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National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79)
NLSY97
NLSY79
NLSCYA
NLSW
NLSM

Asterisk Tables

The selected variables for the NLSY79 asterisk tables are grouped into three main categories: labor market experience variables, human capital and other socioeconomic variables, and environmental variables. Choose a category to view tables summarizing related variables. 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."

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

  1. Labor Market Experience Variables
  2. Human Capital and Other Socioeconomic Variables
  3. Environmental Variables

Human Capital and Other Socioeconomic Variables

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Table 1. NLSY79: Early formative influences and parental status variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Nationality and birthplace *       *                                                  
Birth date *   *                                                      
Ethnic self-identification (revised 2002) *                                     *                    
Year foreign-born R entered the United States         *             *                                    
Month and year R entered the United States to live for at least 6 months *                     *                                    
Immigration or visa status                       *                                    
Religious affiliation, frequency of attendance *     *                             *                      
Periods lived away from parents (birth to age 18) *                 *                                        
Non-English language spoken when R was a child *                                                          
Were magazines, newspapers, or library cards available in home when R was age 14 *                                                          
Person(s) R lived with at age 14 *                     *                                    
Occupations of primary adults when R was 14 *                                                          
Birthplace of parents: State or country *                                                          
Highest grade completed by father and mother *                                                          
Employment status of father and mother in past year * *                                                        
Are R's parents living * *                               * * * * * * * * * * * * *
R's biological parents---life status, health, cause of death (40+/50+/60+ health modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Table 2. NLSY79: Education variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Current enrollment status, date of last enrollment * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Highest grade completed * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Reason stopped attending school * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Highest degree and date received                   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Is or was school public or private *                                                          
High school curriculum * * * * * * *                                              
Comparison of high school courses to skills training                             *                              
College degree received * * * * * *       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Type of college attending (2- or 4-year) * * * * * * * *   * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Field of study or specialization in college * * * * * * * *   * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
College tuition *                                                          
Educational loans or financial aid in college * * * * * * * *   * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Attitude toward selected aspects of high school *                                                          
Courses taken during last year of high school *                                                          
Ever suspended or expelled from school; date   *                                                        

Table 3. NLSY79: Vocational training outside regular school variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Type(s) of training * * * * * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Number of weeks, hours per week in training * * * * * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Was training completed * * * * * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Was degree, certificate, or journeyman's card obtained * *                                                        
Was training related to specific job or employer       * * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Was training related to a promotion                       * * * * *                            
Reason for training       * * *             * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Method of financing training       * * *       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Informal job learning activities (questions vary)                             * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Table 4. NLSY79: Government jobs and training programs variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Participation in programs * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Type of program * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Satisfaction with program * * * * * * * * *                                          
Did program help on subsequent jobs * * * * * * * * *   * * * * * * * *                        
Services provided by program * * * * * * * * *                                          
Length of participation in program * * * * * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours per week and per day spent in program * * * * * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amount of income from participating in program * * * * * * * *                                            
Aspects liked most and least about programs *                                                          
Reasons for entering and leaving programs * * * * * * * * *                                          

Table 5. NLSY79: Health variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Does health limit work, duration of limitation * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Type of health problem (ICD-9 code) * * * *                                                    
Work-related injury or illness (ICD-9 code)                   * * *   * * * * * *                      
Height     * *     *                             * * * * * * *    
Weight     * *     * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Health insurance coverage: R, spouse, children                     * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Frequency and intensity of R's physical activity                                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
R's general health behaviors                                       * * * * * * * * * * *
General perception of health (40+/50+/60+ health modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does health interfere with daily activities (40+/50+/60+ health modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Emotional health in past 4 weeks (40+/50+/60+ health modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CES-Depression Scale                           *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Loneliness

                                                           *
R's various health problems (heart problems, cancer, diabetes, poor eyesight or hearing, and so forth) (40+/50+/60+ health modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Time spent on healthcare activities (40+/50+ health modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * *      
Diagnosed with asthma (40+/50+ modules)                                   * * * * * * * * * *      
Diagnosed with Alzheimer's/dementia (60+ health module)                                                       * * *
Satisfaction With Life Scale/SWLS (60+ health module)                                                       * * *
General Anxiety Disorder/GAD scale (60+ health module)                                                       * * *
Brief Resilience Scale/BRS (60+health module)                                                       *
Note E.1		    
Cognition                                           * * * * * * * *  
National Death Index data                                                         *  

Note E.1: In 2018, four items from the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were included in the 60+ Health module. The BRS questions were discontinued partway through the 2020 survey round, but a portion of the 2020 BRS data collected is available in the public release.

