Adolescent Survey Non-Response and Risk of Death
Author Information
Author(s): Ville Mattila, Jari Parkkari, Arja Rimpelä
Primary Institution: University of Tampere
Hypothesis
Are adolescent survey non-respondents at a higher risk of death compared to respondents?
Conclusion
Adolescent non-respondents have significantly higher rates of death, particularly from disease and violence-related causes.
Supporting Evidence
- Non-respondents had a higher risk of death from intoxication (HR 3.2).
- The risk of death from disease was also significantly higher among non-respondents (HR 3.1).
- The association between non-response and death persisted beyond the age of 25.
Takeaway
If teenagers don't answer health surveys, they might be more likely to get hurt or sick later on.
Methodology
The study linked survey data from adolescents aged 12-18 with national death registry data over an 11-year follow-up.
Potential Biases
Non-respondents may have poorer health behaviors and socio-economic backgrounds.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing non-response and death risk.
Participant Demographics
Finnish adolescents aged 12-18, with a response rate of 79.6% (lower in males and older age groups).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.46
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.5–2.6
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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