title: Experiences and motivations underlying wishes to die in older people who are tired of living: a research area in its infancy.
abstract: The wish to die in older people who are tired of living and the possibilities to organize death are currently being discussed within the debate on self-determination and physician-assisted suicide. Until now insight into the experiences and thoughts of people who are tired of life but not suffering from a severe depression or a life-threatening disease is lacking. Studies focussing specifically on this topic are rare. This review provides an overview of this research area in its infancy. The existential impact of age-related loss experiences play an important role in developing a wish to die. Other influencing factors are: personal characteristics, biographical factors, social context, perceptions and values. Further research to experiences and motivations underlying these specific age-related wishes to die and the existential impact of the loss-experiences seems necessary to deepen the understanding of this group of older people and for the development of policy and good care.
authors.affiliation: University of Humanistic Studies.
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Wijngaarden
authors.affiliation: University of Humanistic Studies.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leget
authors.affiliation: University of Humanistic Studies.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goossensen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D000092864:Suicide Prevention