Understanding Participant-Centered Recruitment in Aging Research Through Decision Making

Sep 29, 2026

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Participant samples in aging research often fail to reflect the older-adult population, limiting understanding of disease presentation and the ability to deliver appropriate care. This study examines real-world decision-making among African American adults aged 53–77 regarding participation in the African Americans Fighting Alzheimer’s in Midlife (AA-FAIM) study. Semi-structured interviews compared those who agreed (n=25) versus declined (n=18) and used thematic analysis to identify both positive and negative decision factors, including team interactions, prior research experiences, Alzheimer’s personal experience, study requirements, accessibility, and peer relationships.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study rationale and gap

Participant-centered engagement promise

Study design and methods

Recruitment context (AA-FAIM)

Interview and thematic analysis approach

Key findings from decision-making

Positive and negative factors

Role of accessibility and requirements

Peer relationships and team interactions

814 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2759 UNDERSTANDING PARTICIPANT-CENTERED RECRUITMENT IN AGING RESEARCH THROUGH DECISION MAKING Susan Passmore, Faith Ocoko, Madisin Randolph, Morgan Medina, and Carey Gleason, University of Wisconsin– Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States Despite decades of evidence of the problem, participant samples in aging research often fail to adequately represent the population of older adults. For example, clinical research studies of Alzheimer’s Disease, which disproportionately affects African American and Latine adults, frequently include over-representations of non-Hispanic White participants, limiting our full understanding of disease presentation and our ability to provide appropriate care for patients and caregivers. Authentically participant-centered research engagement offers promise to address this problem. However, few studies have specifically addressed how to create studies that participants, particularly those who are underrepresented currently, find acceptable and accessible. This presentation will include findings from a study of the real-world decision-making processes for African American adults (aged 53-77 years old) who had recently decided on their willingness to participate in the African Americans Fighting Alzheimer’s in Midlife (AA-FAIM) study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with those who eventually agreed to participate in AA-FAIM (n=25) and those who declined participation (n = 18) . Interviews were recorded and transcribed to facilitate a thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke. Findings reveal both positive and negative factors weighed in decision-making, including study team interactions, past experiences in research, personal experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease, study requirements, and accessibility. Participants also offered that relationships with other study participants, a factor not reported in similar studies, figured into decision-making for many of those we interviewed.

FAQs

Why is participant recruitment challenging in aging research?

Despite strong evidence of the problem, participant samples often do not adequately represent older adults. This can cause over-representation of certain groups and limits understanding and care.

Who participated in the AA-FAIM decision-making study?

The study focused on African American adults aged 53–77. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with those who agreed to participate (n=25) and those who declined (n=18).

What factors influenced participants’ decisions?

Decisions reflected both positive and negative factors, including study team interactions, prior research experiences, personal experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, study requirements, and accessibility.

How did peer relationships affect recruitment decisions?

Participants reported that relationships with other study participants influenced decision-making for many interviewees, a factor not emphasized in similar studies.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Aurelia