Death expectancies in alcoholic and nonalcoholic persons

The Do-It-Yourself Death Certificate (DIYDC) was administered to a group of alcoholic inpatients (N = 39) and to a group of university employees (N = 39). The groups were matched on age, sex, and race. Both alcoholics and nonalcoholics projected unrealistic expectations about their deaths when compared with actuarial cause of death data, but this was somewhat more true of those in the alcoholic group, who expected to live longer than would be expected and who only infrequently attributed their deaths to drinking. Strong preferences were expressed for a quick death, and some differences were observed between the groups with regard to seasonal expectations of time of death and attitudes toward life-prolonging techniques. The DIYDC appears to be a useful adjunct to existing methods of death research, and it may have practical applications with some clinical groups, provided that certain ethical considerations are observed.