Study Navigation and Enrollment in a Community Sample: Does Generational Cohort Matter?

The socioecological model (SEM) was used as a conceptual framework to examine the effect of generational cohorts on study navigation and enrollment in health research. The study population was 7,370 community-dwelling Gen Xers and Baby Boomers in North Central Florida. Analyses found that Leading-edge Boomers (individuals born between 1946 and 1955) [vs Gen Xers (individuals born between 1965 and 1955)] and individuals with higher trust (vs lower trust) were 41% and 25% respectively more likely to be enrolled in health research compared to their counterparts, controlling for factors at the individual, relationship, and community levels of the SEM. We conclude the study with a summary of the findings and the recruitment implications for study enrollment.