Attitudes towards euthanasia in Iran: the role of altruism.
OBJECTIVE
Altruism is arguably the quintessential moral trait, involving willingness to benefit others and unwillingness to harm them. In this study, I explored how altruism and other personality variables relate to acceptance of euthanasia. In addition, I investigated the role of culture in attitudes to subcategorical distinctions of euthanasia.


METHODS
190 Iranian students completed the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale, the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised, and an interest in religion measure.


RESULTS
Higher scores on altruism, Honesty-Humility, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and religiousness were associated with viewing euthanasia as unacceptable. As expected, altruism explained unique variance in euthanasia attitude beyond gender, religiosity and broad personality factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Cultural and individual differences should be taken into consideration in moral psychology research and end-of-life decision-making.
Naser
N
Aghababaei
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D001290:Attitude; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics*; D028601:Euthanasia, Active / Q000941:ethics; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive / Q000941:ethics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D009014:Morals; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012067:Religion; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Attitudes Toward Death; Euthanasia; Moral Psychology; Psychology