{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]],"date-time":"2025-11-05T14:30:38Z","timestamp":1762353038186,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]],"date-time":"2025-11-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1762300800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["EJIHPE"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Since the enactment of Belgium\u2019s euthanasia law in 2002, clinical psychologists have played an increasingly significant role in the multidisciplinary approach to euthanasia, particularly regarding cases involving unbearable mental suffering (UMS euthanasia). This cross-sectional study examined the attitudes, roles, and competencies of clinical psychologists in Flanders concerning UMS euthanasia using an online questionnaire (n = 242). The survey explored attitudes towards UMS euthanasia, as well as self-perceived competencies and involvement. Results indicate that most psychologists hold a generally positive stance towards UMS euthanasia and believe in supporting patient requests under appropriate conditions. Their roles are seen as essential in decision-making, exploring alternatives, and providing aftercare for families, though opinions vary about their involvement during the actual procedure. Demographic factors such as age, gender, work setting, and prior involvement in euthanasia showed no significant influence on attitudes; however, greater knowledge and skills were reported among those in specialized settings, palliative care, or with prior euthanasia involvement. A pronounced lack of training and education in this area was reported, highlighting the need for targeted measures. The findings underscore the necessity of clarifying psychologists\u2019 roles, expanding legal guidelines, and improving training to enhance care quality in the context of UMS euthanasia.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ejihpe15110228","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]],"date-time":"2025-11-05T13:19:29Z","timestamp":1762348769000},"page":"228","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Attitudes, Roles, and Competencies of Clinical Psychologists Regarding Euthanasia Due to Unbearable Mental Suffering"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6667-4855","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dennis","family":"Demedts","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Wouter","family":"Drijkoningen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8371-4612","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Johan","family":"Bilsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"26323524251318044","DOI":"10.1177\/26323524251318044","article-title":"Key challenges in providing assisted dying in Belgium: A qualitative analysis of health professionals\u2019 experiences","volume":"19","author":"Archer","year":"2025","journal-title":"Palliative Care and Social Practice"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1080\/15265161.2019.1665402","article-title":"Principles of biomedical ethics: Marking its fortieth anniversary","volume":"19","author":"Beauchamp","year":"2019","journal-title":"The American Journal of Bioethics"},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Belgian Ministry of Justice (2002). 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