BACKGROUND: High attrition rates in longitudinal research can limit study generalizability, threaten internal validity, and decrease statistical power. Research has demonstrated that there can be significant differences between participants who complete a research study and those who drop out prematurely, and that treatment outcomes may be dependent on retention in a treatment protocol. AIMS: The current paper describes the challenges encountered when implementing a randomized controlled trial of cognitive therapy for the prevention of suicide attempts and the solutions developed to overcome these problems. METHODS: Problems unique to suicide attempters are discussed, and strategies successfully implemented to boost retention rates are provided. RESULTS: The methods implemented appeared to increase retention rates in the randomized controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS: Many steps can be taken to work with this difficult population, and researchers are encouraged to be as involved and flexible with participants as possible.
BACKGROUND: High attrition rates in longitudinal research can limit study generalizability, threaten internal validity, and decrease statistical power. Research has demonstrated that there can be significant differences between participants who complete a research study and those who drop out prematurely, and that treatment outcomes may be dependent on retention in a treatment protocol. AIMS: The current paper describes the challenges encountered when implementing a randomized controlled trial of cognitive therapy for the prevention of suicide attempts and the solutions developed to overcome these problems. METHODS: Problems unique to suicide attempters are discussed, and strategies successfully implemented to boost retention rates are provided. RESULTS: The methods implemented appeared to increase retention rates in the randomized controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS: Many steps can be taken to work with this difficult population, and researchers are encouraged to be as involved and flexible with participants as possible.
Authors: E Guthrie; N Kapur; K Mackway-Jones; C Chew-Graham; J Moorey; E Mendel; F Marino-Francis; S Sanderson; C Turpin; G Boddy; B Tomenson Journal: BMJ Date: 2001-07-21
Authors: Stanley J Huey; Scott W Henggeler; Melisa D Rowland; Colleen A Halliday-Boykins; Phillippe B Cunningham; Susan G Pickrel; James Edwards Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Harmony Rhoades; Joshua A Rusow; David Bond; Amy Lanteigne; Anthony Fulginiti; Jeremy T Goldbach Journal: Child Psychiatry Hum Dev Date: 2018-08