Factors that influence consideration of hastening death among people with life-threatening illnesses.
Although the debate about whether an individual with a life-threatening illness should have the right to hasten his or her death continues, few researchers have examined why someone might consider such an option. This study examined factors that contribute to consideration of hastening death among people with life-threatening illnesses. A discriminant function analysis was conducted to determine what factors distinguished between people who had self-identified as either contemplating or not contemplating hastening their deaths. Of the variables examined, depression, social support, and hope distinguished between the two groups. Pain and anxiety appeared to play no role in distinguishing between the two groups. The results are presented and implications for social work practice and research are discussed.
Arnold
Elizabeth Mayfield
EM
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1087, USA. earnold@wfubmc.edu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001293:Attitude to Death; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States