What do suicide loss survivors think of physician-assisted suicide: a comparative analysis of suicide loss survivors and the general population in Germany
{"title":"What do suicide loss survivors think of physician-assisted suicide: a comparative analysis of suicide loss survivors and the general population in Germany","authors":"Laura Hofmann, Louisa Spieß, Birgit Wagner","doi":"10.1186/s12910-024-01099-9","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and voluntary euthanasia remain highly debated topics in society, drawing attention due to their ethical, legal, and emotional complexities. Within this debate, the loss of a loved one through suicide may shape the attitudes of survivors, resulting in more or less favorable attitudes towards this topic. This study aims to explore and compare the attitudes towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia in a population of suicide loss survivors and the general population, while also considering socio-demographic factors. A total of 529 participants, 168 of whom were survivors of suicide loss, completed an online questionnaire on their attitudes (NOBAS) and opinions (open response format) towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia, as well as regarding their legalization in Germany. The analysis consisted of both quantitative and qualitative components. The entire sample showed positive attitudes towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia in terminally ill persons. Participants were more divided in their attitudes towards PAS in the case of a mental health disorder. Individuals without experienced suicide loss were more liberal regarding legalization in Germany and were more likely to understand the wish for PAS. Survivors of suicide loss were mainly concerned about the consequences for relatives. However, differences between both groups are small. The experience of a loss by suicide influences attitudes towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia. Both groups showed an accepting attitude towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia, but also expressed concerns and fears regarding easy accessibility and consequences for grieving relatives.","PeriodicalId":55348,"journal":{"name":"BMC Medical Ethics","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"BMC Medical Ethics","FirstCategoryId":"98","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-024-01099-9","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ETHICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and voluntary euthanasia remain highly debated topics in society, drawing attention due to their ethical, legal, and emotional complexities. Within this debate, the loss of a loved one through suicide may shape the attitudes of survivors, resulting in more or less favorable attitudes towards this topic. This study aims to explore and compare the attitudes towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia in a population of suicide loss survivors and the general population, while also considering socio-demographic factors. A total of 529 participants, 168 of whom were survivors of suicide loss, completed an online questionnaire on their attitudes (NOBAS) and opinions (open response format) towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia, as well as regarding their legalization in Germany. The analysis consisted of both quantitative and qualitative components. The entire sample showed positive attitudes towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia in terminally ill persons. Participants were more divided in their attitudes towards PAS in the case of a mental health disorder. Individuals without experienced suicide loss were more liberal regarding legalization in Germany and were more likely to understand the wish for PAS. Survivors of suicide loss were mainly concerned about the consequences for relatives. However, differences between both groups are small. The experience of a loss by suicide influences attitudes towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia. Both groups showed an accepting attitude towards PAS and voluntary euthanasia, but also expressed concerns and fears regarding easy accessibility and consequences for grieving relatives.
期刊介绍:
BMC Medical Ethics is an open access journal publishing original peer-reviewed research articles in relation to the ethical aspects of biomedical research and clinical practice, including professional choices and conduct, medical technologies, healthcare systems and health policies.