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Asking about Sexual Identity on the National Health Interview Survey: Does Mode Matter?

Author

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  • Dahlhamer James M.
  • Galinsky Adena M.

    (National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics, Hyattsville, Mayland, U.S.A.)

  • Joestl Sarah S.

    (RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.)

Abstract

Privacy, achieved through self-administered modes of interviewing, has long been assumed to be a necessary prerequisite for obtaining unbiased responses to sexual identity questions due to their potentially sensitive nature. This study uses data collected as part of a split-ballot field test embedded in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to examine the association between survey mode (computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) versus audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI)) and sexual minority identity reporting. Bivariate and multivariate quantitative analyses tested for differences in sexual minority identity reporting and non-response by survey mode, as well as for moderation of such differences by sociodemographic characteristics and interviewing environment. No significant main effects of interview mode on sexual minority identity reporting or nonresponse were found. Two significant mode effects emerged in subgroup analyses of sexual minority status out of 35 comparisons, and one significant mode effect emerged in subgroup analyses of item nonresponse. We conclude that asking the NHIS sexual identity question using CAPI does not result in estimates that differ systematically and meaningfully from those produced using ACASI.

Suggested Citation

  • Dahlhamer James M. & Galinsky Adena M. & Joestl Sarah S., 2019. "Asking about Sexual Identity on the National Health Interview Survey: Does Mode Matter?," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 35(4), pages 807-833, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:offsta:v:35:y:2019:i:4:p:807-833:n:6
    DOI: 10.2478/jos-2019-0034
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nick Drydakis, 2019. "Sexual orientation and labor market outcomes," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 111-111, July.
    2. Jaya & Hindin, M.J. & Ahmed, S., 2008. "Differences in young people's reports of sexual behaviors according to interview methodology: A randomized trial in India," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(1), pages 169-174.
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