The 3D-Transition Study: Objectives, Methods, and Implementation of an Innovative Planned Missing Data Design

Am J Epidemiol. 2021 May 12:kwab141. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwab141. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe prevalence of mental health problems represents a significant burden on school and community health resources as early as preschool. Reducing this burden requires a better understanding of the developmental mechanisms linking children's early vulnerabilities with mental health after the transition to formal schooling. The 3D-Transition study (2017-2021; ClinicalTrials.org ID: NCT04873518) follows 939 participants from a pregnancy cohort in Québec (Canada) as they transition to kindergarten and first grade to examine these mechanisms. Biannual assessments include questionnaires from two parents as well as teachers, parent-child observations, anthropometric measurements, and age-sensitive cognitive assessments. Salivary cortisol is also collected on 11 days over a 16-month period in a subsample of 384 participants to examine possible changes in child salivary cortisol levels across the school transition, and their role in difficulties observed during the transition. A combination of planned missing data designs is implemented to reduce participant burden, where incomplete data is collected without introducing bias after the use of multiple imputation. The 3D-Transition study will contribute to an evidence-based developmental framework of child mental health from pregnancy to school age. In turn, this framework can help inform prevention programs delivered in health care settings du...
Source: Am J Epidemiol - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Source Type: research