What did you Really Earn Last Year?: Explaining Measurement Error in Survey Income Data

Angel, Stefan; Disslbacher, Franziska; Humer, Stefan; Schnetzer, Matthias

doi:10.1111/rssa.12463

Cited by 44 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Finally, a relative importance analysis highlights the magnitude of each explanatory variable's contribution to the overall reporting bias. The empirical strategy employed is based on a recent study by Angel et al [41], who analysed the reporting bias in survey-based income data. All of our analyses are first applied to indicators of mobility and then to indicators of cognition.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reporting biases in self-assessed physical and cognitive health status of older Europeans

Spitzer

Weber

2019

PLoS ONE

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This paper explores which demographic characteristics substantially bias self-reported physical and cognitive health status of older Europeans. The analysis utilises micro-data for 19 European countries from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to compare performance-tested outcomes of mobility and memory with their self-reported equivalents. Relative importance analysis based on multinomial logistic regressions shows that the bias in self-reported health is mostly due to reporting heterogeneities between countries and age groups, whereas gender contributes little to the discrepancy. Concordance of mobility and cognition measures is highly related; however, differences in reporting behaviour due to education and cultural background have a larger impact on self-assessed memory than on self-assessed mobility. Southern as well as Central and Eastern Europeans are much more likely to misreport their physical and cognitive abilities than Northern and Western Europeans. Overall, our results suggest that comparisons of self-reported health between countries and age groups are prone to significant biases, whereas comparisons between genders are credible for most European countries. These findings are crucial given that self-assessed data are often the only information available to researchers and policymakers when asking health-related questions.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reporting biases in self-assessed physical and cognitive health status of older Europeans

Spitzer

Weber

2019

PLoS ONE

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“…A literature review on the determinants of social desirability bias in surveys found income to be a particularly sensitive survey topic due to the social context of the question [26]. Two recent studies comparing differences in self-reported and actual income found strong evidence for social desirability bias in self-reported income, resulting in inflated values [27,28]. We were told by MSU Extension agents that farmers and ranchers were unlikely to provide accurate responses to questions about financial health.…”

Section: Joint Health and Economic Health In Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%

WOMAC score and arthritis diagnosis predict decreased agricultural productivity

Webber

Tran

June

et al. 2021

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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Background Arthritis and joint pain are highly prevalent in agricultural (ag) workers. Many ag operations are sustained by a small number of workers, and the disability of even one worker thus contributes to economic hardship. This study investigated associations between joint health in Montana ag workers and economic well-being and work capacity. Methods This observational mixed-methods study utilized quantitative survey data and qualitative focus group data. 299 ranchers and farmers in 9 Montana counties completed either an online or paper survey that included participant demographics, joint symptoms, history of arthritis and arthritis type, financial status, work capacity, and the need to rely on others to complete one’s work. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC) survey was completed by those with hip or knee pain. Data were entered into REDCap v8.9.2 for analysis with SAS 9.4, using logistic and linear regression models to detect associations between covariables and to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals. Focus groups were held with ranchers in two Montana counties, discussing similar topics, and the themes expressed were identified. Results 87.6% of survey respondents reported joint pain, 47.8% a diagnosis of arthritis, and 22.4% osteoarthritis (OA). A 10-point increase in WOMAC was significantly associated with lower work capacity (OR 2.00; 95% CI [1.58, 2.55], p < 0.01), worse financial condition (OR 1.23; 95% CI [1.01,1.48], p = 0.04), and increased reliance on others (OR 1.82; 95% CI [1.32, 2.55], p < 0.01). An arthritis diagnosis was associated with worsening work capacity (OR 4.66; 95% CI [2.71, 8.01], p < 0.01) and increased odds of relying on others (OR 3.23; 95% CI [1.56, 6.66], p < 0.01). A diagnosis of OA was significantly associated with decreased work capacity (OR 3.47; 95% CI [1.97, 6.11], p < 0.01). Unadjusted for age and BMI, we found a significant association between years spent working in agriculture and joint health, which became non-significant after adjusting for age and BMI. Focus group themes included decreased productivity with increased joint symptoms and a tendency for ranchers to avoid interaction with the health care system. Conclusion Poor joint health is associated with economic risk on Montana ranches and farms.

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“…(21) Two recent studies comparing differences in self-reported and actual income found strong evidence for social desirability bias in self-reported income, resulting in inflated values. (22,23) We were told by MSU Extension agents that farmers and ranchers were unlikely to provide accurate responses to questions about financial health. Therefore, we relied more on the surrogate indicators of reduced work capacity and the need to rely on others to perform work.…”

Section: Discussion Joint Health and Economic Health In Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of joint pain and arthritis on the Montana ranching and farming community

Webber

Tran

June

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Arthritis and joint pain have shown high prevalence rates in agricultural workers and is of concern because many agricultural operations are sustained by a small number of workers. The disability of even one worker may therefore contribute to economic hardship. This study investigated joint health in Montana agricultural workers and its economic effects on ranches and farms. Methods: The aims of this study were to determine associations between years working in agriculture and joint health, and between joint health and the economic health of a ranch or farm. A total of 299 ranchers and farmers in nine Montana counties completed a survey that included an assessment of the economic health of the ranch or farm, work capacity, and the need to rely on others to complete one’s work. Focus groups were then held with ranchers in two Montana counties, discussing similar topics. Results: 87.6% of survey respondents reported joint pain, 47.8% a diagnosis of arthritis, and 22.4% osteoarthritis (OA). Using proportional odds regression analysis, a 10-point increase in the Western Ontario and McMaster University arthritis index (WOMAC) score was significantly associated with lower work capacity (OR 2.00; 95% CI [1.58, 2.55], p<0.01), worse financial condition (OR 1.23; 95% CI [1.01,1.48], p=0.04), and increased reliance on others (OR 1.82; 95% CI [1.32, 2.55], p<0.01). A diagnosis of arthritis was associated with moving to a worse category of work capacity (OR 4.66; 95% CI [2.71, 8.01], p<0.01) and increased odds of relying on others (OR 3.23; 95% CI [1.56, 6.66], p<0.01), compared to those without arthritis. A diagnosis of OA was significantly associated with decreased work capacity (OR 3.47; 95% CI [1.97, 6.11], p<0.01). Adjusting for age and BMI, we found no association between years spent working in agriculture and joint health. Focus group themes included decreased productivity with increased joint symptoms and a tendency for ranchers to avoid interaction with the health care system. Conclusions: This mixed-methods study demonstrated an association between poor joint health and economic risk on Montana ranches and farms.

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What did you Really Earn Last Year?: Explaining Measurement Error in Survey Income Data

Cited by 44 publications

References 43 publications

Reporting biases in self-assessed physical and cognitive health status of older Europeans

Reporting biases in self-assessed physical and cognitive health status of older Europeans

WOMAC score and arthritis diagnosis predict decreased agricultural productivity

The effect of joint pain and arthritis on the Montana ranching and farming community

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