Asterisk Table | National Longitudinal Survey of Mature and Young Women

This page presents two tables summarizing selected variables from the Young Women and the Mature Women surveys (use the drop-down menu to select either the YW or MW table). The tables list individual items or groups of related items, with asterisks in the year columns indicating the survey years in which the variables(s) are available. Users are encouraged to consult the questionnaires for exact question wording in each survey round.

Selected Young Women Variables by Survey Year

I. Labor Market Experience Variables

A. Current labor force and employment status

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Survey week labor force and employment status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours worked in survey week * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Weeks worked (time frames vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Usual hours worked during weeks worked * *         * *                   * * * * *
Weeks unemployed (time frames vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spells of unemployment in past year * * * * * *     *     *           * * * * *
Weeks out of labor force (time frames vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

B. Characteristics of current or last job

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Occupation, industry, class of worker * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Start date and stop date * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours per week usually worked * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Work schedule (worked and preferred)                   *           *   *        
Shift worked         * *     *   * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fringe benefits available                 *     * * * * * * * * * * *
Detailed fringe benefit series                               *   * * * * *
Hourly rate of pay *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Work at home for employer                             * * * * * * * *
Promotions (any, effects)                             * * * * * * * *
Firm size                             * * * * * * * *
Supervises others                             * * * * * * * *
Displaced worker                             * * * * * * * *
Commuting time, costs *         *     *     *           *        
Type of training for this job                     *                      
Covered by collective bargaining     * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Is R union member     * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Did R ever hold unionized job                           *                

C. Work experience prior to initial survey

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Occupation and industry of job held during last year of high school *                                          
Occupation, industry, class of worker, start date, stop date, and reason for leaving first job after school *                                          

D. Work experience since previous survey

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Interfirm mobility (details vary)   * * * * * * * * * * * *                  
Occupation, industry, class of worker, hours per week, start date, stop date, and reason for leaving intervening jobs (through 1983) or employers (beginning in 1988) (details vary)   * * * * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *

II. Human Capital and Other Socioeconomic Variables

A. Early formative influences

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Age or date of birth * * * * * * * * *   *       * *   * * * * *
Nationality or ethnicity *                               * * * *    
Type of residence at age 14 and age 18 *                                          
Person(s) R lived with at age 14 *       *                                  
Occupation of household head when R was 14 *                                          
Highest grade completed by father *               *                          
Highest grade completed by mother *                                          
Were magazines, newspapers, and library cards available in home at age 14 *                                          
Parental encouragement to continue education past high school       * *                                  

B. Migration

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Years at current residence *                                          
Geographic mobility (details vary) * * * * * *     *     *     * * * * *      
Comparison of birthplace to current residence *                                          

C. Education

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Current enrollment status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Highest grade completed * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reason stopped attending high school * * * * * *                                
Is current school public * * * * * *     *                          
High school curriculum * * * * * *                                
High school subjects enjoyed most and least *                                          
High school activities *                                          
Index of high school quality *                                          
Index of college quality     *   *                                  
College attended, highest degree received, field of study * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
College tuition (full-time amount) * * * * * *     *                          
College financial aid types, amount * * * * * * * * *                          
Reason R left college   * * * * *                                
Reason R's college plans have changed   * * * * *                                
Math courses in high school                       *                    

D. Training outside regular school

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Any training or educational program (did R take, did R complete, type, sponsor, reason took, duration, hours per week, reason not completed) * * * * * * * * *                 * * * * *
Other training or educational program (did R take, did R complete, type, apprenticeship program, sponsor, reason took, duration, hours per week)                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On-the-job training (did R take, did R complete, duration, hours per week attended)                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Program enrolled in at last interview (type, did R complete, duration)                     * * * * * * * * * * * *
Training used on current job (universes vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

