The Traditional Model Does Not Explain Attitudes Toward Euthanasia A Web-Based Survey of the General Public in Finland

• Published in: Omega: Journal of Death and Dying Vol. 75; no. 3; pp. 266 - 283
• Main Authors: Terkamo-Moisio, Anja, Kvist, Tarja, Laitila, Teuvo, Kangasniemi, Mari, Ryynänen, Olli-Pekka, Pietilä, Anna-Maija
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-08-2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attitude to Death; Euthanasia - psychology; Female; Finland; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Public Opinion; Religion; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; euthanasia; Web-based survey; general public; ethics; social media; attitude
• ISSN: 0030-2228; 1541-3764
• DOI: 10.1177/0030222816652804

The debate about euthanasia is ongoing in several countries including Finland. However, there is a lack of information on current attitudes toward euthanasia among general Finnish public. The traditional model for predicting individuals’ attitudes to euthanasia is based on their age, gender, educational level, and religiosity. However, a new evaluation of religiosity is needed due to the limited operationalization of this factor in previous studies. This study explores the connections between the factors of the traditional model and the attitudes toward euthanasia among the general public in the Finnish context. The Finnish public’s attitudes toward euthanasia have become remarkably more positive over the last decade. Further research is needed on the factors that predict euthanasia attitudes. We suggest two different explanatory models for consideration: one that emphasizes the value of individual autonomy and another that approaches euthanasia from the perspective of fears of death or the process of dying.