[Socioeconomic differences between self- and interviewer-classification of color/race]

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Racial and ethnic classifications are crucial for understanding socioeconomic disparities.
• Self-classification versus interviewer classification of race can influence research outcomes.
• Ethnic-racial inequalities in income and socioeconomic status persist globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the consistency between self-reported and interviewer-observed racial classifications.
• To determine how socioeconomic and demographic factors influence racial classification concordance.
• To quantify ethnic-racial inequalities in income and socioeconomic status based on both classification methods.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional population-based study in Southern Brazil (N=3,353, aged ≥20 years).
• Face-to-face interviews using standardized questionnaires.
• Analysis of consistency using kappa statistics; inequality estimation via regression models.

Main Results:

• High reproducibility between self- and interviewer-classified race, but a 'whitening' bias was observed.
• Self-identified brown (pardo) and black individuals were more likely to be classified as white by interviewers.
• Ethnic-racial inequalities in income and socioeconomic status were evident, slightly larger with interviewer classification.

Conclusions:

• Interviewer-based racial classification exhibits a 'whitening' tendency.
• Brown (pardo) and black individuals face socioeconomic disadvantages compared to white individuals.
• The method of racial classification impacts the observed magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities.