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Investigating people’s lifetime history of suicide attempts: a roadmap for studying interviewer-related error

Author

Listed:
  • Merijn Eikelenboom

    (Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit)

  • Melany Horsfall

    (Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit)

  • Stasja Draisma

    (Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit
    Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute))

  • Jan H Smit

    (Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit)

Abstract

It is critically important to correctly identify persons with a lifetime history (LTH) of suicide attempts (SA) from both a clinical and research perspective. Face-to-face interviews are often the best available method for researchers to collect data about a complex phenomenon like a LTH of SA. However, extensive survey methodology research has shown that probing sensitive topics like a LTH of SA are sensitive for interviewer-related errors or interviewer effects. Studies investigating these interviewer effects are scarce in the field of suicide studies. This study presents a possible roadmap for study of interviewerrelated measurement error and an exploration of role-dependent behaviour of interviewers by assessing the LTH of SA through an epidemiological design. Data from the baseline assessment of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (N = 2981) was used to illustrate the proposed roadmap to study interviewer effects. Results show: : (1) that it was possible to identify the existence of interviewer effects in assessing a LTH of SA; (2) that interviewer effects occurred by probing and clarification activities of the interviewer but not with inadequate formulation of the original question and so give a possible explanation for these effects; and (3) that it was possible to study the impact of these effects on the association between a well-known risk factor and LTH of SA. Applying the Measurement Error framework for systematically examining errors in data collection on suicidality seems a promising method.

Suggested Citation

  • Merijn Eikelenboom & Melany Horsfall & Stasja Draisma & Jan H Smit, 2023. "Investigating people’s lifetime history of suicide attempts: a roadmap for studying interviewer-related error," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 3183-3197, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:57:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11135-022-01432-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-022-01432-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wil Dijkstra & Yfke Ongena, 2006. "Question-Answer Sequences in Survey-Interviews," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 40(6), pages 983-1011, December.
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    3. Karen Bell & Eldin Fahmy & David Gordon, 2016. "Quantitative conversations: the importance of developing rapport in standardised interviewing," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 50(1), pages 193-212, January.
    4. Wil Dijkstra, 1983. "How interviewer variance can bias the results of research on interviewer effects," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 179-187, June.
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