Momentary predictors of compliance in studies using the experience sampling method.

Area of Science:

• Psychological Methods
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Experience sampling method (ESM) is a diary technique to study momentary experiences.
• The influence of immediate experiences on compliance within ESM protocols remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent to which momentary experiences predict compliance in high-frequency ESM protocols.
• To identify factors influencing participant adherence in longitudinal ESM studies.

Main Methods:

• Lagged analyses were performed on a pooled dataset from seven studies.
• The dataset comprised 1,318 participants (healthy volunteers and individuals with mental health conditions).
• Participants completed 10 beeps daily for 4–6 days using an ESM design.

Main Results:

• Overall compliance was 86% for subsequent beeps.
• Higher positive affect was associated with increased compliance.
• Factors decreasing compliance included feeling disturbed by a beep, being outside, medication use, and longer inter-prompt intervals.
• Compliance decreased in the evenings, over study days, and with consecutive missed beeps.

Conclusions:

• Momentary experiences, such as feeling disturbed or environmental context (e.g., being outside), significantly influence compliance in ESM.
• Positive affect may promote adherence, while negative experiences or contextual factors can hinder it.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing compliance in intensive longitudinal studies.