Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Jan 7, 2020
Date Accepted: May 19, 2021
Recruitment and retention: lessons learned from a text messaging trial (MyTeen) for parents of adolescents.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Parenting programs are well established as an effective strategy for enhancing both parenting skills and child well-being. However, recruitment for family programs in clinical and non-clinical settings remains low.
Objective:
The aim of the study is to describe the recruitment and retention methods used in a text messaging program (MyTeen) trial for parents of adolescents (10-15) and identify key lessons learned.
Methods:
A recruitment plan was developed, monitored, and modify as needed throughout the project. Strategies to facilitate recruitment were identified (e.g., program content and recruitment materials, staff characteristics, and study procedures). Traditional and online recruitment strategies were employed.
Results:
Over a 5-month period, 319 parents/caregivers expressed interest in our study, of which 221 participated in our study, exceeding our recruitment target (214 participants). Attrition was low at 1-month (4.5% overall; intervention group: n=5, 4.6%; control group: n=5, 4.5%) and at 3-months follow-up (9% overall; intervention group: n=10, 9.2%; control group: n=10, 8.9%).
Conclusions:
Using multiple strategies was effective for recruiting and retaining parents in a text-messaging program trial. However, we encountered recruitment challenges (i.e. under representation of ethnic groups and fathers) similar to those reported in the literature. Efforts to engage ethnic minorities and fathers are needed. Clinical Trial: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12618000117213)
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