Examining missingness at the momentary level in clinical research using ecological momentary assessment: Implications for suicide research
Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: The use of intensive time sampling methods, such as ecological momentary assessment (EMA), has increased in clinical research during the past decade. While EMA can capture intraindividual processes, repeated assessments increase participant burden, potentially resulting in low compliance. The aim of this study was to shed light on study-level and psychological variables that may predict momentary prompt (i.e., prompt-to-prompt) completion. We combined data from three EMA studies examining mental health difficulties (N = 103; 10,656 prompts; 7,144 completed), using multilevel models and machine learning to determine how well we can predict prompt-to-prompt completion, and which variables are most important. The two most important variables in prompt-to-prompt completion were hours since last prompt and time in study. Psychological variables added little predictive validity. Our study demonstrated how study-level characteristics can be used to explain prompt-to-prompt compliance rates in EMA research, highlighting the potential for developing adaptive assessment schedules to improve compliance.
Institution: University of Notre Dame
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4379515740