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

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 acce pting 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 accep ting of suicide for the elderly infirm, for captured soldiers, as a reasona ble solution, as a normal behavior, agree with non-interference, with the o ption of suicide clinics, and passive suicide.