All spouse items also refer to partners beginning in 1994.

Table 6. NLSY79: Marital and spouse characteristics variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Dating behaviors and attitudes (unmarried females)                   *       *   * * * * * * * * * * *        
Marital status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Changes in marital status since 1/1/1978 or previous interview; number and duration of marriages * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Month, year R and partner began living together                       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Did R and spouse live together continuously before marriage (or R and partner continuously until now)                       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Changes in cohabitation with partner since last interview                                       * * * * * * * * * * *
Occupation of spouse * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Race of Spouse                                             * * * * * * * *
Extent spouse worked in previous calendar year * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Current labor force status, reason not employed for spouse                   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Shift worked by spouse       *           * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *        
Rate of pay, hourly rate of pay of spouse                       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Spouse/partner's religious affiliation and attendance       *                             * * * * * * * * * * * *
Number of spouse's marriages, details       *                           * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Effect of spouse's health on R's work       *                                                    
Quality of R's relationship (14 items) (mothers in 1988; females all other years)                   *       *   * * * * * * * * * * * *      
Age at which R expects to marry *                                                          

Table 7. NLSY79: Household and children variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Relationship of household or family members to R * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Household or family members' demographics (sex, age, highest grade completed, work status in past year) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Number of dependents or exemptions * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Number and ages of R's children living in household * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Expected number of children *     * * * * *   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * *          
Number of children R considers ideal *     *                                                    
Healthcare during pregnancy (females)         * * * *   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Postnatal infant healthcare and feeding (females)         * * * *   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Father's relationship with children (males)                                   * *                      
Fertility history * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Use of birth control methods       *   * * *   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pregnancies not resulting in live births (includes how ended through 1990)       * * * * *   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * *      
Characteristics of children with asthma                                         * * * * * *        

Asked of female respondents only in even years after 1986.

Table 8. NLSY79: Childcare variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Current childcare arrangements       * * * * * * *                                        
Childcare during first 3 years of life               *   *       *   * * * * * * * * * * *        
Cost per week       *     * *   *                                        
Number of hours per week       * * * * *   *                                        
Is childcare a hindrance to R's work, school, or training       * * *       * *                                      
Extent of various neighborhood problems                           *   * * * *                      

All spouse items also refer to partners beginning in 1994.

Table 9. NLSY79: Financial characteristics and program participation variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Total family income in previous calendar year * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income of R and spouse in previous calendar year from: Farm or own business * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income of R and spouse in previous calendar year from: Wages or salary * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income of R and spouse in previous calendar year from: Business or Professional Practice Investment or Ownership                                         *   *   *   * * * *
Unemployment compensation * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Public assistance * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Food Stamps * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Targeted cash or noncash benefits                                   * *                      
Pensions/Social Security * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Military service * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Veterans' benefits, workers' compensation, other disability (collected separately beginning in 2002) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Other sources * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
R receives government rent subsidy or public housing * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *   *   *   *  
Income from child support * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child support expected vs. received                             * * * * *                      
Rights to estate or trust; income from inheritances (since last interview)                                     * * * * * * * * * * * *
R claimed Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on previous tax return, amount                                     * * * * * * * *        
Possession of various assets (R and spouse)   * * * * * * * * * * *   * * * * * *   *   *   *   *   *  
Asset market value (R and spouse)             * * * * * *   * * * * * *   *   *   *   *   *  
Amount of debt             * * * * * *   * * * * * *   *   * * * * * * *  
Amount spent on food, other than Food Stamps                       * * * * *           *                
Effect of 1996 welfare reform on R (shorter in 2000)                                   * *         *            
R receives targeted benefits from public assistance program (gas vouchers, childcare, and so forth)                                     *                      
R ever declare bankruptcy                                         *   * * * * *   *  
Home foreclosure                                               * * * * * * *
R has a will                                                 * * * *   *
Financial literacy                                                 * * * *    
Educational expenditures                                                   *        
Effects of Coronavirus outbreak on earnings                                                         * *
R and spouse receive Coronavirus stimulus check                                                         * *

