The social perspective of euthanasia in Spain: variables that predict attitudes towards euthanasia

Muro, Ma Pilar Montañés; Soriano, Mª Eugenia; García, Guadalupe Manzano

doi:10.6018/analesps.511201

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Additionally, participants with higher level of education and lower level of religiosity manifested more positive attitudes toward EUT in both medical conditions. These findings support former studies which found positive correlations between education levels and attitudes toward EUT ( 18 – 21 ), and negative correlations between religiosity level and favorable tendency toward EUT ( 5 , 21 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 37 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Since prevalent religions prohibit all forms of euthanasia and suicide, religious beliefs are important factors in explaining attitudes toward EUT. Most studies reported that religiously observant persons displayed more negative attitudes and behaviors toward EUT and assisted suicide than secular people ( 5 , 21 , 30 , 31 ). However, some variation exists between different religions and religious denominations ( 3 , 18 , 20 , 24 , 32 , 33 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Older adults' attitudes toward using Euthanasia at the end-of life: cancer vs. Parkinson's disease

Lifshitz,

Bachner,

Carmel

2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThere is a paucity of studies that compare older adults' attitudes toward Euthanasia in two different terminal illnesses. Moreover, these studies did not relate to potentially influencing psycho-social factors. The current study aimed to examine the impact of a diverse range of variables on attitudes among older adults toward Euthanasia in two medical conditions: cancer and Parkinson's disease.MethodsA total of 501 individuals aged 75 and above participated in the study. Attitudes toward Euthanasia were measured using vignettes which described two conditions: an 80-year-old man with metastatic cancer and another man in an advanced stage of Parkinson's disease. The questionnaire included measures of relevant experience (with a close family member or a friend dying from a terminal illness), self-efficacy, will to live, satisfaction with life, will to prolong life, fear of death and dying, social support, and psycho-social characteristics. The data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression models.ResultsA more positive attitude toward Euthanasia was found in the case of cancer compared to Parkinson's disease. Being a woman, having more years of education, lower level of religiosity, greater fear of death and dying and higher self-efficacy contributes to more favorable attitudes toward Euthanasia in both end-of life conditions.ConclusionsThe finding that attitudes toward Euthanasia are statistically significantly more positive in the case of cancer compared to Parkinson's disease can be attributed to the greater prevalence of cancer in the population, and to the public's awareness of the suffering associated with each of these medical conditions. Beyond the important role of the socio-demographic characteristics of gender, education, and religiosity, it appears that fear of death and dying and self-efficacy are important psychological factors in explaining attitudes toward Euthanasia in both illnesses among older people. These findings shed light on older adults' attitudes toward Euthanasia in debilitating illnesses.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older adults' attitudes toward using Euthanasia at the end-of life: cancer vs. Parkinson's disease

Lifshitz,

Bachner,

Carmel

2024

Front. Public Health

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“…Based on research carried out in Spain, there are no differences in attitudes toward euthanasia according to the gender or age of the participants, which does not correspond to our data. However, religion is seen as an important factor influencing the attitude [ 22 ]. Moreover, according to some studies, sociodemographic factors such as religiosity play a greater role in attitudes toward euthanasia than disease severity [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies suggest that respondents with a worse academic background tend to support euthanasia more compared to those with higher education [ 25 ], which also corresponds to our findings. Additionally, political orientation may have an impact on the public’s attitude [ 22 ]. A unique study from South Korea identified poor physical status and comorbidity as prognostic factors for acceptance of medical assistance in dying [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitude of the Lithuanian Public toward Medical Assistance in Dying: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bachmetjev,

Airapetian,

Zablockis

2024

Healthcare

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Euthanasia and assisted suicide, involving the intentional termination of a patient’s life, are subjects of global debate influenced by cultural, ethical, and religious beliefs. This study explored the attitudes of the general public toward euthanasia, finding varying levels of support. A cross-sectional study was conducted. This research specifically evaluated the perspectives of 5804 Lithuanian residents using a survey distributed through social media, which presented medical scenarios on life-preserving interventions. Analysis indicated that gender, religion, experience in caring for patients in a terminal condition, education, and age significantly influenced the attitudes of the respondents toward end-of-life decisions. Specifically, factors like being non-religious or having less experience in caring for the terminally ill correlated with a more positive opinion regarding euthanasia and other forms of medical assistance in dying.

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“…Religiosity has been measured in diverse ways, which may be broadly categorized into self-identification issues and participation issues. Self-identification issues include the degree to which respondents conceive themselves as being religious (Balslev van Randwijk et al , 2020; Bulmer et al , 2017; Montañés Muro et al , 2023; Musgrave and Soudry, 2000; Ryynänen, 2002; Sullivan et al , 1998) and the importance they attribute to religion or to God (Inglehart et al , 2021; Periyakoil et al , 2016; Pitt, 2014; Rudnev and Savelkaeva, 2018; Verbakel and Jaspers, 2010). Participation issues mainly refer to adherence to religious practices (Barnett et al , 2020; Bevacqua and Kurpius, 2013; Castelli Dransart et al , 2021), particularly in the case of church/religious institution attendance (Burdette et al , 2005; Danyliv and O’Neill, 2015; DeCesare, 2000; Marsala, 2019; Sikora, 2009; Singh, 1979).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Soares

Teixeira

Tavares

2023

IJOA

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Purpose While the influence of individual beliefs on decision-making has been widely acknowledged, the interaction of different types of beliefs remains an under-researched topic. This study analyses how the simultaneous influence of religious beliefs and nonreligious beliefs shapes individual decision-making. This study aims to contribute to inform organizational decisions on topics potentially associated with these two types of beliefs, including corporate social responsibility matters. This study also aims to provide insights to ethical decision-making in situations of absence of social consensus, a subject that is relevant for individuals, organizations and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to identify how different configurational groupings of Christian beliefs and humanistic beliefs lead to the acceptance or nonacceptance of euthanasia in a sample of individuals who identify as Catholic. Findings Among individuals sharing a Catholic religious affiliation, the authors identify three different configurations of beliefs – Cultural Catholics (religious beliefs are absent and humanistic beliefs are present), Observant Catholics (religious beliefs are present and humanistic beliefs are irrelevant) and Secular Catholics (both religious beliefs and humanistic beliefs are present). Originality/value Previous research has put forward the role of religion-related variables, such as religious affiliation and level of religiosity, for views on euthanasia. This study provides a more detailed analysis of the role of belief systems, identifying how different configurational groupings of beliefs lead to a decision grounded in moral and ethical considerations but for which there is an absence of social consensus.

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The social perspective of euthanasia in Spain: variables that predict attitudes towards euthanasia

Cited by 3 publications

References 34 publications

Older adults' attitudes toward using Euthanasia at the end-of life: cancer vs. Parkinson's disease

Older adults' attitudes toward using Euthanasia at the end-of life: cancer vs. Parkinson's disease

Attitude of the Lithuanian Public toward Medical Assistance in Dying: A Cross-Sectional Study

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

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