Abstracts
Résumé
L’opinion publique est de plus en plus favorable à la pratique de l’euthanasie dans un contexte de maladie incurable et de souffrances, ce qui constitue un argument prisé par les défenseurs de l’euthanasie. Cette étude démontre que la population québécoise y est majoritairement favorable, mais qu’une proportion importante émet des réserves dans d’autres contextes comme lorsque la personne ne souffre pas, lorsqu’il y a espoir de guérison, lorsque le motif de la demande est la souffrance psychologique ou morale, ou lorsque la personne est seulement très âgée. Selon les conditions de vie et de santé proposées, des caractéristiques sociodémographiques différentes semblent liées au fait de changer ou non d’opinion. D’autres études doivent être menées afin de mieux comprendre ce qui caractérise l’opinion de la population québécoise sur l’euthanasie et d’en suivre l’évolution.
Mots clés:
- euthanasie,
- opinion publique,
- espoir de guérison,
- souffrance psychologique,
- personnes âgées
Abstract
Growing public support towards the practice of euthanasia in situations of painful terminal illnesses provides a strong argument widely used by proponents for legalized euthanasia. This study reveals that the majority of Quebec’s population would be in favor of euthanasia for incurable and suffering patients, but showed limited support in other cases such as when the patient is not suffering, when there is hope for recovery, when the main reason is psychological suffering or when a person has simply reached an old age. Different social-demographic characteristics appear associated with changes in opinion depending on the proposed case scenarios. Other studies must be conducted to observe the evolution of public opinion toward euthanasia in Quebec in order to reach a better understanding of this complex issue.
Keywords:
- euthanasia,
- public opinion,
- hope of recovery,
- psychological suffering,
- elders
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Appendices
Bibliographie
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