National Survey of Families and Households

National Survey of Families and Households is a comprehensive, longitudinal survey conducted in the United States by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with the primary goal of studying the complexity of American family structures, household dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. The survey has been widely used by researchers from various institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and American Sociological Association, to investigate topics such as marriage, divorce, cohabitation, and fertility. The survey's findings have been published in numerous academic journals, including the Journal of Marriage and Family, American Sociological Review, and Demography (journal), and have been cited by prominent researchers like Arlene Skolnick, Stephanie Coontz, and Andrew Cherlin. The survey has also been used to inform policy decisions by organizations such as the US Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, and Administration for Children and Families.

● Introduction

The National Survey of Families and Households was designed to provide a detailed understanding of the changing dynamics of American families and households over time, with a focus on the experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. The survey has been influenced by the work of prominent sociologists, such as Talcott Parsons, Erving Goffman, and Judith Stacey, and has been used to study topics like family violence, child abuse, and domestic violence, in collaboration with organizations like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the American Bar Association. The survey's data have been used to develop new theories and models of family behavior, such as the family systems theory and the social exchange theory, and have been applied in fields like social work, counseling, and public health, with the support of institutions like the National Association of Social Workers and the American Public Health Association.

● Methodology

The National Survey of Families and Households employed a multi-stage sampling design, with a focus on selecting a representative sample of US households and families, including those with single parents, stepfamilies, and same-sex couples. The survey used a combination of in-person interviews and self-administered questionnaires, developed in consultation with experts from the National Opinion Research Center and the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan. The survey's methodology has been influenced by the work of prominent methodologists, such as Paul Lazarsfeld and Herbert Hyman, and has been used to study topics like survey research methods and statistical analysis, with the support of organizations like the American Statistical Association and the International Statistical Institute.

● Data Collection

The National Survey of Families and Households collected data from a sample of over 13,000 US households and families, including interviews with primary respondents and self-administered questionnaires completed by secondary respondents, with the assistance of field staff from the US Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics. The survey's data collection process was designed to minimize non-response bias and maximize data quality, with the guidance of experts from the National Institute of Statistical Sciences and the American Association for Public Opinion Research. The survey's data have been used to study topics like data analysis and research methodology, with the support of institutions like the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research and the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science.

● Survey Content

The National Survey of Families and Households included a wide range of questions and topics, such as demographic characteristics, family relationships, marital history, fertility, and health behaviors, with a focus on the experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and people with disabilities. The survey's content was developed in consultation with experts from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and American Sociological Association, and has been used to study topics like family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and social support networks, with the support of organizations like the National Council on Family Relations and the Society for Research on Adolescence. The survey's data have been used to develop new measures and scales, such as the family cohesion scale and the marital satisfaction scale, with the assistance of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

● Findings and Applications

The National Survey of Families and Households has produced a wide range of findings and applications, including studies on family structure and child well-being, marital quality and divorce, and health disparities and health outcomes, with the support of institutions like the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey's findings have been used to inform policy decisions and program development, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Healthy Marriage Initiative, with the guidance of experts from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families. The survey's data have also been used to develop new interventions and programs, such as parenting programs and relationship education programs, with the assistance of organizations like the National Parenting Publication Awards and the American Community Survey.

● History and Funding

The National Survey of Families and Households was first conducted in 1987-1988, with funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, and has since been supported by a range of organizations, including the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and American Sociological Association. The survey has undergone several waves of data collection, with the most recent wave completed in 2013, and has been used to study topics like social change and cultural trends, with the guidance of experts from the University of Chicago and the Harvard University. The survey's data have been archived at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research and are available for use by researchers from around the world, with the support of institutions like the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress.

Category:Social surveys