Influence of Social Identity and Trusted Messengers on Reproductive Health Attitudes

• In Event: Upstream determinants of health and healthcare decision making, featuring a reproductive health perspective

Abstract

Recent studies indicate historically low trust in public health and scientific expertise in the United States, with significant variations across demographic groups (Blendon & Benson 2022). Research shows that individuals with lower trust are more likely to rely on unreliable sources and endorse health-related misinformation (Callaghan et al. 2021; Garett & Young 2021). The Dobbs v. Jackson decision has intensified public focus and misinformation around reproductive health topics, including the safety and efficacy of contraception, IVF, and abortion “reversal” procedures (Washington & Yilma 2024). Despite the critical importance of these issues, little research has explored nuanced public attitudes toward the circumstances surrounding IVF use and reproductive health misinformation, particularly how social identities and trusted messengers influence these beliefs. 

This study aims to fill these gaps by providing a detailed analysis of American perspectives on reproductive health issues and identifying the underlying factors that influence these beliefs. Utilizing a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults, this research assesses how trust and confidence in medical providers, scientists, public figures, and government entities relate to reproductive health beliefs and misinformation acceptance. Additionally, it will evaluate how previous health experiences, social identities (e.g., rural, racial, and political identities), and personal values influence these relationships. We specifically investigate how respondents’ support for IVF varies by scenario and how beliefs about the beginning of life influence opposition to embryo creation. We also examine whether views on IVF insurance coverage—especially for Medicaid recipients—are shaped by economic attitudes and racialized perceptions of deservingness. 

This research seeks to provide needed insights into the dynamics of trust, identity, and misinformation in the context of reproductive health attitudes. By identifying the most effective messengers and message strategies for low-trust groups, these findings can inform public health interventions to combat misinformation and build trust in reproductive health expertise in a polarized and rapidly evolving public health landscape.

Author

• Alee Lockman, Texas A&M University
  Presenting Author