Created variables
FP_PPRELIG. Provides the parent's religiosity, using information from the Parent Questionnaire in round 1. This variable was created by Child Trends as part of the Family Process measures. See the Codebook Supplement Appendix 9 for more information.
Questions about NLSY97 respondents' religious preferences, beliefs, and practices are asked in select survey years. Religion variables about spouse/partners and other household members are also available.
Religious preferences
Respondents provided information (denomination/designation) about their current religious preference in rounds 1, 9, 12, 15 and 18-20 (those who had not been interviewed in round 15 provided information on religion in round 16 or 17). In addition, respondents are asked in each round about their partner's religion as well as the religion of the parent of their children at the time of the pregnancy. In rounds 3-8, respondents also provided the religion of household members. In the round 1 Parent's Questionnaire, the parent being interviewed was asked in what religion the parent was raised and the parent's religion at the time of the interview. Religious preference variables are most readily found by using the phrase "religious preference" in the Word in Title search in NLS Investigator.
Religious beliefs and practices
Questions on religious beliefs and practices were asked of NLSY97 respondents as well as their parent. Table 1 lists the variables and the rounds in which they were asked.
| Question Name | Question | Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| YSAQ-282A | How often respondent attended worship service in past 12 months | Rounds 4-15 and 17-20 |
| YMAR-4200 | How often respondent's partner/spouse attended worship/religious service in past 12 months | Rounds 1-2 |
| P2-015 | How often parent attended church service in past 12 months | Parent Questionnaire |
| P2-051 | How often parent's spouse/partner attended worship service in past 12 months | Parent Questionnaire |
| YPRS-600 | Percent of peers who go to church regularly | Round 1 |
| YSAQ-010 | Number of days per week family does something religious | Rounds 1-4 (if living with family) |
| YSAQ-282A2; P6-011 | True or False: I don't need religion to have good values | Rounds 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18-20; also Parent Questionnaire |
| YSAQ-282A3; P6-015 thru P6-018 | True or False: Religious teachings (Bible, Koran, Torah, etc.) should be obeyed exactly as written in every situation | Rounds 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18-20; also Parent Questionnaire |
| YSAQ-282A4; P6-019 | True or False: I often ask God to help me make decisions | Rounds 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18-20; also Parent Questionnaire |
| YSAQ-282A5; P6-020 | True or False: God has nothing to do with what happens to me personally | Rounds 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18-20; also Parent Questionnaire |
| YSAQ-282A6; P6-021A | True or False: I pray MORE than once a day | Rounds 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18-20; also Parent Questionnaire |
| YSAQ-282A7 | Importance of religious faith in daily life | Round 12, 15, and 18-20 |
| Comparison to Other NLS Surveys | NLSY79 respondents have provided religious preference information in select survey years. The NLSY79 Child-Young Adult dataset includes both religious preference and religious attendance information. The Original Cohort datasets do not contain information related to religion. |
|---|---|
| Survey Instruments | Most questions about religion are found in the Self-Administered section and the Parent Questionnaire section (question names begin with SAQ or P) of the Youth Questionnaire. |
| Main Area of Interest | Attitudes |
| Supplemental Areas of Interest | Parent Background |