Better together: Advancing life course research through multi-cohort analytic approaches

Meredith O'Connor; Elizabeth Spry; George Patton; Margarita Moreno-Betancur; Sarah Arnup; Marnie Downes; Sharon Goldfeld; David Burgner; Craig A Olsson

doi:10.1016/j.alcr.2022.100499

Better together: Advancing life course research through multi-cohort analytic approaches

Adv Life Course Res. 2022 Sep:53:100499. doi: 10.1016/j.alcr.2022.100499. Epub 2022 Jul 18.

Authors

Meredith O'Connor¹, Elizabeth Spry², George Patton³, Margarita Moreno-Betancur³, Sarah Arnup⁴, Marnie Downes⁴, Sharon Goldfeld⁵, David Burgner⁶, Craig A Olsson²

Affiliations

¹ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics, Parkville, Australia. Electronic address: meredith.oconnor@mcri.edu.au.
² Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics, Parkville, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia.
³ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics, Parkville, Australia.
⁴ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.
⁵ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics, Parkville, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Centre for Community Child Health, Parkville, Australia.
⁶ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics, Parkville, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Department of General Medicine, Parkville, Australia; Monash University, Department of Pediatrics, Clayton, Australia.

PMID: 36652217
DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2022.100499

Abstract

Longitudinal cohorts can provide timely and cost-efficient evidence about the best points of health service and preventive interventions over the life course. Working systematically across cohorts has the potential to further exploit these valuable data assets, such as by improving the precision of estimates, enhancing (or appropriately reducing) confidence in the replicability of findings, and investigating interrelated questions within a broader theoretical model. In this conceptual review, we explore the opportunities and challenges presented by multi-cohort approaches in life course research. Specifically, we: 1) describe key motivations for multi-cohort work and the analytic approaches that are commonly used in each case; 2) flag some of the scientific and pragmatic challenges that arise when adopting these approaches; and 3) outline emerging directions for multi-cohort work in life course research. Harnessing their potential while thoughtfully considering limitations of multi-cohort approaches can contribute to the robust and granular evidence base needed to promote health and wellbeing over the life span.

Keywords: Cohort study; Cross-cohort; Data pooling; Life course development; Multi-cohort; Replication; Thematic integration.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Health Promotion*
Humans
Life Change Events*
Mental Processes
Motivation