title: The effects of two different incentives on recruitment rates of families into a prevention program.
abstract: This study experimentally manipulated two incentives for participation (monetary: paid participation for sessions and setting: group vs. individual) in a child behavior problem prevention program to analyze their effects on recruitment and retention of families. A population of 690 eligible families from 15 preschools located in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods was invited to participate in a parent training (PT) program. The study recruited parents by using advertisements that had information describing only the indicated condition (i.e., PT in group-unpaid, or PT individual-unpaid, or PT in group-paid, or PT individual-paid). Results demonstrate significant impact of payment on recruitment and initial attendance. Training setting alone (individual or group) did not significantly influence these rates. Editors' Strategic Implications: A compelling case is made for the utility of monetary incentives to increase proportions of low-income families in prevention research and programs. Evaluators and program designers should note the impressive use of the experimental design and hierarchical linear modeling to test the effects on recruitment.
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany. n.heinrichs@tu-bs.de
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heinrichs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003256:Community Participation / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005378:Financial Support; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D016730:Program Development / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D040241:Social Marketing; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*