Is personality a key predictor of missing study data? an analysis from a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE Little is known regarding the effects of psychological factors on data collection in research studies. We examined whether Five Factor Model (FFM) per- sonality factors-Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Consci- entiousness-predicted missing data in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS Individuals (N = 415) aged 40 years and older with various chronic conditions, plus basic activity impairment, depressive symptoms, or both, were recruited from a primary care network and enrolled in a 6-week RCT of an illness self-management intervention, delivered by means of home visits or telephone calls or usual care. Random effects logistic regression modeling was used to examine whether FFM factors predicted missing illness management self-effcacy data at any scheduled follow-up (2, 4, and 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months), con- trolling for disease burden, study arm, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Across all follow-up points, the missing data rate was 4.5%. Higher levels of Openness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for 1-SD increase = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.46; P <.001), Agreeableness (AOR= 0.29; CI 0.14-0.60; P =.001), and Conscientiousness (AOR = 0.24; CI 0.15-0.50; P <.001) were independently asso- ciated with fewer missing data. Accuracy of the missing data prediction model increased when personality variables were added (change in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve from 0.71 to 0.77; ²1 = 6.6; P =.01). CONCLUSIONS Personality was a powerful predictor of missing study data in this RCT. Assessing personality could inform efforts to enhance data completion and adjust analyses for bias caused by missing data.