Attitudes, Expectations, Non-Cognitive Tests, and Activities: An Introduction


Information has been gathered on NLSY97 respondents' attitudes, expectations of the future, non-cognitive tests, and activities such as weekly activities, political and community participation, and computer use. Table 1 summarizes the NLSY97 topics available in this section.

Table 1. Expectations, Attitudes, Behaviors & Time Use Topics and Universe Restrictions

NLSY97 User's Guide Topic

Rnd 1
Universe

Rnd 2
Universe

Rnd 3
Universe

Rnds 4&5 Universe

 Rnd 6  Universe  Rnd 7 Universe Rnd 8 Universe Rnd 9 Universe Rnd 10 Universe Rnd 11 Universe Rnd 12 Universe Rnd 13 Universe

Attitudes 

 

Justice Systems

Conjecture on events that might follow a hypothetical arrest

all ages

all ages

all ages

all ages

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
 

Parents

Respondents rate parents' behavior

12-14

12-14

12-14

12-14

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
 

Peers

Estimates of peers' positive and negative activities and behaviors

all ages

--

--

--

Best friend:
12-13

-- all ages -- -- -- -- --
 

School

Opinions about school environment, including teacher quality, discipline, and safety

all ages; enrolled in school

--

--

--

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
 

Self

Scale similar to Achenbach's Youth Self Report

12-14

--

--

--

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
 

Domains of influence

Who the respondents turn to for advice for a number of issues

--

--

--

--

-- all ages -- all ages -- -- -- --
 

Mental Health Measures

Respondents rate their mental health via Mental Health Inventory

--

--

--

all ages; round 4 all ages   all ages -- all ages -- all ages  
 

"Tell Us What You Think"

Opinions about different topics; varies by round

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

all ages all ages all ages all ages

Expectations

Respondents' and parents' beliefs about what the respondents' future might be

15, 16

--

--

all ages

16 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Time Use

Amount of time respondent spends on various activities

12-14
16--not enrolled or employed
>=15--not enrolled or employed >=15--not enrolled or employed

--

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Political Participation

Voting habits, etc.

--

--

--

--

-- -- all ages -- all ages -- all ages --

Computer & Internet Access

How and where respondent uses computer.

--

--

--

--

-- all ages all ages all ages all ages all ages all ages all ages (limited to one variable about Internet access)

Community Participation & Volunteerism

Any unpaid volunteer work; reason for participation.

--

--

--

--

--

--

-- all ages -- all ages -- --
 
Note:  Age restrictions as of 12/31/1996 unless stated otherwise.