Why Older age Predicts Lower Acceptance of Physician-Assisted Suicide

This study tests 9 explanations for why older Americans are less accepting of physician-assisted suicide. Survey questionnaires were administered in a small rural community & an internal medicine clinic in western Wisconsin (n=1,311). Overall, 57% of the sample supported the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. 2 of the 9 factors significantly & negatively predicted attitudes: religious beliefs & belief that life’s transitions have value. The greater focus on religious beliefs among older subjects was able to significantly explain their lower levels of acceptance of physician-assisted suicide. The study clarified that age is not important in & of itself in predicting attitudes towards physician-assisted suicide.