Acceptability of Suicide: Attitudes in Taiwan and in the United States

Abstract

The Suicide Opinion Questionnaire was administered to two samples, one from Taiwan ( n = 291) and one from the United States ( n = 218). Mean scores on the Acceptability scale were significantly higher for the Taiwanese sample, indicating greater acceptance. A chi-square analysis indicated significant response rates for ten of the eleven items, with eight of the eleven items showing greater agreement in the Taiwanese sample. Taiwanese are less accepting of suicide in cases of incurable illness, and agree less that suicide may be the only escape from life's problems. They are, however, more accepting of suicide for the elderly infirm, for captured soldiers, as a reasonable solution, as a normal behavior, agree with non-interference, with the option of suicide clinics, and passive suicide.