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<p>Voluntariness refers to the freedom of a&#xa0;decision from undue influence or pressure. It is one component of an autonomous decision for assisted suicide and, therefore, an important factor to consider when assessing requests for assisted suicide. This article examines which factors can potentially impact the voluntariness of such requests.</p><p>Based on the medical ethics literature and empirical studies from related contexts, relatives, individuals providing suicide assistance, and healthcare workers are identified, among others, as key actors who may be relevant in decisions about assisted suicide. Possible forms of interpersonal influence include threats, offers, interpersonal leverage, and persuasion. In addition, structural constraints—such as socioeconomic hardship—can potentially influence voluntariness. When assessing whether requests for assisted suicide are autonomous, the potential presence of such factors should be systematically examined.</p><p>Given the limited availability of empirical data to date, there is an urgent need for further research in this area. This is also essential for the development of guidelines for assessing the voluntariness of requests for assisted suicide.</p>

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Freiwilligkeit bei Anfragen nach Suizidassistenz

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月29日

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  • Esther Braun,
  • Tanja Henking,
  • Christin Hempeler,
  • Jan Schildmann,
  • Jakov Gather

摘要

Voluntariness refers to the freedom of a decision from undue influence or pressure. It is one component of an autonomous decision for assisted suicide and, therefore, an important factor to consider when assessing requests for assisted suicide. This article examines which factors can potentially impact the voluntariness of such requests.

Based on the medical ethics literature and empirical studies from related contexts, relatives, individuals providing suicide assistance, and healthcare workers are identified, among others, as key actors who may be relevant in decisions about assisted suicide. Possible forms of interpersonal influence include threats, offers, interpersonal leverage, and persuasion. In addition, structural constraints—such as socioeconomic hardship—can potentially influence voluntariness. When assessing whether requests for assisted suicide are autonomous, the potential presence of such factors should be systematically examined.

Given the limited availability of empirical data to date, there is an urgent need for further research in this area. This is also essential for the development of guidelines for assessing the voluntariness of requests for assisted suicide.