Questionnaires completed by the mother

The Maternity Survey (1946) was asked of the mothers and the seven full follow-ups were worded towards being asked of the mother. Indeed in 1946, 1948 and 1950 no record was made of who was interviewed; this was not added until 1952. Overall, in 95% of cases the survey was conducted with the mother, either singly or jointly with the father.

In addition to these main questionnaires, mothers were asked twice in 1953 about school absences, accidents and hospital admissions.

Topics asked of the mother

1948195019521954195519571961
Accidents x x x x x x x
Bedwetting x x x x
Bladder and bowel training x
Childhood diet x
Child's habits x x
Child's hobbies and outside interests x x
Concerns about child's behaviour x x x x
Concerns about child's health x x x
Concerns about child's nervousness x
Concerns about child's progress at school x x x
Development of child x
Domestic help x x x
Education of parents x
Educational aspirations for child x x x
Father's work x x x x x x
Health visitor observation of marital status x x x x x x
Hospital admissions x x x x x x
Household composition x x x x x x
Immunisation x
Infectious diseases / illness x x x x x x
Meeting with child's school x x x x
Mother's work x x x x x x x
Number of rooms x x x x
Nurseries x x
Own or shared bathroom / kitchen x x x
Ownership of consumer goods x x x
Parental Health x
Separation from mother x
Sleep and play x
Sleeping arrangements for study member x x x x x x
Source of hot water x x x
Subsequent pregnancies x x x x x
Type and ownership of house x x x x x x
Views on child's future employment x x