From: Motivations of physicians and nurses to practice voluntary euthanasia: a systematic review
Theoretical domain | Definition | Example applied to the field of euthanasia |
---|---|---|
1. Knowledge | An awareness of information related to a given behavior. | Knowing the criteria for being admissible for euthanasia in countries where it is legalized. |
2. Skills | An ability to perform a certain act. | Having the skills needed to perform voluntary euthanasia. |
3. Social/professional role and identity | How one perceives s/he should act according to his/her social and professional identity. | Perceiving euthanasia as compatible with a caregiver’s role. |
4. Beliefs about capabilities | A perceived capacity to adopt a given behavior. | Perceiving being able to perform voluntary euthanasia. |
5. Beliefs about consequences | Perceived anticipated consequences of adopting the behavior. | Anticipating that euthanasia will have positive consequences for the patient, such as relieving him/her of pain. |
6. Social influences | How one perceives others would react if s/he adopted a given behavior (i.e., approval or disapproval). | Perceiving that the patient’s family would approve if the physician euthanized his/her patient. |
7. Emotions | Feelings arising at the thought of adopting the behavior or following behavioral adoption. | Feeling guilty or being afraid at the thought of performing euthanasia. |
8. Moral norm* | How a given behavior is perceived according to one’s personal and moral values. | Perceiving euthanasia as compatible with one’s personal and moral values. |
9. Past behavior* | Past experience with a given behavior. | Having already performed euthanasia in the past. |