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Tracking High-Risk Adolescents Longitudinally

NCJ Number
138873
Journal
AIDS Education and Prevention, Supplement Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 69-82
Author(s)
M Gwadz; M J Rotheram-Borus
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A variety of innovative strategies were used to maintain contact with a group of high-risk (runaway and gay male) adolescents involved in a longitudinal study assessing the effectiveness of an AIDS prevention intervention program. Despite the participants' unstable living conditions, researchers had a retention rate of 88 percent for the runaway subgroup and an average retention rate of 92 percent for the gay male adolescents.
Abstract
A successful longitudinal study begins in the planning and recruitment stages, when the researchers should choose well-run agencies to work with, establish benefits to enhance agency motivation to cooperate, and develop a positive collaboration with the community-based organization from which the sample is drawn. The quantity and quality of information elicited at the time of recruitment is crucial in maintaining contact with the youth, while tracking efforts over time depends largely on a computerized data base. These authors point to the selection, training, and supervision of interviewing staff as the most important element in successful recontacting of youths. Some of the most cost-effective and efficient tracking strategies and methods used in this longitudinal study included private investigators, letters, overnight and certified mail, cash incentives, cash prize lottery, directory assistance, reverse phone book, online databases, a project newsletter, reminders, and a party. Useful information can be obtained from a variety of resources, including child social service agencies, the shelter and group home system, State Department of Corrections, Job Corps, police department, public colleges and universities, and the post office. Researchers can utilize the youths' social networks through families, home visits, siblings, foster families, and friends. Finally, to elicit cooperation from the subjects, the researchers created a supportive, safe, and nonthreatening project environment. 1 table and 6 references.

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