Who Are the Elderly Who Want to End Their Lives?

Abstract

The decision to proceed with rational suicide, euthanasia or PAS in older people is complex and there are often several interacting factors why this might arise. The statistics on the occurrence of this is presently unclear but likely to increase with ageing populations across most countries. There are variations in legislation which might affect how this area is studied and described. 'Weariness of life' is becoming a common reason for older people requesting euthanasia/PAS and when this is coupled with declining health, impaired functioning, and dependency, an older person may perceive being a burden on others. When depression is present, it results in cognitive distortions and heightens this perception of burdensomeness. Studies of marital status and gender are inconsistent, but support for euthanasia/PAS is generally more common in men who often have a smaller social network than women. An older person with a dismissive attachment style tends to avoid relationships and this can further increase the risk of social disconnectedness; whereas religiosity is a protective factor of euthanasia/PAS and also in promoting social connectedness. Lastly, an educated older person with an unconventional view of the world is more nicely to consider the choice of euthanasia/PAS when he/she is experiencing thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Additionally, threats to one's independence and sense of self-control are reasons why an individual may consider an earlier demise. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)