Attitudes towards euthanasia in Iran

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23365467

J Med Ethics. 2013 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Attitudes towards euthanasia in Iran: the role of altruism.

Aghababaei N.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Altruism is arguably the quintessential moral trait, involving willingness to benefit others and unwillingness to harm them. In this study, I explored how altruism and other personality variables relate to acceptance of euthanasia. In addition, I investigated the role of culture in attitudes to subcategorical distinctions of euthanasia.

METHODS:

190 Iranian students completed the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale, the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised, and an interest in religion measure.

RESULTS:

Higher scores on altruism, Honesty-Humility, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and religiousness were associated with viewing euthanasia as unacceptable. As expected, altruism explained unique variance in euthanasia attitude beyond gender, religiosity and broad personality factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cultural and individual differences should be taken into consideration in moral psychology research and end-of-life decision-making.