The Add Health Parent Study, 2015-2017

Abstract

The Add Health Parent Study or Parents (2015-2017), gathered social, behavioral, and health survey data in 2015-2017 on a probability sample of the parents of Add Health sample members who were originally interviewed at Wave I (1994-1995). Data for 966 Wave I Parents, ranging in age from 50-80 years and representing 988 Add Health sample members, are available in the Public-Use sample. Parents eligible for participation in this study were the biological parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent of an Add Health respondent at Wave I; not deceased or incarcerated at the time of Parents (2015-2017) sampling; and had at least one Add Health child who was also not deceased at the time of Parents (2015-2017) sampling. Spouse/Partner Interviews The Add Health Parent Study interview also gathered survey data on the current co-habiting Spouse or Partner of eligible parents who completed the interview. Four hundred eight-six (486) current Spouse/or Partner interviews are available in the Public-Use sample. Financial Respondent During the Wave I Parent interview, Wave I Parents who indicated having a Spouse or Partner were asked to identify whether they or their Spouse or Partner was most knowledgeable about household assets, debts and retirement planning. The person identified was flagged by the survey as the Financial Respondent. Only the Financial Respondent was asked to complete a more detailed set of questions on these topics. Family Health History A paper Family Health History (FHH) leave-behind questionnaire was given to each respondent (Wave I Parent and Spouse or Partner) at the end of the interview together with a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Health Histories for biological parents, siblings, aunts or uncles and grandparents are included in this FHH questionnaire. A total of 633 Wave I Parents and 316 Spouses or Partners, selected for inclusion in the Public-Use sample, completed and returned the FHH leave-behind questionnaire.