MA Research Paper

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Sociology

Supervisor

Anna Zajacova

Abstract

Chronic pain literature consistently shows differences in the prevalence of chronic pain by race and ethnicity. However, these studies primarily focus on White, African American, and Hispanic respondents. This paper aims to examine differences in pain by race and ethnicity including most major racial categories as well as Asian, Native American, and multiple-race respondents. This study uses data from the 2017 and 2018 National Health Interview Survey (n=33,161). To determine the relationship between race and ethnicity and chronic pain, we conducted multiple nested logistic regression. The analysis found that African Americans [OR= 0.67, p<0.001], Hispanic [OR= 0.61, p<0.001], and Asian [OR= 0.42, p<0.001] respondents have lower odds of pain when compared to White participants while multiracial respondents have higher odds of chronic pain [OR = 1.28, p<0.05]. This study is important for future research as it shows the need for other scholars, as well as policymakers, to focus on expanding racial and ethnic categories commonly studied in chronic pain literature.

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