euthanasia),35 an ability to maintain satisfactory social roles,36 and a perception of better health 37. Trust in traditional remedies is based on beliefs in mystical causes of diseases not treatable by conventional medicine 38.…”

Shaping individual paths for decision-making: a fuzzy set approach of religious and humanistic beliefs leading to the (non)acceptance of euthanasia

“…Research on the association of euthanasia with the content of religious beliefs has mainly focused on three central beliefs: belief in God (Cohen et al , 2014; Cruz Esquivel and Irrazábal, 2021; Fortuin et al , 2019; Pomfret et al , 2018), belief in sanctity of life (Albright and Hazler, 1995; Burdette et al , 2005; Cherry, 2018; Green et al , 2022; Keown and Keown, 1995; Kranidiotis et al , 2015; Lockhart et al , 2023; Pitt, 2014) and belief in the afterlife (Fortuin et al , 2019; Holden, 1993; Sabriseilabi, 2022; Sabriseilabi and Williams, 2020; Sharp, 2019). In general, results of the studies indicate that higher degree of belief is associated with higher level of euthanasia rejection.…”

“…First, views on euthanasia have since long been equated with ethical decision-making IJOA 31,5 (Albright and Hazler, 1995;Fletcher, 1973). Also, views on euthanasia have been related with both religious beliefs (Cohen et al, 2014;Cruz Esquivel and Irraz abal, 2021;Fortuin et al, 2019;Pomfret et al, 2018) and humanistic beliefs (Green et al, 2022;Jaye et al, 2021;Sikora, 2009;Siurana et al, 2008). Furthermore, public debates around the globe show that euthanasia is a situation for which social consensus is absent, and where there is a clear divide between religion and secular worldviews (Cohen et al, 2014;Rudnev and Savelkaeva, 2018;Siurana et al, 2008;Tambakis et al, 2022;Weiberg-Salzmann and Willems, 2020;White et al, 2009).…”