The harmonisation of longitudinal data: a case study using data from cohort studies in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom
Abstract
This paper presents a case study of the challenges and requirements associated with harmonising data from two independently-conceived datasets from The Netherlands and the United Kingdom: the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) and the Nottingham Longitudinal Study of Activity and Ageing (NLSAA). The objectives were to create equivalent samples and variables, and to identify the methodological differences that affect the comparability of the samples. Data are available from the two studies' 1992–93 surveys for respondents born during 1908–20, and the common data set had 1,768 records and enabled the creation of 26 harmonised variables in the following domains: demographic composition and personal finances, physical health, mental health and loneliness, contacts with health services, physical activity, religious attendance and pet ownership. The ways in which the methodological differences between the two studies and their different selective attrition might lead to sample differences were carefully considered. It was concluded that the challenges of conducting cross-national comparative research using independent datasets include differences in sampling, study design, measurement instruments, response rates and selective attrition. To reach conclusions from any comparative study about substantive socio-cultural differences, these challenges must first be identified and addressed.
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A range of psychosocial interventions involving diverse study designs have been developed to reduce loneliness and social isolation in vulnerable older adults.
“To date, a range of psychosocial interventions involving diverse study designs have been developed to reduce loneliness and social isolation in vulnerable older adults [33].”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [33]
Follow-up analysis including potential moderators (gender, age, type of loneliness measure) revealed that only gender had a moderating influence on the effect size; studies with more women in the sample showed a smaller reduction in loneliness.
“Furthermore, follow-up analysis that included potential moderators (gender, age, type of loneliness measure) revealed that only gender had a moderating influence on the effect size. Studies with more women in the sample showed a smaller reduction in loneliness.”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [33]
Compared to other interventions, those addressing deficits in social cognition had the largest mean effect (−0.598, 96% CI = −0.96, −0.23).
“Compared to other interventions, those addressing deficits in social cognition had the largest mean effect (−0.598, 96% CI = −0.96, −0.23).”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [33]
Meta-analysis of randomized loneliness-reducing intervention studies revealed a small effect size of −0.198 (96% CI = −0.32, −0.08).
“Meta-analysis of the randomized studies revealed a small effect size (−0.198, 96% CI = −0.32, −0.08).”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [33]
These interventions have attempted to improve social skills, enhance social support, increase opportunities for social interaction, and address maladaptive social cognition.
“With variable success, these interventions have attempted to improve social skills (e.g., through social recreation), enhance social support (e.g., via mentoring, home visits), increase opportunities for social interaction (e.g., telephone outreach, nonverbal communication), and address maladaptive social cognition (e.g., psychological reframing or cognitive behavioral therapy).”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [33]
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Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis
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- Authors
- BATH, P. A., DEEG, D., & POPPELAARS, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- BATH, PETER A.
- Venue
- Ageing and Society
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2010-09-29
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1419-1437
- ISSN
- 0144-686X (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1779
- OpenAlex
- W2115971468
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 5.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Ageing and Society (publishedVersion)
- Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (submittedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Research Data Management Practices
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Data Analysis and Archiving
- Keywords
- data harmonization, cross-national comparison, cohort studies, Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, selective attrition, sample comparability, measurement invariance, aging, older adults, health and well-being, physical activity, loneliness, religious service attendance, pet ownership, sociocultural differences
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