Table 10. NLSY79: Military service variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Branch of Armed Forces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Months spent in Armed Forces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Military occupation(s) * * * * * * *                                              
ROTC or officer training *                                                          
Reserve or guard activities * * * * * * *                                              
Pay grade and income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Type and amount of military training * * * * * * *                                              
Does R use military skills on civilian job * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Does R do same kind of work in recent civilian job as in military job       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Formal education received while in service * * * * * * *                                              
Family members who have served on active duty         *                                                  
Participation in Veteran's Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) (after 1985, with GI bill) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *      
Attitude toward military service * * * * * * *                                              
Future military plans * * * * * * *                                              
Reason for entering and leaving military   * * * * * *                                              
Contact with military recruiters * * * * * * *                                              
Type of discharge   * *                                                      
Enlistment or reenlistment bonuses received * * * * * * *                                              
Civilian job offer at time of discharge   * * * * * *                                              
Return to same employer after active duty   * * * * * *                                              

Table 11. NLSY79: Educational and occupational aspirations and expectations variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Would R like more education or training; type *                                                          
How much education desired and actually attained *   * *                                                    
Kind of work R would like to be doing at age 35 *     *                                                    
Expectation of achieving occupational goal *     *                                                    

Table 12. NLSY79: Attitudes variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Knowledge of World of Work score *                                                          
Would R work if had enough money to live on *                                                          
Characteristics of job R is willing to take (R unemployed or out of labor force) * * * * * * * *                                            
Reaction to hypothetical job offers *                                                          
Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (Rotter) *                                                 * * *    
Mastery Scale (Pearlin)                           *                                
Attitude toward women working *     *         *                       *                  
Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg) (10 items)   *             *                         *                
CES-Depression Scale                           *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Person having most influence on R, his or her responses to various situations *                                                          
Retirement expectations                                         * * * * * * * * * *
R risk aversion questions                                               * * *        
Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI)                                                   * * *    
Life satisfaction                                                   * * * * *
Computer and internet access                                     * * * * * * * *     * *

Table 13. NLSY79: Retrospective evaluation of labor market experience variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Perception of age, race, and sex discrimination *     *                                                    
Reason for problems in obtaining employment *     *                                                    

Table 14. NLSY79: Delinquency, drugs, and alcohol use variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Activities within last year (20 items)   *                                                        
Income from illegal activities within last year   *                                                        
Alcohol consumption in last week or month       * * * *     * *     *   *       *   * * * * *   * * *
Extent of cigarette use           *               *   *   *         * * * *   * * *
Age R first smoked and stopped smoking cigarettes           *
(first smoked only)		               *   *   *                        
Extent of marijuana use   *       *       *       *   *   *                        
Age R first used marijuana           *       *       *   *   *                        
Extent of cocaine use, age R first used           *       *       *   *   *                        
Extent of "crack" cocaine use, age R first used                           *   *   *                        
Ever used sedatives, barbiturates, and so forth           *               *   *   *                        
Cigarette and alcohol use during pregnancy         * * * *   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * *    
Marijuana and cocaine use during pregnancy                   *   *   *   * * * * * * * * * * * * *    

Table 15. NLSY79: Reported police contacts variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Number of times stopped by police   *                                                        
Number of times booked or arrested   *                                                        
Number of convictions, charges   *                                                        
Number of times incarcerated; date of release   *                                                        

Table 16. NLSY79: Time use variables by year

Variable

 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Use of time at various activities (school, work, watching TV, household chores, and so forth)     *                                                      
Volunteerism/Philanthropy                                           *   * * *