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A scale to assess attitudes toward euthanasia
Jason Wasserman1, Jeffrey Michael Clair, Ferris J Ritchey
1Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1212 University Boulevard, 237 Ullman Building, Birmingham, AL 35294-3350, USA. JasonW@uab.edu
Omega
|February 8, 2006
Summary
This study introduces a reliable and valid Attitude Towards Euthanasia (ATE) scale to address measurement gaps in public policy debates. The new scale offers a robust tool for analyzing diverse perspectives on euthanasia.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Medical Sociology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Euthanasia is a long-standing public and policy debate.
- Empirical research on euthanasia attitudes is hindered by a lack of validated measurement scales.
- Previous scales have not fully captured the multifaceted nature of attitudes toward euthanasia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a systematic scale to measure attitudes toward euthanasia (ATE).
- To incorporate previously unspecified dimensions crucial to the euthanasia debate.
- To provide a reliable and valid instrument for empirical research informing policy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic scale design and development.
- Pretesting and validation of the Attitude Towards Euthanasia (ATE) scale.
- Analysis of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and construct external consistency.
Main Results:
- The developed ATE scale demonstrates high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=.871).
- The scale is shown to be reliable and valid through pretest results.
- The scale effectively delineates key factors: active/passive euthanasia, prognosis, pain, patient autonomy, and doctor's authority.
Conclusions:
- The new ATE scale offers a robust and comprehensive instrument for measuring attitudes toward euthanasia.
- This validated scale can improve the analysis of sample variance and inform policy debates.
- The scale's ability to isolate critical dimensions enhances its utility in empirical research.
Keywords:
Death and Euthanasia