biostudies-literatureUnknown21(12)Vachon HBACKGROUND:Despite the growing interest in the experience sampling method (ESM) as a data collection tool for mental health research, the absence of methodological guidelines related to its use has resulted in a large heterogeneity of designs. Concomitantly, the potential effects of the design on the response behavior of the participants remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the associations between various sample and design characteristics and the compliance and retention rates of studies using ESM in mental health research. METHODS:ESM studies investigating major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorder were considered for inclusion. Besides the compliance and retention rates, a number of sample and design characteriJournal of medical Internet researche14475https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6925392biostudies-literatureCompliance and Retention With the Experience Sampling Method Over the Continuum of Severe Mental Disorders: Meta-Analysis and Recommendations.PMC6925392Vachon HRintala AViechtbauer WMyin-Germeys IfalseCompliance and Retention With the Experience Sampling Method Over the Continuum of Severe Mental Disorders: Meta-Analysis and Recommendations.BACKGROUND:Despite the growing interest in the experience sampling method (ESM) as a data collection tool for mental health research, the absence of methodological guidelines related to its use has resulted in a large heterogeneity of designs. Concomitantly, the potential effects of the design on the response behavior of the participants remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the associations between various sample and design characteristics and the compliance and retention rates of studies using ESM in mental health research. METHODS:ESM studies investigating major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorder were considered for inclusion. Besides the compliance and retention rates, a number of sample and design characteri2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Dec2025-04-18T18:39:22.094Z2020-05-22T07:08:35ZS-EPMC69253923180874810.2196/14475