Stereotyping and the opioid epidemic: A conjoint analysis
Tagart Cain Sobotka1, Sheridan A Stewart1
1Department of Sociology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|May 19, 2020
Summary
Americans may stereotype white individuals as more likely to abuse opioids, particularly if they are unemployed. This perception can create barriers to treatment and influence public policy. Understanding these stereotypes is crucial for equitable public health approaches.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Media and political discourse on the opioid crisis disproportionately focus on white populations.
- It is unclear if this focus has altered public stereotypes regarding opioid abuse demographics.
- Stereotypes about opioid abuse can significantly impact treatment access, policy support, and law enforcement interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how individual characteristics influence perceptions of opioid abuse likelihood.
- To determine if racial stereotypes surrounding opioid abuse have shifted in the United States.
Main Methods:
- A conjoint survey experiment was employed with 3670 participants.
- The study examined the independent effects of race, occupation, gender, age, and region on perceived opioid abuse probability.
Main Results:
- The probability of being identified as likely to abuse opioids was highest for individuals described as white or unemployed.
- This finding suggests a persistent or evolving stereotype linking whiteness and unemployment to opioid abuse.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first systematic, experimental analysis of traits contributing to opioid abuse perceptions.
- Findings highlight the need to address racial and socioeconomic biases in public understanding and response to the opioid crisis.
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