Start
ncds8_sc
1958 National Child Development Study
2008 Survey
Self-completion Questionnaire
Leisure, Health and Well-being
Confidential
1
We are interested in the things people do in their leisure time. Please indicate how frequently you do each one...

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - At least once a week

2 - At least once a month

3 - Several times a year

4 - Once a year or less

5 - Never/ almost never
Play sport or go walking or swimming
Go to watch live sport
Go to the cinema
Go to a concert, theatre or other live performance
Have a meal in a restaurant, cafe or pub
Go for a drink at a pub or club
Work in the garden
Do DIY, home maintenance or car repairs
Attend leisure activity groups such as evening classes, keep fit, yoga etc
Attend meetings for local groups/ voluntary organisations
Do unpaid voluntary work
Visit friends or relations or have them visit you
Please check you have completed all the questions
2
Please use the rating scale to describe how accurately these phrases describe you.

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Very inaccurate

2 - Moderately inaccurate

3 - Neither inaccurate or accurate

4 - Moderately accurate

5 - Very accurate
I am the life of the party
I feel little concern for others
I am always prepared
I get stressed out easily
I have a rich vocabulary
I don't talk a lot
I am interested in people
I leave my belongings around
I am relaxed most of the time
I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas
I feel comfortable around people
I insult people
I pay attention to details
I worry about things
I have a vivid imagination
I keep in the background
I sympathise with others' feelings
I make a mess of things
I seldom feel blue
I am not interested in abstract ideas
I start conversations
I am not interested in other people's problems
I get chores done right away
I am easily disturbed
I have excellent ideas
I have little to say
I have a soft heart
I often forget to put things back in their proper place
I get upset easily
I do not have a good imagination
I talk to a lot of different people at parties
I am not really interested in others
I like order
I change my mood a lot
I am quick to understand things
I don't like to draw attention to myself
I take time out for others
I shirk my duties
I have frequent mood swings
I use difficult words
I don't mind being the centre of attention
I feel others' emotions
I follow a schedule
I get irritated easily
I spend time reflecting on things
I am quiet around strangers
I make people feel at ease
I am exacting in my work
I often feel blue
I am full of ideas
Please check you have completed all the questions
3
Below are some statements about feelings and thoughts. Please tick the box that best describes your experience of each over the last 2 weeks.

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - None of the time

2 - Rarely

3 - Some of the time

4 - Often

5 - All of the time
I've been feeling optimistic about the future
I've been feeling useful
I've been feeling relaxed
I've been feeling interested in other people
I've had energy to spare
I've been dealing with problems well
I've been thinking clearly
I've been feeling good about myself
I've been feeling close to other people
I've been feeling confident
I've been able to make up my own mind about things
I've been feeling loved
I've been interested in new things
I've been feeling cheerful
Please check you have completed all the questions
4
The following items are about activities you might do during a typical day. Does your health limit you in these activities? If so, how much?

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Yes, limited a lot

2 - Yes, limited a little

3 - No, not limited at all
Vigorous activities, such as running, lifting heavy objects, participating in strenuous sports
Moderate activities, such as moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner, bowling, or playing golf
Lifting or carrying groceries
Climbing several flights of stairs
Climbing one flight of stairs
Bending, kneeling or stooping
Walking more than one mile
Walking half a mile
Walking 100 yards
Bathing or dressing yourself
Please check you have completed all the questions
5
During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of your physical health? Have you...

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Yes

2 - No
Cut down the amount of time you spent on work or other activities?
Accomplished less than you would like?
Been limited in the kind of work or other activities you were able to do?
Had difficulty performing work or other activities (for example, it took extra effort)?
6
During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems (such as feeling depressed or anxious)? Have you...

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Yes

2 - No
Cut down the amount of time you spent on work or other activities?
Accomplished less than you would like?
Not done your work or other activities as carefully as usual?
7

During the past 4 weeks, to what extent has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your normal social activities with family, friends, neighbours, or groups?

Tick one box only

1
Not at all
2
Slightly
3
Moderately
4
Quite a bit
5
Extremely
Please check you have completed all the questions
8

How much bodily pain have you had during the past 4 weeks?

Tick one box only

1
None
2
Very mild
3
Mild
4
Moderate
5
Severe
6
Very severe
9

During the past 4 weeks, how much did pain interfere with your normal work (including both work outside the home and housework)?

