Spiritual Beliefs and Hastened Death: A Study on Medical Students

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Sousa, A (Author) Other; Marina, S (Author) Other; Miguel Ricou (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Omega: Journal of Death and Dying

ISSN: 0030-2228

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-JBR

DOI: 10.1177/0030222820944101

Abstract (EN): This study focuses on the impact of common spiritual beliefs regarding metaphysical questions in agreeability with the practice of hastened death. A sample of 497 Portuguese medical students was collected. Differences between genders and religions, predictors for agreeability with hastened death and the association between spiritual beliefs and opinion towards hastened death cases were assessed. Respondents were mostly favourable to the practice of hastened death. Formal religious affiliation and higher levels of religiosity significantly associated with lesser agreeability with hastened death. Statistically significant association was found between every hastened death scenario and multiple of the spiritual beliefs used. A number of spiritual beliefs were predictors of agreeability. We discuss the implications of religion and spirituality in agreeability with hastened death. Further research is required to better understand the true weight of spirituality in one's opinion towards this ethical dilemma.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 25