National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Wave IV, 2007-2008 (Add Health)
Investigators: Kathleen Mullan Harris, Director, Add Health Wave IV, Carolina Population Center

The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) was mandated by Congress to collect data for the purpose of measuring the impact of social environment on adolescent health. It examines the general health and well-being of adolescents in the United States, including, with respect to these adolescents, (1) the behaviors that promote health and the behaviors that are detrimental to health; and (2) the influence on health of factors particular to the communities in which adolescents reside. Dependent variables include diet and nutrition, eating disorders, depression, violent behavior, intentional injury, unintentional injury, suicide, exercise, health service use, and health insurance coverage. Sociometrics is responsible for distribution of the public-use version of Add Health Wave IV described in this document.

The Wave IV follow-up survey was designed to study developmental and health trajectories across the life course of adolescence into young adulthood. At the same time that the Add Health cohort was assuming adult roles and responsibilities, they were also development crucial health habits and lifestyle choices that set pathways for their future adult health and well-being. By integrating biological information into models of health and human development, the Wave IV design stimulates interdisciplinary research teams that bridge the social and biomedical sciences.

This dataset includes seven data files:

• Main Respondent File (T2): This file includes 925 variables, including the questionnaire and biomarker data for 5,114 respondents.
• Relationships B File (T3): This file contains 14 variables and 9,919 relationship records.
• Relationships C File (T4): This file contains 8 variables and detailed information on 11,849 relationships.
• Pregnancy Table File (T5): This file contains 17 variables and 7,081 pregnancy records.
• Live Births File (T6): This file contains 17 variables and information about 4,828 live births.
• Children and Parenting A File (T7): This file contains 46 variables and detailed information about 4,756 children.
• Weights File (T8): This file contains the grand sampling weights.

The investigator hopes this research will enable Congressional leaders, parents, researchers, policy makers, educators, and health-care providers to better understand how to protect the health of young people in the United States.

Ordering information for Add Health Waves I and II, and Add Health Wave III may be obtained at:

• Add Health Waves I and II (FAM98A3): http://www.socio.com/fam98a3.php
• Add Health Wave III (DAPQ1Q9): http://www.socio.com/dapq1q9.php

Complete merged public-use datasets are also available in SPSS portable or SAS transport format only:

• Add Health Waves I, II, and III (DAPADD3): http://www.socio.com/dapadd3.php
• Add Health Waves I, II, III, and IV (DAPADD4): http://www.socio.com/dapadd4.php

Please Note: Before the Add Health data set can be shipped, we must have a signed copy of the Use Agreement (fax copy is OK) in our office. The original is to be kept by the ordering institution or individual, and EVERY person who accesses the data set must read and sign the agreement. There is no need to send us additional copies of the agreement as new users add their signatures. However, the Carolina Population Center reserves the right to audit the Use Agreement Form. To expedite your shipment, it is helpful to download the Use Agreement, and fax it back to Sociometrics at (650) 949-3299. Due to the necessity of the Use Agreement, this data set is not available for download.