Citation

Gilmore D, Kuperminc GP. Am. J. Eval. 2014; 35(4): 467-484.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1098214014523822

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Longitudinal substance abuse research has often been compromised by high rates of attrition, thought to be the result of the lifestyle that often accompanies addiction. Several studies have used strategies including collection of locator information at the baseline assessment, verification of the information, and interim contacts prior to completing the follow-up to minimize attrition, however it is unclear whether these strategies are equally effective for participants struggling with varying levels of housing stability, support for sobriety, and substance abuse severity. The current study extends research supporting the effectiveness of follow-up strategies with a focus on locator form completion and continual verification contacts.

RESULTS indicated that each additional piece of locator form information and verification contact significantly and independently increased the odds for completing a follow-up interview, and that these effects were not moderated by participant characteristics. Practical and theoretical implications for longitudinal substance abuse research are discussed.

Language: en