TY - JOUR
T1 - Characteristics of dropouts in longitudinal research on aging
T2 - A study of Mexican Americans and Anglos
AU - Markides, Kyriakos S.
AU - Dickson, Harold D.
AU - Pappas, Charisse
N1 - Funding Information:
The analysis here is based on interviews with older Mexican Americans and Anglos conducted in the summer of 1976 and four years later during the summer of 1980. The original sample of 5 10 was drawn from a four-census tract area of southwest $an Antonio using area probability sampling which involved selection of blocks and subsequently interviews with all persons aged 60 and over residing in the selected blocks. The area is heavily populated by Mexican Americans most of whom are of lower or working class background. The Anglo residents are generally better off with most of working class background. The original subjects were followed-up in 1980 with some help from a current telephone directory and the R.L. Polk City Directory. Where no verification could be made, interviewers were sent directly to the original address. Using the above procedures, we were able to account for 465 or 91.2 percent of the subjects. We were able to complete interviews with 338 people or 66.3 percent of the original sample. Thus, 172 or 33.7 percent of the sample dropped out. The dropouts fall into the following categories: 59 persons were confirmed to have been deceased during the time between the two surveys. Forty-five persons 'Revision of a paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Sociological Association, Dallas, Texas, March, 1981. Partly supported by a contract from the Texas Department of Human Resources. We would like to thank Dianne M. Timbers, Harry Martin and an anonymous reviewer for useful comments on an earlier draft. Reprints may be obtained from the senior author. *From the Division of Sociomedical Sciences, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, U.S.A. 'From the Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. 'From San Antonio. Texas.
PY - 1982
Y1 - 1982
N2 - The characteristics of dropouts in a four-year longitudinal study of Mexican Americans and Anglos aged 60 years and over are investigated. Dropouts are found to be significantly older, to be less healthy, to view themselves as older, and to be less active than persons remaining in the study. Subgroups of dropouts differ from each other; deceased persons and those who could not be located were found to be generally less advantaged than restudied persons, while refusers were found to be advantaged. Implications for longitudinal studies on aging are discussed.
AB - The characteristics of dropouts in a four-year longitudinal study of Mexican Americans and Anglos aged 60 years and over are investigated. Dropouts are found to be significantly older, to be less healthy, to view themselves as older, and to be less active than persons remaining in the study. Subgroups of dropouts differ from each other; deceased persons and those who could not be located were found to be generally less advantaged than restudied persons, while refusers were found to be advantaged. Implications for longitudinal studies on aging are discussed.
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U2 - 10.1080/03610738208260275
DO - 10.1080/03610738208260275
M3 - Article
C2 - 7169075
AN - SCOPUS:0020355930
SN - 0361-073X
VL - 8
SP - 163
EP - 167
JO - Experimental Aging Research
JF - Experimental Aging Research
IS - 3
ER -