Tick one box only

1
Not at all
2
Slightly
3
Moderately
4
Quite a bit
5
Extremely
Please check you have completed all the questions
10
These questions are about how you feel and how things have been with you during the past 4 weeks. For each question, please give the one answer that comes closest to the way you have been feeling. How much time during the past four weeks

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - All of the time

2 - Most of the time

3 - A good bit of the time

4 - Some of the time

5 - A little of the time

6 - None of the time
Did you feel full of life?
Have you been a very nervous person?
Have you felt so down in the dumps nothing could cheer you up?
Have you felt calm and cheerful?
Did you have a lot of energy?
Have you felt downhearted and low?
Did you feel worn out?
Have you been a happy person?
Did you feel tired?
Has your health limited your social activities (like visiting friends, relatives, etc.)?
11
For each of the following statements please choose one answer that best describes how true or false it is for you.

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Definitely true

2 - Mostly true

3 - Don't know

4 - Mostly false

5 - Definitely false
I seem to get ill a little easier than other people
I am as healthy as anybody I know
I expect my health to get worse
My health is excellent
Please check you have completed all the questions
12

During the last four weeks, how long did it usually take for you to fall asleep? Was it...

Tick one box only

1
0-15 minutes
2
16-30 minutes
3
31-45 minutes
4
46-60 minutes
5
more than 60 minutes?
13

During the past four weeks, how many hours did you sleep each night on average? ... hours

How many
14

During the past four weeks, how often did you awaken during your sleep time and have trouble falling back to sleep again? Did this happen...

Tick one box only

1
All of the time
2
Most of the time
3
A good bit of the time
4
Some of the time
5
A little of the time
6
None of the time?
15

During the past four weeks, how often did you get enough sleep to feel rested upon waking in the morning? Did this happen...

Tick one box only

1
All of the time
2
Most of the time
3
A good bit of the time
4
Some of the time
5
A little of the time
6
None of the time?
Please check you have completed all the questions
16
The next set of questions is a list of opinions on different topics. Please read each one, decide how much you agree or disagree and tick the box that corresponds with your answer.

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Strongly agree

2 - Agree

3 - Neither agree or disagree

4 - Disagree

5 - Strongly disagree
None of the political parties would do anything to benefit me
Problems in the environment are not as serious as people claim
Having almost any job is better than being unemployed
I would not mind working with people from other races
Marriage is for life
People who break the law should be given stiffer sentences
Ordinary working people do not get their fair share of the nation's wealth
If I didn't like a job I'd pack it in, even if there was no other job to go to
We should tackle problems in the environment even if this means slower economic growth
School should teach children to obey authority
Couples who have children should not separate
All women should have the right to choose to have an abortion if they wish
I would not want a person from another race to be my boss
Politicians are mainly in politics for their own benefit and not for the benefit of the community
There is one law for the rich and one for the poor
Once you've got a job it's important to hang on to it even if you don't really like it
Management will always try to get the better of employees if it gets the chance
I would not mind if a family from another race moved in next door to me
For some crimes the death penalty is the most appropriate sentence
It does not really make much difference which political party is in power in Britain
Preserving the environment is more important than any other political issue today
Please check you have completed all the questions
17
The following statements are about neighbourhoods. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement.

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Strongly agree

2 - Agree

3 - Neither agree or disagree

4 - Disagree

5 - Strongly disagree
I feel like I belong to this neighbourhood
The friendships and associations I have with other people in my neighbourhood mean a lot to me
If I needed advice about something I could go to someone in my neighbourhood
I borrow things and exchange favours with my neighbours
I would be willing to work together with others on something to improve my neighbourhood
I plan to remain a resident of this neighbourhood for a number of years
I like to think of myself as similar to the people who live in this neighbourhood
I regularly stop and talk with people in my neighbourhood
18

How often do you talk to any of your neighbours? Is it ...

Tick one box only

1
On most days
2
Once or twice a week
3
Once or twice a month
4
Less than once a month
5
Never
Please check you have completed all the questions
19
Here is a list of statements that people have used to describe their lives or how they feel. We would like to know how often, if at all, you think this applies to you?

