M. Janus et S. Goldberg, FACTORS INFLUENCING FAMILY PARTICIPATION IN A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY - COMPARISON OF PEDIATRIC AND HEALTHY SAMPLES, Journal of pediatric psychology, 22(2), 1997, pp. 245-262
Compared participation levels in a longitudinal study of parent-child
relationships from infancy to 4 years in families of children with cys
tic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, and with no chronic illness. D
emographic (parent's age, education) and child, parent, and family var
iables (medical status, family environment) were investigated for thei
r predictive value of families' participation. 34% of families (71/209
) were lost to the study at a later date. Families of children with cy
stic fibrosis were the least likely to be lost. Parents' age and/or ed
ucation predicted participation in all groups. Families in both pediat
ric samples participated less when parental well-being was less optima
l, and the level of mother-infant attachment organization was lower. U
nlike demographic factors, family factors have differential impact on
participation in families in pediatric and nonpediatric samples.