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News-finds-me perception, substance use misperceptions, and non-medical use of prescribed drug: The moderating role of gender
Date Issued
2025
Citation
Seo, H. Y., Borah, P., Sutherland, A., Lee, K. L., & Austin, E. (4 Nov 2025). News-finds-me perception, substance use misperceptions, and non-medical use of prescribed drug: The moderating role of gender. American Public Health Association (APHA) 2025 Annual Meeting, Washington, D. C., USA.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Background
The inappropriate use of medications prescribed by physicians is complicated by the presence of misinformation and disinformation about substances, shaping attitudes, behaviors and perceptions around the use of substances. In this context, it is important to investigate how information use passivity (e.g., News-finds-me perception) leads to substance misinformation beliefs and actual behaviors. This study examined the associations between "news-finds-me" (NFM) perceptions, substance use misinformation beliefs and non-medical prescribed drug use with a focus on the moderating role of gender.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey, approved by the IRB and conducted via Qualtrics, was conducted from June to August 2023 in the U.S. A total of 1210 participants were collected aged between 18 and 29 years old from a U.S. panel. Demographic and regional quotas were employed based on 2019 U.S. Quality check procedures were used to filter out duplicate respondents, speed responders, and people who reacted in predictable ways or gave illogical answers.
Results
The findings from a moderated mediation model show that participants with higher NFM perceptions tend to have greater substance use misinformation beliefs, which in turn, is associated with increased acceptance of non-medical prescribed drug use. This association is moderated by gender such that the association is true only for males.
Conclusions
This study suggests the broader implications of passive news consumption on substance misinformation belief and non-medical prescribed drug use in case of males, suggesting that targeted intervention are necessary to address gender-specific differences.
The inappropriate use of medications prescribed by physicians is complicated by the presence of misinformation and disinformation about substances, shaping attitudes, behaviors and perceptions around the use of substances. In this context, it is important to investigate how information use passivity (e.g., News-finds-me perception) leads to substance misinformation beliefs and actual behaviors. This study examined the associations between "news-finds-me" (NFM) perceptions, substance use misinformation beliefs and non-medical prescribed drug use with a focus on the moderating role of gender.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey, approved by the IRB and conducted via Qualtrics, was conducted from June to August 2023 in the U.S. A total of 1210 participants were collected aged between 18 and 29 years old from a U.S. panel. Demographic and regional quotas were employed based on 2019 U.S. Quality check procedures were used to filter out duplicate respondents, speed responders, and people who reacted in predictable ways or gave illogical answers.
Results
The findings from a moderated mediation model show that participants with higher NFM perceptions tend to have greater substance use misinformation beliefs, which in turn, is associated with increased acceptance of non-medical prescribed drug use. This association is moderated by gender such that the association is true only for males.
Conclusions
This study suggests the broader implications of passive news consumption on substance misinformation belief and non-medical prescribed drug use in case of males, suggesting that targeted intervention are necessary to address gender-specific differences.
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