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - Often

2 - Sometimes

3 - Not often

4 - Never
My age prevents me from doing the things I would like to
I feel what happens to me is out of my control
I feel left out of things
I can do the things I want to do
Family responsibilities prevent me from doing what I want to do
I feel that I can please myself what I do
Shortage of money stops me from doing things I want to do
I look forward to each day
I feel that my life has meaning
I enjoy the things that I do
On balance, I look back on my life with a sense of happiness
I feel full of energy these days
I feel that life is full of opportunities
I feel that the future looks good for me
Please check you have completed all the questions
20
Here is a list of things that people value. For each one please indicate on a scale from 1 to 10 how important each one is to you, where '1' equals 'Not important at all', and '10' equals 'Very important'.

Tick one box on each line

-

1 - 1 Not important at all

2 - 2

3 - 3

4 - 4

5 - 5

6 - 6

7 - 7

8 - 8

9 - 9

10 - 10 Very important
Having a lot of money
Having children
Having a fulfilling job
Having a good marriage or partnership
21

Imagine that you are now 60 years old...please write a few lines about the life you are leading (your interests, your home life, your health and well-being and any work you may be doing).

Long text
End

ncds8_sc

s_intro_i
1958 National Child Development Study
s_intro_ii
2008 Survey
s_intro_iv
Self-completion Questionnaire
s_intro_v
Leisure, Health and Well-being
s_intro_vi
Confidential
1

We are interested in the things people do in their leisure time. Please indicate how frequently you do each one...

-

1 - At least once a week

2 - At least once a month

3 - Several times a year

4 - Once a year or less

5 - Never/ almost never
Play sport or go walking or swimming
Go to watch live sport
Go to the cinema
Go to a concert, theatre or other live performance
Have a meal in a restaurant, cafe or pub
Go for a drink at a pub or club
Work in the garden
Do DIY, home maintenance or car repairs
Attend leisure activity groups such as evening classes, keep fit, yoga etc
Attend meetings for local groups/ voluntary organisations
Do unpaid voluntary work
Visit friends or relations or have them visit you
s_q1
Please check you have completed all the questions
2

Please use the rating scale to describe how accurately these phrases describe you.

-

1 - Very inaccurate

2 - Moderately inaccurate

3 - Neither inaccurate or accurate

4 - Moderately accurate

5 - Very accurate
I am the life of the party
I feel little concern for others
I am always prepared
I get stressed out easily
I have a rich vocabulary
I don't talk a lot
I am interested in people
I leave my belongings around
I am relaxed most of the time
I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas
I feel comfortable around people
I insult people
I pay attention to details
I worry about things
I have a vivid imagination
I keep in the background
I sympathise with others' feelings
I make a mess of things
I seldom feel blue
I am not interested in abstract ideas
I start conversations
I am not interested in other people's problems
I get chores done right away
I am easily disturbed
I have excellent ideas
I have little to say
I have a soft heart
I often forget to put things back in their proper place
I get upset easily
I do not have a good imagination
I talk to a lot of different people at parties
I am not really interested in others
I like order
I change my mood a lot
I am quick to understand things
I don't like to draw attention to myself
I take time out for others
I shirk my duties
I have frequent mood swings
I use difficult words
I don't mind being the centre of attention
I feel others' emotions
I follow a schedule
I get irritated easily
I spend time reflecting on things
I am quiet around strangers
I make people feel at ease
I am exacting in my work
I often feel blue
I am full of ideas
s_q2
Please check you have completed all the questions
3

Below are some statements about feelings and thoughts. Please tick the box that best describes your experience of each over the last 2 weeks.

-

1 - None of the time

2 - Rarely

3 - Some of the time

4 - Often

5 - All of the time
I've been feeling optimistic about the future
I've been feeling useful
I've been feeling relaxed
I've been feeling interested in other people
I've had energy to spare
I've been dealing with problems well
I've been thinking clearly
I've been feeling good about myself
I've been feeling close to other people
I've been feeling confident
I've been able to make up my own mind about things
I've been feeling loved
I've been interested in new things
I've been feeling cheerful
s_q3
Please check you have completed all the questions
4

The following items are about activities you might do during a typical day. Does your health limit you in these activities? If so, how much?

-

1 - Yes, limited a lot

2 - Yes, limited a little

3 - No, not limited at all
Vigorous activities, such as running, lifting heavy objects, participating in strenuous sports
Moderate activities, such as moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner, bowling, or playing golf
Lifting or carrying groceries
Climbing several flights of stairs
Climbing one flight of stairs
Bending, kneeling or stooping
Walking more than one mile
Walking half a mile
Walking 100 yards
Bathing or dressing yourself
s_q4
Please check you have completed all the questions
5

During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of your physical health? Have you...

