Aim: Limited research has explored factors influencing participants' decisions to consent to and complete hair sample collection. This study examined the relationships of sociodemographics, perceived stress and coping with hair sample collection among children aged 3-5 years and parents.Research design & methods: Data were analyzed from 188 parent-child dyads. Among these, 78% of parents provided consent to hair sample collection. Hair samples were collected from 81% children and 68% parents.Results: Parents who provided consent reported higher levels of stress and used more avoidant coping strategies compared with those who did not. Parents who provided a hair sample engaged in less problem-focused coping. Children who were girls, non-Hispanic and White had higher odds of completing hair sample collection. Additionally, children were more likely to complete hair sample collection if their parents were married, employed full-time, or had an annual family income of ≥$20,000. Pregnant women and full-time employed parents also had higher odds of completing hair sample collection.Conclusion: The study identified important sociodemographic factors that may influence hair sample collection in research. To improve participation, tailored approaches such as at-home self-collection, sensitive hair cutting approaches to maintain participants' hair style, and addressing participants' unique barriers are recommended.
Keywords: child; coping; family; hair collection; sociodemographic factors; stress.
This study looked at what influences parents and young children to agree to and complete hair sample collection in research. Hair samples can help measure many biomarkers, but not everyone is willing or able to provide them. We included 188 parent-child pairs in our research, and most parents (78%) agreed to hair sample collection. Samples were successfully collected from 81% of the children and 68% of the parents. We found that parents who felt more stressed and used avoidant coping strategies were more likely to agree to hair sample collection. However, parents who actually provided a sample tended to use fewer problem-solving coping strategies. Children were more likely to complete hair sample collection if they were girls, non-Hispanic, White and if their parents were married, had full-time jobs, or had a family income of $20,000 or more. Pregnant women and full-time employed parents were also more likely to complete the process. This research highlights the factors that may affect participation in hair sample collection. To encourage more people to participate, researchers could offer options like collecting samples at home, using gentle methods to preserve hairstyles, and addressing specific concerns that participants may have.