Sample selection bias in gerontology research?

In summary, the article discusses a new study that reports that people in their 20s and 30s have the most negative relationships, while those in their 30s and older have the least negative relationships. It is possible that this is due to the fact that older people have had more experience with negative relationships, having been through divorces, deaths, and other negative events.
  • #1
EnumaElish
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A new paper is reported to look at negativity in relationships.

Quote from the Yahoo news story:
Marriage: It's Only Going to Get Worse

Jeanna Bryner
LiveScience Staff Writer
LiveScience.com 2 hours, 31 minutes ago

...

Participants in their 20s and 30s reported having the most negative relationships overall. Older adults had the least negative relationships with spouses, children and friends. Past research by Birditt and others has shown that older adults are more likely to report less conflict in their relationships compared with younger adults.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080205/sc_livescience/marriageitsonlygoingtogetworse

This sounds like the definition of selectivity bias. It is not at all surprising that older people are reporting less negativity with spouses, etc., simply because those with more negativity had a divorce (or lost their friendships) before they got old!
 
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  • #2
EnumaElish said:
A new paper is reported to look at negativity in relationships.

Quote from the Yahoo news story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080205/sc_livescience/marriageitsonlygoingtogetworse

This sounds like the definition of selectivity bias. It is not at all surprising that older people are reporting less negativity with spouses, etc., simply because those with more negativity had a divorce (or lost their friendships) before they got old!

Quite possible. Does the original article say anything about the duration of the marriage? For example, your point would be completely valid if we were talking about 20 and 30 year olds with 0-10 years of marriage and older people with 50 years of marriage under their belts. But, if they were careful to find older couples who had only been married shorter times (i.e., remarriage after divorce from or death of a prior spouse), then this might not be as valid a criticism. But, note it's also not talking about JUST spousal relationships, but those with friends as well.
 
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  • #3
I did not see the original research. You have a good point, which might also apply to friendships, I guess.
 

Related to Sample selection bias in gerontology research?

1. What is sample selection bias in gerontology research?

Sample selection bias refers to the tendency for a sample of participants in a research study to not accurately represent the entire population of interest. This can occur when certain groups of individuals are underrepresented or overrepresented in the sample, leading to results that may not be generalizable to the larger population.

2. How does sample selection bias impact the validity of gerontology research?

Sample selection bias can greatly impact the validity of gerontology research by limiting the generalizability of the findings. If the sample is not representative of the larger population, the results may not accurately reflect the true relationship between variables and may not be applicable to other groups of older adults.

3. What are some common causes of sample selection bias in gerontology research?

Some common causes of sample selection bias in gerontology research include using convenience samples, exclusion criteria that limit the representation of certain groups, and self-selection of participants. Other factors such as geographic location, socio-economic status, and health status can also contribute to sample selection bias.

4. How can researchers address sample selection bias in gerontology research?

To address sample selection bias, researchers can use random sampling techniques to ensure a more representative sample. They can also carefully consider their inclusion and exclusion criteria to avoid excluding certain groups. Additionally, researchers can use multiple sampling methods and compare results to check for consistency and potential biases.

5. What are some potential implications of sample selection bias in gerontology research?

Sample selection bias can have significant implications for the field of gerontology, such as providing inaccurate information about the aging population and potentially leading to ineffective or harmful interventions. It can also perpetuate stereotypes and biases about certain groups of older adults, leading to further marginalization and discrimination.

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