Community Attitudes Towards Voluntary Assisted Dying: Beyond Endorsed Eligibilities

Area of Science:

• Medical Law
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws are enacted in most Australian states and territories.
• Empirical research on public attitudes towards VAD in Australia is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the multidimensional attitudes of Australian adults towards voluntary assisted dying (VAD).
• To assess affective, behavioural, and cognitive components of VAD attitudes.
• To inform legislative policy and healthcare practices regarding VAD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted.
• 704 Australian adults participated in the study.
• Attitudes were assessed across affective, behavioural, and cognitive dimensions.

Main Results:

• Broad support for VAD was found, but attitudes were conditional.
• Most participants supported VAD for physical illness but opposed it for mental illness or existential suffering.
• Religious affiliation was associated with less favorable attitudes, while female gender and prior experience with VAD/euthanasia correlated with more favorable attitudes.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first large-scale, multidimensional assessment of Australian public attitudes toward VAD.
• Findings highlight conditional public support for VAD, emphasizing the need to consider specific circumstances in policy and practice.
• Results can inform legislative decisions and healthcare provider approaches to VAD.