Sample: This was a secondary data analysis for a study examining correlates of recovery after major abdominal surgery conducted from 1997-2000. The sample consisted of 192 patients, 102 females and 90 males, aged 60 years and older.

Method: Data were collected during hospitalization, and then by telephone three to five days, one month and three months following discharge. Depression, fatigue, pain and functional status were measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale Short-Form (Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986), Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist (Yoshitake, 1971; Pugh, 1993), Brief Pain Inventory (Daut, Cleeland & Flanery, 1983) and Enforced Social Dependency Scale (Benoliel, McCorkle & Young, 1980). Self-perception of recovery was measured with a single question.

Results: Logistic regression analysis with the initial pain, fatigue, depression and self-perception of recovery measurements indicated those completing the study were significantly different from dropouts. Statistically significant logistic coefficients indicated dropouts scored higher in depressive symptoms and had lower recovery ratings. Participant attrition affected means, variances and relationships among the variables.

Conclusions: The impact of pain, fatigue, depression and perception of recovery on subsequent participation may underestimate the magnitude of relationships among these variables.

Implications: A multivariate approach should be used to examine attrition effects by assessing the presence of non-random sampling in longitudinal studies. Such an approach facilitates more accurate interpretation of findings.

Back to Method Testing
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004