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National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Child and Young Adult (NLSCYA)
NLSY97
NLSY79
NLSCYA
NLSW
NLSM

Asterisk Tables

Choose a sub-cohort below to view tables summarizing selected variables from the NLSY79 Child and Young Adult surveys. The tables list individual items or groups of related items with asterisks in the year columns indicating the survey years in which the variable(s) are available. Both survey questions and created variables are included. "R" used in variable descriptions stands for "respondent" and refers specifically to the child or young adult respondent, not the mother.

Consult the NLSY79 Child and Young Adult Questionnaires in the Other Documentation section for exact question wording in each survey round.

NLSY79 Child Variables by Survey Year: Birth through Age 14

The selected variables for the NLSY79 Children asterisk tables are grouped into two main categories:

  1. Child Supplement and Mother Supplement
  2. Child Self-Administered Supplement (10 to 14 years old)

Important information: Viewing asterisk tables

  • Click a topic below to expand and collapse the corresponding asterisk table.
  • Scroll right to view additional table columns or click the link at the bottom of the table to open in a new window.

I. Child Supplement and Mother Supplement

Table 1. NLSY79 Child: Background variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Child's date of birth * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child's age * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Date of child interview * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Date mother supplement completed * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Relationship of person completing supplement to child * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child currently attending or enrolled in regular school (or preschool) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child ever attended regular school or preschool * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Current or last school attended Note A.1   *   * *                        
Current or last grade attended * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Head Start program information   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

Note A.1: Child's school information collected in mother's main Youth questionnaire.

Table 2. NLSY79 Child: Health variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Asthma                   * * * * * *    
Child's eye and hair color *                                
Place of child's birth     * *                          
Does health limit school or play * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Any physical, emotional, or mental condition requiring: frequent treatment, medicine, or special equipment * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Type and duration of health conditions * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Accidents and injuries needing medical attention in last 12 months; details * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Accidents and injuries needing since last interview or since birth; details   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Number of illnesses requiring medical attention or treatment * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Date of last routine health checkup * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sex of child * * * *         * * * * * * * * *
Menstrual period information * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Right- or left-handedness           * * * * * * * * * * *  
Date of last dental checkup or dental work * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Source of health insurance, if any * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Behavioral, emotional, or mental problems; did insurance cover doctor visit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Any medicines or prescription drugs taken to help control activity or behavior * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Height and body weight of child * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Asthma symptoms; frequency; limit activities (also see Section 9, Main Youth Quex for mother report on all children under age 15)                   * * * * * *    

See table 4 in the Introduction to the Assessments section for age restrictions.

Table 3. NLSY79 Child: Assessments variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Parts of the Body: number of body parts child can identify by common names * *                              
Memory for Locations: how long child remembers the location of the doll * *                              
Verbal Memory test: ability to remember and repeat word sequences * * * * *                        
SPPC: what child thinks he or she is like, how he or she thinks and feels * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Memory for Digit Span test (WISC-R): memory for number order * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
PIAT Math subtest * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
PIAT Reading: Recognition and Comprehension subtests * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT): vocabulary * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
HOME inventory (in 2000: ages 0 to 3 in Child Supplement, others in Mother Supplement; after 2000: all items but Observations in Mother Supplement) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Temperament Scales (in 2000: ages 0 to 3 in Child Supplement, others in Mother Supplement; after 2000: entirely in CAPI Mother Supplement) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Motor and Social Development Scale (not admin. 2004) * * * * * * * * *   * * * * * *  
Behavior Problems Index * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Interviewer evaluation of testing conditions * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

See also the Child Self-Administered Supplement section for self-reported school information.

Table 4. NLSY79 Child: Schooling variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Time spent on homework, reading for fun           * * * * * * * * * *    
Style of teaching in English or Language Arts classes           * * * * * * * * * *    
Parent involvement in child's schooling (19 items) (age 5 or older)           * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 5. NLSY79 Child: School and family background variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Type of school child attends   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Reason child not attending school   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Grades child has repeated   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Reason child last repeated a grade   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Has child had behavior problems at school; grade this first happened   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Number of different schools child has attended           * * * * * * * * * *    
Time child spends on homework each week           * * * * * * * * * * * *
Extent of parent involvement in school           * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child ever suspended or expelled from school; grade this first happened   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Parent ranking of child in class   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does child get remedial help in school   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does child attend advanced classes   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Parent rating of child's school (series)       * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Parent perception of child's probable educational attainment     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Parent perception of difficulty in raising child       * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Parent rating of aspects of child's life (series): Health, friendships, relationship with mother, feelings about self, future prospects, relationships with siblings       * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Number of child's friends the parent knows     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
How often parent knows who child is with when the child is not at home       * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Frequency of child's attendance at religious services in the past year     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Importance parent puts on child's religious training     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Home observations: Interviewer observations of home environment * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

