Attitudes of university students towards euthanasia.
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Date
2008
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Abstract
Euthanasia has emerged as one of the leading ethical and moral issues of our time. This
practice has been debated ever since ancient times. Medical and religious organizations
are the front runners of this debate. At present, people of all classes have joined in and
euthanasia movements have increased. Arguments in favour of euthanasia focus on the
principles of self-determination and autonomy. The opponents on the other hand stress
the danger of abuse of the practice and benefits of palliative care.
The objective of this study was to explore the attitudes of university students towards the
practice of euthanasia. The sample comprised three-hundred and ninety-two students
from the faculties of Theology (100), Human Sciences (96), Law (99) and Medicine (99).
Convenience sampling method was used to select the sample. Four different scales were
used to collect data. MANOVA was used to analyze data.
The results of this study showed that age and gender were not associated with the
students' attitudes towards euthanasia, experiences with regards to end-of-life situations,
level of religious beliefs and beliefs in autonomy. The students' year of study was also
not associated with their attitudes towards euthanasia, level of religious beliefs as well as
beliefs in autonomy. However, the findings showed that senior students had more
experiences with regards to end-of-life situations, followed by post graduate while first-
year students had the least experiences. Faculty was found to be associated with attitudes
towards euthanasia, experiences with end-of-life situations as well as level of religious
beliefs. Theology followed by Medical students showed the most positive attitudes
towards euthanasia. Human sciences had the least positive attitudes towards euthanasia.
Theology students had more experiences with regard to end-of-life situations while
Human sciences showed the least experiences. Theology students were the most religious
of the groups while Human sciences were the least. Medical students had the highest
autonomy more than Human sciences students.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.
Keywords
Euthanasia--Moral and ethical aspects., Euthanasia--KwaZulu-Natal--Public opinion., Students--South Africa., Students--KwaZulu-Natal--Attitudes., Theses--Psychology.