Predictors of Attitudes Towards Physician-assisted Suicide

Data was collected from 136 college students at a private midwestern university to evaluate the predictors of physician-assisted suicide (PAS). In addition to demographic & family history information, respondents completed measures of attitudes towards seeking mental health services, depression, hopelessness, & PAS attitudes. Respondent age, race, & hopelessness scores were the only significant predictors used to identify potential predictors of PAS attitudes. Younger, non-minority respondents, & those less hopeful reported more accepting attitudes towards PAS. (LC) (28 refs)