1954 (aged 8 years)

Responding Population

The mothers of all eligible study members were contacted: 4,435 mothers of cohort members were interviewed by the health visitor or school nurse.

Provided information 4,435
Cumulative total of deaths 236
Cumulative permanent refusals1
Temporarily living abroad 40
Cumulative emigrated 259
Failure to contact 391


Data collection

School nurses and health visitors interviewed mothers at home about the child’s health and development, school absences, play, the mother’s work, and the home and family circumstances. Teachers administered cognitive tests at school.

Training for data collection

Instructions are given at the head of each form.

Contents

Mother

  • Accidents
  • Infectious diseases
  • Admissions to Hospital
  • School clinic and out patient department attendances
  • School Absences
  • Bed Wetting
  • General health and behaviour
  • Schooling
  • Play and hobbies
  • The dwelling
  • The household
  • The mother’s work
  • Subsequent pregnancies
  • Family history

Mental ability and scholastic attainment

  • Sentence reading test
  • Infectious diseasesMechanical reading and workd comprehension test
  • Picture intelligence test


Questionnaires

  • Form A4a – Interview of mother by nurse
  • Form NF2 - Mental ability and scholastic attainment completed by study member (under teacher supervision)
  • Form S3 – School absence record (1954 – 1955)