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Weekly community interviews with high-risk participants: operational issues.
Carol A Schubert1, Edward P Mulvey, Charles W Lidz
1Law and Psychiatry Program, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, USA. schubertca@msx.upmc.edu
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|March 25, 2005
Summary
This study presents a method for conducting longitudinal interviews with hard-to-reach populations, focusing on mental illness and violence risk factors. The approach ensures reliable data collection and participant retention over time.
Area of Science:
- Social Science Research
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Longitudinal interview studies are crucial for social science research.
- Difficult populations, such as individuals with mental illness, present unique challenges in research.
- Previous methods have limitations in participant location, data validity, and retention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel approach for conducting longitudinal interview studies with difficult populations.
- To identify changeable risk factors for violence among high-risk individuals with mental illness.
- To provide guidance for future longitudinal research involving vulnerable groups.
Main Methods:
- Development of a flexible and personalized interview format.
- Careful selection, training, and supervision of research staff.
- Implementation of incentives to maximize participant retention.
Main Results:
- The described approach successfully facilitated weekly interviews over a 6-month period in a community setting.
- The study identified changeable risk factors for violence in the target population.
- The methodology proved effective in maintaining participant engagement and data integrity.
Conclusions:
- The proposed approach effectively addresses challenges in longitudinal studies with difficult populations.
- This methodology can enhance the reliability and validity of data collected from vulnerable groups.
- The findings offer a practical guide for researchers conducting similar studies.