E. Health and physical condition

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Comparison of R's condition with past     * *   *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Does health limit work *   * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does health limit school activity *   * *   *                                
Does health limit housework *     *   *       * *   * *                
Duration of health limitations *   * *   * * * *     *     * * * * * * * *
Problematic activities (stooping, kneeling, and so forth)       *         *     *     * *   *       *
Problematic working conditions (noise, heat, and so forth)                 *     *     * *            
Accidents (on-the-job, how, when)                 *                          
Does health permit going outdoors, using public transportation, or personal care       *         *     *     *              
Does others' health limit R's work           *     *     *     *   *   * * * *
Insurance coverage of R and family members                             * * * * * * * *
Cigarette; alcohol use                               * * * * * * *
Height and weight (details vary)                               *   *        
Menopausal status and hormone use                                   * * * * *
Extent to which R drives an automobile                                   *        
Types of health conditions (cancer, diabetes, and so forth)                               *   * * * * *
Prescription drug expenses                                           *
Any medication for mental conditions                                           *
Any exercise during past month                                           *
Pet ownership                                           *

F. Marital and family characteristics

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Marital status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Husband's attitude toward R's working *       *       *     *                    
Marital history           *     *   * * * * * * * * * * * *
New information or update on all children born or adopted           *     *     * * * * * * *       *
Number of dependents * * * * * *     *   * * * * * * *          
Parents (weeks worked, full-time, occupation) * * *   * *                 *              
Number and ages of children in household * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Any children in college last 12 months; amount of support from R and spouse                               * * * *   * *
Childcare arrangements (type, cost) (universes and details vary) * * * * *   * * *     *     * * * *        
Number of children R expects and number R considers ideal       *   *     *   * * * * * *            
Family or household (starting in 1988) members: Relationship to R, sex, age, education, employment status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Unrelated household members: Relationship to R, age, sex                 *   * * * *                
Household activities: Responsibility, hours per week spent             *   *   * *   *                
Did R's husband ever have a unionized job                           *       *        
Did R's father ever have a unionized job                           *                
Responsibility for care of chronically ill or disabled                           *   * * * * * * *

G. Characteristics of R's husband; characteristics of R's partner, beginning in 1995

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Current labor force status                         * * * * * * * * * *
Usual weeks worked                                 *          
Firm size                                 *          
Covered by Social Security or Railroad Retirement                                 *         *
Covered by collective bargaining or union contract                                 * * * * * *
Is spouse or partner union member                                 * * * * * *
Job search activity in past month                                   * * * * *
Retirement plans, expectations, status                                 * * * * * *
Weeks and hours worked 1990-92                                 *          
Detailed information on employers since 1987 or since last interview (occupation, industry, class of worker, rate of pay, start and stop date, hours worked, shift worked)                                 * * * * * *
Unemployment of husband (weeks)                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Husband's health limits work, limitations *   * *   *     *     *     *   * * * * * *

H. Questions asked of widows

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Husband's medical care in 12 months before death                                   * * * * *
How medical costs were paid                                   * * * * *
R's care of husband                                   * * * * *
Financial assistance to R from family members                                   * * * * *
Death benefits paid to R (amount, source, lump sum or periodic payment)                                   * * * * *

I. Financial characteristics

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Total net family assets *     * * *     *     *     *   * * * * * *
Total family income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from farm or business * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wage or salary income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Unemployment compensation income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Supplemental unemployment benefits income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Disability income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Rental income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Interest or dividend income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Total market value of Food Stamps received                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from AFDC/TANF                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Income received from public assistance                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from Social Security or Railroad Retirement                       *     * * * * * * * *
Pension income                                 * * * * * *
Alimony payments                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child support payments                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Financial assistance received from others * * * * * *       * *   *       * * * * * *
Income from other sources * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

