How to find future ecstasy-users: targeted and snowball sampling in an ethically sensitive context.
Hylke K E Vervaeke, Dirk J Korf, Annemieke Benschop, Wim van den Brink
Addictive Behaviors August 2007 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.11.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective longitudinal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 188 |
| Population | Ecstasy-naive respondents recruited as potential future ecstasy users |
| Duration | 11- to 26-month follow-up |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Of 188 ecstasy-naive respondents at baseline, 160 (85.1%) remained after an 11- to 26-month follow-up, and 65 (40.6%) took ecstasy for the first time during follow-up. The authors report that sampling was constrained by the need to locate potential future ecstasy users meeting strict medical and technical criteria, and that the 'intention to use' criterion proved a clear-cut, practical inclusion rule. |
Abstract
This article documents the design and the sampling procedures of a prospective longitudinal multidisciplinary study on the neurotoxicity of ecstasy (MDMA): the Netherlands XTC Toxicity Study (NeXT). Targeted and snowball sampling was used to recruit 188 respondents who were ecstasy-naive at baseline. All respondents completed baseline questionnaires and underwent medical and neuropsychological examinations. At the end of a 11- to 26- month follow-up period in which they completed four additional questionnaires, 160 respondents remained (85.1%). A total of 65 participants (40.6%) took ecstasy for the first time during the follow-up period. This paper discusses the ethical dilemmas inherent in a study of this type and the specific problems and solutions that emerged in the sampling. The sampling was tightly constrained by our need to locate respondents who were potential future ecstasy users while also meeting strict medical and technical criteria. The 'intention to use' criterion proved to be a clear-cut inclusion rule that was practical to apply in the fieldwork.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Careers in ecstasy use: do ecstasy users cease of their own accord? Implications for intervention development BMC Public Health November 15, 2008
- Decision making as a predictor of first ecstasy use: a prospective study. Psychopharmacology April 2009
- The harmful health effects of recreational ecstasy: a systematic review of observational evidence. Health technology assessment January 2009
- Incidental use of ecstasy: no evidence for harmful effects on cognitive brain function in a prospective fMRI study. Psychopharmacology August 2007
Cites 3
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- “Partying” Hard: Party Style, Motives for and Effects of MDMA Use at Rave Parties Substance Use & Misuse 2005
- Recreational ecstasy use and the neurotoxic potential of MDMA: current status of the controversy and methodological issues Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2006