Euthanasia Attitudes of Older Persons

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Abstract
A secondary analysis explores the influence of age on attitudes toward euthanasia. Previously published research suggests that as individuals get older their attitudes will be less favorable. This study differs in two major ways. More recent data are used and a cohort design was employed that used nine cohorts whose members ranged in age from 45 to 85. Data from 10 separate years across a 15-year period, from 1977 through 1991, were analyzed. The conclusion reached is contrary to earlier studies: Older persons do not become less supportive of euthanasia as they age. In general, little change is noted as cohort members grow older. Chronological age did not emerge as a strong predictor among an extensive list of independent variables tested using multivariate models. Attendance at church services was the most predictive variable.