II. Child Self-Administered Supplement (10 to 14 years old)

Table 6. NLSY79 Child: Home variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
In last month, has child gone with parent(s) to: Movies, shopping, outing, church   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
In last week, has child done the following with parent(s): Crafts, schoolwork, games together   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child help around house   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Any rules about: Homework, TV, whereabouts, dating, parties   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How much say does child have in making rules   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How often does child argue with parent(s) about the rules   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How often each parent talks over decisions, listens to child's side   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Who usually decides about: Buying clothes, spending money, friends, curfew, allowance, TV, religious training   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 7. NLSY79 Child: Parents variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
How often each parent knows who child is with when child is not home       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child think parents spend enough time with him or her       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How often each parent misses events or activities important to child       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How close child feels to each parent       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How well child and each parent share ideas and talk about things that matter       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
In dealing with child, how often child and mother or father agree with each other       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child live with biological father, stepfather, or neither         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Do biological parents (and mother and stepfather, if applicable) get along, agree about rules, argue         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child feel caught in middle; can child talk to each parent about the other         * * * * * * * * * * *    
What child tells parent about activities (TV and movies watched, whereabouts, teachers, and so forth)           * * * * * * * * * *    
How often child feels (series): Sad, happy, nervous, bored, lonely, tired, excited, too busy, pressured       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Has child been away from mother or father for at least 2 months, except summer camp   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Where, how old was child the last time away from mother or father   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 8. NLSY79 Child: School and activities variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Current grade attending   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Characteristics of child's school (8 items)   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Level of satisfaction with school   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Usual activities between school and dinner   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
If child goes home after school, is an adult usually present   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Level of schooling child anticipates completing   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Is child member of any clubs, teams, or school activities in/out of school   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Perceptions of attitudes about boys and girls (six items)         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Usual activities in summer       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child feel safe in neighborhood       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Usual time watching TV on weekdays and on weekends     * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Usual time playing video games on weekdays and on weekends                     * * * * *    
Number of times in last year child engaged in a series of criminal or delinquent acts   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Employment was interviewer-administered in the Child Supplement after 2000.

Table 9. NLSY79 Child: Employment variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Work for pay (babysitting, paper route, yard work, etc.) ,excluding chores around home; type of work   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Usual frequency with which child works; hours worked in usual week in last 3 months   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Money earned in a usual week   * * * * * * * *   * * * * *    
Work expectations at age 35 (14 year olds only)                   * * * * * *    

Table 10. NLSY79 Child: Religion variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Present religion, attendance at religious services in past year   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child attend services with or without parents   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Do friends attend services; if so, do they attend services at the same place   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 11. NLSY79 Child: Friendships and peers variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Number of close friends of each sex   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How much child tells own parents about friends and friends' parents             * * * * * * * * *    
Are close friends in the same or a different grade or not in school   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How often child is lonely, wants more friends   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does child feel pressure from friends to (series): Smoke, work hard in school, try drugs, drink alcohol, skip school, or commit a crime or do something violent       * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Risk-taking behaviors and attitudes (six items)         * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 12. NLSY79 Child: Substance use variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Cigarette use; age first smoked; frequency   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Alcohol use (more than a sip or two); age at which child first drank; frequency   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Marijuana use; age at which child first used; frequency   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Use of substances (like glue, gas, sprays, fluids) that are "sniffed/huffed"; age at which child first used; frequency         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Other drug use (LSD, cocaine, uppers, downers); age at which child first used; frequency (age at first use/frequency dropped 2004 on)   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 13. NLSY79 Child: Dating and relationships variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Age at which child had first date or went out alone with someone of opposite sex   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
How often child usually has a date; is it usually the same person   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Best age and youngest age child can imagine for getting married, having first child   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 14. NLSY79 Child: Sex education variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Any courses or time spent in class on sex education; grade, month and year   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Whom in family child talks to about sex   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
When during the menstrual cycle pregnancy is most likely to occur   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 15. NLSY79 Child: Computer use variables by year

Variable

 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Does child have a computer at home         * * * * * * * * * * *    
What child uses computer for most often         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Ever used computer at school         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Where and from whom has child learned most about computers         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Ever had a class or other training, in school or elsewhere, on: Computer use, programming, or word processing         * * * * * * * * * * *    
How often child uses computer to do homework, play games, use e-mail, and so forth         * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 16. NLSY79 Child: Volunteer activities by year

Variable

 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18
Do volunteer work after school?         * * * * * * * * * * *    
Ever done any volunteer/community work sponsored by school?                   * * * * * *    
Ever done any volunteer/community work not related to school?                   * * * * * *    
Was volunteer/community work required for class or school?                   * * * * * *    
Was volunteer/community work required or sponsored by church?                   * * * * * *    
What volunteer/community organizations were you involved in?                   * * * * * *