Understanding changes in community sentiment about drug use during pregnancy using a repeated measures design

Abstract

The first purpose of this study was to examine community sentiment (i.e., participants’ emotional reactions and support for legal responses) regarding drug use during pregnancy-a controversial topic that requires balancing the rights of mothers and unborn children. Specifically, the study measured whether community sentiment is affected by (1) drug type, (2) severity of the baby’s injury, or (3) whether the woman quit drugs during pregnancy. Support for sentences (e.g., prison) and emotional reactions were higher if the baby suffered severe injuries or the mother did not quit using. Generally, participants were most supportive of sentences for methamphetamine users and least supportive of sentences for cigarette and marijuana users. Finally, there was strong community support for requiring doctors to drug test pregnant women and report positive tests to police. The second purpose of this chapter was to demonstrate how community sentiment can be context specific and thus can change based on the specific question asked. Using a repeated measures design, the study is able to capture complex community sentiment.