J. Transfers ("H" refers to "husband" of the respondent)

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Life status of R's parents, age *                           * * *   *   * *
Cause of death of R's parents                               *            
Life status of H's parents, age *                               *   *   *  
Health status of R's and H's parents                                 *   *   *  
Do R's or H's parents live in nursing home                                 *   *   *  
Marital status of R's and H's parents                                 *   *   *  
Distance R's and H's parents live from R                                 *   *   *  
Yearly income of R's and H's parents                                 *   *      
Do R's and H's parents own home; value                                 *   *      
Amount of R's and H's parents' assets and debts                                 *   *   *  
Transfers of time to R's and H's parents                                 *   *   *  
Transfers of money to R's and H's parents                                 *   *   *  
Transfers of time from R's and H's parents                                         *  
Transfers of money from R's and H's parents                                         *  
Did R's parents have will                                     *   *  
Amount of parents' estate                                     *   * *
Sex, age and date of birth, highest grade completed of R's and H's children                                       *   *
Relationship of child(ren) to R                                       *   *
Residence of child(ren) and distance from R                                       *   *
Do child(ren) and child(ren)'s spouse own home; value                                       *   *
Amount of child(ren)'s assets and debts                                       *   *
Transfers of time to and from child(ren)                                       *   *
Transfers of money to and from child(ren)                                       *   *
Does R have will; who are beneficiaries                                       *   *
If R has a mother in the Mature Women cohort:
Mother's marital status                                       *    
Amount of mother's and mother's husband assets and debts                                       *    
Transfers of time to and from R and mother                                       *    
Transfers of money to and from R and mother                                       *    

K. Attitudes and perspectives

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
How R feels about job * * * * * *     * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
What R likes best and least about job * * * * * *     * * * *     *              
Attitude toward homemaking                 * *   *     *              
Would R continue to work if had enough money to live on     *   *       *     *     *              
Which is more important: high wages or liking work *         *           *                    
Attitude toward women working *       *       *     *     *              
Facet-Specific Job Satisfaction Index                   *                        
Would R like more education or training * * * * * *     *                          
Educational goal * * * * * *     *                          
What would R like to be doing when 35 years old * * * * * * * * * * * * *                  
What would R like to be doing when 50 years old and 5 years from now                     * * * *                
Knowledge of World of Work score   *                                        
Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control score (shortened version in 2001)     *     *     *     *     *           *  
CES-Depression Scale                                 * * * * * *
Way feeling these days                   * *   * * * * * * * * * *
IQ score *                                          
Discrimination ever experienced, type (expanded in 1988)         *       * * * *     *     *     *  
Has R progressed, held own, or moved backward           *     *     *                    
Attitudes toward retirement                                   * * * * *
Opinions on hypothetical Social Security reform                                           *

L. Hypothetical job offer

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Would R accept * * * * * * * * *     *     *              
Hours per week would work * * * * * * * * *     *     *              
Rate of pay, kind of work required * * * * * * * * *     *     *              

M. Volunteer work

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Did any unpaid volunteer work           *     *           * *           *
Hours per week worked, organization           *     *           * *           *
Why volunteered           *     *                         *

N. Retirement

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Expected age at retirement                                   *        
Characteristics of current employer's pension plan                               *   * * * * *
R's knowledge of employer's pension plan                                   * * * * *
Eligible for other pensions, type, number of years worked on jobs                                   *        
Eligible for spouse's benefits                                   * * * * *
Spouse eligible for other retirement benefits, type                                   *        
R and spouse have personal retirement plan                                   * * * * *
Sources of retirement income                                   *        
Retirement health insurance coverage                                   * * * * *
Detailed pension plan coverage                                   * * * * *

III. Environmental Variables

A. Residence

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Region of residence (South or non-South) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does R live in SMSA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Mover or nonmover status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Comparison of State, county, SMSA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Comparison of State, county                               * * * * * * *

B. Characteristics

Variable 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 77 78 80 82 83 85 87 88 91 93 95 97 99 01 03
Size of local area labor force * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Local area unemployment rate * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Index of demand for female labor * * * * * *                                
Accredited college in local area * * *