Bioethics, autonomy, and self-determination in patients admitted to a teaching hospital for treatment of substance use disorder

Authors

  • Lucas Franca-Garcia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
  • Fernanda da Rocha Trindade Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
  • Alessandra Mendes Calixto Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
  • José Roberto Goldim Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Keywords:

bioethics, substance use disorder, personal autonomy

Abstract

The aim of this article is to evaluate moral-psychological development, autonomy, and self-determination in patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Moral-psychological development was assessed using a tool to determine individuals’ decision-making ability. Our qualitative approach was based on ethnographic research and participant observation. Fifty per cent of the patients (n = 9) were found to be in the conformist stage, 39 per cent (n = 7) were in the conscientious stage, and 11 per cent (n = 2) were in the autonomous stage, according to Loevinger’s stages of ego development. Our field observations revealed issues of social belonging, symbolic aspects of the treatment, distinction between autonomy and self-determination, and re-signification of the meaning of autonomy. All patients were considered able to make decisions in their best interests, taking into account their stage of moral-psychological development according to Loevinger’s stages. They were also equipped to produce moral arguments to legitimize their actions.

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Published

2017-10-11

How to Cite

Franca-Garcia, L., da Rocha Trindade, F., Mendes Calixto, A., & Goldim, J. R. (2017). Bioethics, autonomy, and self-determination in patients admitted to a teaching hospital for treatment of substance use disorder. Acta Bioethica, 23(2). Retrieved from https://actabioethica.uchile.cl/index.php/AB/article/view/47481

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2017): Bioética: interdisciplinariedad, interculturalidad, interdiscursividad

Section

Interfaces

License

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