Online Program

334506
Drug users and non-drug users endorse telling the truth to researchers


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Amy Elliott, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Catherine Striley, PhD, MSW, MPE, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Linda Cottler, PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Background: The literature has shown that the self-report of drug users is reliable and valid. However, drug users are still commonly seen as liars. It was hypothesized that drug users and non-drug users would not differ in their reported likelihood to lie to a researcher.

Methods: Participants in the NIDA funded study, Transformative Approach to Reduce Research Disparities Towards Drug Users, were asked questions on how likely they were to lie to a researcher about 11 kinds of sensitive research information. Answers were reported on a scale ranging from 1 (not at all likely) to 5 (very likely). A composite lying score was constructed and the scores of drug users (n=329) and non-drug users (n=285) were compared.

Results: The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test indicated a significant difference in average lying scores between drug users and non-drug users (median= 1 for both groups; p=0.0023). However, two questions included in the composite score assessed likelihood to lie about drug use (frequency of use and type of drug). Because non-drug users have no reason to lie about using drugs, the two questions were removed from analysis. The second Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test indicated no difference in scores between drug users and non-drug users (p=0.1570).

Discussion: Results show that there is no difference between groups in their reported likelihood to lie to a researcher. Drug users can be asked to self-report sensitive information.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the reliability of self-report in relation to individuals who use drugs.

Keyword(s): Drug Abuse, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I an MS student in Epidemiology who works on this study, preparing data for analysis and assisting with dissemination.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.