Using Latent Profile Analysis to Understand Health Practitioners’ Attitudes Toward Voluntary Assisted Dying

Citation

Lizzio-Wilson M, Thomas EF, Louis WR, Crane MF, Kho M, Molenberghs P, Wibisono S, Minto K, Amiot CE, Decety J, Breen LJ, Noonan K, Forbat L & Allen F (2023) Using Latent Profile Analysis to Understand Health Practitioners’ Attitudes Toward Voluntary Assisted Dying. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, p. 003022282211494. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228221149453

Abstract
Prior work has documented considerable diversity among health practitioners regarding their support for voluntary assisted dying (VAD). We examined whether their attitudes are characterised by different combinations of personal support, normative support by other health practitioners, and whether they are predisposed to vicariously experience others’ emotions (i.e., empathy). We also examined whether these profiles experienced different mental health outcomes (i.e., burnout and posttraumatic stress) in relation to VAD. To test this, 104 Australian health practitioners were surveyed after VAD was legalised in Victoria, Australia in 2019. Results indicated that practitioners’ attitudes were characterised by three profiles: 1) strong personal and normative support (strong VAD supporters), 2) moderate personal and normative support (moderate VAD supporters), and 3) lower personal and normative support (apprehensive practitioners). However, each profile reported similar mental health outcomes. Findings suggest that the normative environments in which health practitioners operate may explain their diverse attitudes on VAD.

Keywords
Life-span and Life-course Studies; Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine; Health (social science)

Journal
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying

People

Professor Liz Forbat

Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences