Factors Influencing Family Participation in a Longitutdinal Study: Comparison of Pediatric and Healthy Samples1

Compared participation levels in a longitudinal study of parent-child relationships from infancy to 4 years in families of children with cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, and with no chronic illness. Demographic (parent's age, education) and child, parent, and family variables (medical status, family environment) were investigated for their predictive value of families' participation. 34% of families (71/209) were lost to the study at …