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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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01-05-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Non-participation may bias the results of a psychiatric survey

An analysis from the survey including magnetic resonance imaging within the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort

Authors: Marianne Haapea, MSc, Jouko Miettunen, PhD, Juha Veijola, MD, PhD, Erika Lauronen, MD, Päivikki Tanskanen, MD, Matti Isohanni, MD, PhD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 5/2007

Abstract

Objective

A major reason for limited validity of research is non-participation. Subjects with severe mental illness tend to cumulate in the group of non-participants, causing selection bias. We tested the hypothesis that severe psychosis is linked to non-participation in a field survey including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, psychiatric interviews and cognitive testing among subjects with psychosis. Furthermore, we wanted to explore other associative factors expected to affect non-participation.

Methods

Members of the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort with a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis (N = 145) were invited to participate in the survey conducted in 1999–2001. Non-participation was determined by refusal or loss of contact. Data were gathered in earlier phases of the follow-up study or using register data.

Results

Ninety-one (63%) subjects attended the study. Compared to participants, non-participants were more often patients with schizophrenia and had more psychiatric hospitalisations, they had more positive psychosis symptoms during their illness course and they were more often on disability pension. Married subjects participated more often than those who were not married.

Conclusion

This study suggests that among subjects with psychosis, particularly those subjects who have the most severe course of illness are less willing to participate. This may lead to biased estimates when studying subjects with severe mental disorders.

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Title: Non-participation may bias the results of a psychiatric survey
An analysis from the survey including magnetic resonance imaging within the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort
Authors: Marianne Haapea, MSc
Jouko Miettunen, PhD
Juha Veijola, MD, PhD
Erika Lauronen, MD
Päivikki Tanskanen, MD
Matti Isohanni, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-05-2007
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 5/2007
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0178-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Non-participation may bias the results of a psychiatric survey

An analysis from the survey including magnetic resonance imaging within the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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