Is personality a key predictor of missing study data? An analysis from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: Little is known regarding the effects of psychological factors on data collection in research studies. We examined whether Five Factor Model (FFM) personality factors-Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness-predicted missing data in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: Individuals (N = 415) aged 40 years and older with various chronic conditions, plus basic activity impairment, depressive symptoms, or both, were recruited from a primary care network and enrolled in a 6-week RCT of an illness self-management intervention, delivered by means of home visits or telephone calls or usual care. Random effects logistic regression modeling was used to examine whether FFM factors predicted missing illness management self-efficacy data at any scheduled follow-up (2, 4, and 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months), controlling for disease burden, study arm, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: Across all follow-up points, the missing data rate was 4.5%. Higher levels of Openness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for 1-SD increase = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.46; P <.001), Agreeableness (AOR = 0.29; CI 0.14-0.60; P=.001), and Conscientiousness (AOR = 0.24; CI 0.15-0.50; P <.001) were independently associated with fewer missing data. Accuracy of the missing data prediction model increased when personality variables were added (change in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve from 0.71 to 0.77; chi(2)(1)=6.6; P=.01).

Conclusions: Personality was a powerful predictor of missing study data in this RCT. Assessing personality could inform efforts to enhance data completion and adjust analyses for bias caused by missing data.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00263939.

Figure 1.

Flow of participants through the study. CES-D = 10-item Center for Epidemiologic studies Depression Scale; HAQ = Health Assessment Questionnaire; HIOH = Homing in on Health; NEO-FFI=NEO-Five Factor Inventory.

Figure 2.

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for models with and without personality factors included. FFI = Five Factor Inventory.