A systematic review of older adults' request for or attitude toward euthanasia or assisted-suicide

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Dransart, DAC (Author) Other; Lapierre, S (Author) Other; Erlangsen, A (Author) Other; Canetto, SS (Author) Other; Heisel, M (Author) Other; Draper, B (Author) Other; Lindner, R (Author) Other; Richard Devantoy, S (Author) Other; Cheung, G (Author) Other; Scocco, P (Author) Other; Gusmao, R (Author) FMUP; De Leo, D (Author) Other; Inoue, K (Author) Other; De Techterman, V (Author) Other; Fiske, A (Author) Other; Hong, JP (Author) Other; Landry, M (Author) Other; Lepage, AA (Author) Other; Marcoux, I (Author) Other; Na, PJ (Author) Other; Neufeld, E (Author) Other; Ummel, D (Author) Other; Winslov, JH (Author) Other; Wong, C (Author) Other; Wu, J (Author) Other; Wyart, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Aging & Mental Health

Vol. 25

Pages: 420-430

ISSN: 1360-7863

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-HB0

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1697201

Abstract (EN): Objectives: Prevalence rates of death by euthanasia (EUT) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) have increased among older adults, and public debates on these practices are still taking place. In this context, it seemed important to conduct a systematic review of the predictors (demographic, physical health, psychological, social, quality of life, religious, or existential) associated with attitudes toward, wishes and requests for, as well as death by EUT/PAS among individuals aged 60 years and over. Method: The search for quantitative studies in PsycINFO and MEDLINE databases was conducted three times from February 2016 until April 2018. Articles of probable relevance (n = 327) were assessed for eligibility. Studies that only presented descriptive data (n = 306) were excluded. Results: This review identified 21 studies with predictive analyses, but in only 4 did older adults face actual end-of-life decisions. Most studies (17) investigated attitudes toward EUT/PAS (9 through hypothetical scenarios). Younger age, lower religiosity, higher education, and higher socio-economic status were the most consistent predictors of endorsement of EUT/PAS. Findings were heterogeneous with regard to physical health, psychological, and social factors. Findings were difficult to compare across studies because of the variety of sample characteristics and outcomes measures. Conclusion: Future studies should adopt common and explicit definitions of EUT/PAS, as well as research designs (e.g. mixed longitudinal) that allow for better consideration of personal, social, and cultural factors, and their interplay, on EUT/PAS decisions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Dissemination

No. of pages: 11