Religion and Attitudes Toward Physician‐Assisted Suicide and Terminal Palliative Care

Abstract

We assess religious differences in attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide and terminal palliative care, and go further than previous research by attempting to explain these variations. Using data from the 1998 General Social Survey, we fit OLS regression models to estimate the main effects of religious affiliation and indirect effects via religious involvement (church attendance and strength of affiliation). Both conservative and moderate Protestants are generally less accepting of physician-assisted suicide and terminal palliative care than nonaffiliates. However, both relationships are at least partially explained by church attendance and/or strength of affiliation.

Religion and Trends in Euthanasia Attitudes among U.S. Adults, 1977–2004

“…Because many people see these as moral issues, much of the research in this area has focused on the role of religion. For example, several studies address the effect of religion on suicide ideology (DeCesare, 2000;Monte, 1991;Sawyer and Sobol, 1987;Seidlitz et al, 1995;Singh, 1979;Wasserman, 1992, 1995;Stack et al, 1994), as well as on attitudes toward euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (Adams et al, 1978;Anderson and Caddell, 1993;Bachman et al, 1996;Burdette et al, 2005;DeCesare, 2000;Hamil-Luker and Smith, 1998;Holden, 1993;Klopfer and Price, 1978-79;Leinbach, 1993;MacDonald, 1998;Monte, 1991;Seale and Addington-Hall, 1994;Seidlitz et al, 1995;Singh, 1979). Results from these studies generally demonstrate that religion plays a key role in shaping positions on these issues.…”

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs: An Avenue to Explore End-of-Life Issues

“…They also found that being younger and/or Black significantly influenced disapproval of euthanasia. Burdette et al (2005) found that conservative Protestants were significantly different than were liberal Protestants and other faiths in opposing PAS. Burdette et al also found that African Americans were less accepting of PAS.…”

“…He may cry for rest, peace, and dignity, but he will get infusions, transfusions, a heart machine, or tracheotomy if necessary.- Kubler-Ross, 1969, p. 22 According to Burdette, Hill, and Moulton (2005) and Emery and Pargament (2004), religious concerns may be particularly important at the end of life, because it may have an impact on decisions regarding medical treatments. Religious and spiritual beliefs can affect decisions around prolonging life, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) instructions, hospice and palliative care, and physicianassisted suicide (PAS).…”

“…Breitbart et al (2004) stated that addressing spirituality in palliative care increases spiritual wellbeing and sense of meaning and decreases psychological distress. Burdette et al (2005) studied religious affiliations and attitudes toward hospice. They found that conservative Protestants and moderate Protestants were less accepting of palliative care but that 40% of the variance was attributed to church attendance.…”

Should Euthanasia Be Considered Iatrogenic?

“…Yet euthanasia for adults remains an extremely controversial subject and views tend to correlate with religious affiliation and race [37,38]. For example, in 2014, Quebec legalized euthanasia for competent adults with its Act Respecting End-of-Life Care [39], spurring Canada's parliament to pass legislation legalizing euthanasia for adults in June 2016 [40].…”