-

1 - Yes

2 - No
Cut down the amount of time you spent on work or other activities?
Accomplished less than you would like?
Been limited in the kind of work or other activities you were able to do?
Had difficulty performing work or other activities (for example, it took extra effort)?
6

During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems (such as feeling depressed or anxious)? Have you...

-

1 - Yes

2 - No
Cut down the amount of time you spent on work or other activities?
Accomplished less than you would like?
Not done your work or other activities as carefully as usual?
7
During the past 4 weeks, to what extent has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your normal social activities with family, friends, neighbours, or groups?
1
Not at all
2
Slightly
3
Moderately
4
Quite a bit
5
Extremely
s_q7
Please check you have completed all the questions
8
How much bodily pain have you had during the past 4 weeks?
1
None
2
Very mild
3
Mild
4
Moderate
5
Severe
6
Very severe
9
During the past 4 weeks, how much did pain interfere with your normal work (including both work outside the home and housework)?
1
Not at all
2
Slightly
3
Moderately
4
Quite a bit
5
Extremely
s_q9
Please check you have completed all the questions
10

These questions are about how you feel and how things have been with you during the past 4 weeks. For each question, please give the one answer that comes closest to the way you have been feeling. How much time during the past four weeks

-

1 - All of the time

2 - Most of the time

3 - A good bit of the time

4 - Some of the time

5 - A little of the time

6 - None of the time
Did you feel full of life?
Have you been a very nervous person?
Have you felt so down in the dumps nothing could cheer you up?
Have you felt calm and cheerful?
Did you have a lot of energy?
Have you felt downhearted and low?
Did you feel worn out?
Have you been a happy person?
Did you feel tired?
Has your health limited your social activities (like visiting friends, relatives, etc.)?
11

For each of the following statements please choose one answer that best describes how true or false it is for you.

-

1 - Definitely true

2 - Mostly true

3 - Don't know

4 - Mostly false

5 - Definitely false
I seem to get ill a little easier than other people
I am as healthy as anybody I know
I expect my health to get worse
My health is excellent
s_q11
Please check you have completed all the questions
12
During the last four weeks, how long did it usually take for you to fall asleep? Was it...
1
0-15 minutes
2
16-30 minutes
3
31-45 minutes
4
46-60 minutes
5
more than 60 minutes?
13
During the past four weeks, how many hours did you sleep each night on average? ... hours
How many
14
During the past four weeks, how often did you awaken during your sleep time and have trouble falling back to sleep again? Did this happen...
1
All of the time
2
Most of the time
3
A good bit of the time
4
Some of the time
5
A little of the time
6
None of the time?
15
During the past four weeks, how often did you get enough sleep to feel rested upon waking in the morning? Did this happen...
1
All of the time
2
Most of the time
3
A good bit of the time
4
Some of the time
5
A little of the time
6
None of the time?
s_q15
Please check you have completed all the questions
16

The next set of questions is a list of opinions on different topics. Please read each one, decide how much you agree or disagree and tick the box that corresponds with your answer.

-

1 - Strongly agree

2 - Agree

3 - Neither agree or disagree

4 - Disagree

5 - Strongly disagree
None of the political parties would do anything to benefit me
Problems in the environment are not as serious as people claim
Having almost any job is better than being unemployed
I would not mind working with people from other races
Marriage is for life
People who break the law should be given stiffer sentences
Ordinary working people do not get their fair share of the nation's wealth
If I didn't like a job I'd pack it in, even if there was no other job to go to
We should tackle problems in the environment even if this means slower economic growth
School should teach children to obey authority
Couples who have children should not separate
All women should have the right to choose to have an abortion if they wish
I would not want a person from another race to be my boss
Politicians are mainly in politics for their own benefit and not for the benefit of the community
There is one law for the rich and one for the poor
Once you've got a job it's important to hang on to it even if you don't really like it
Management will always try to get the better of employees if it gets the chance
I would not mind if a family from another race moved in next door to me
For some crimes the death penalty is the most appropriate sentence
It does not really make much difference which political party is in power in Britain
Preserving the environment is more important than any other political issue today
s_q16
Please check you have completed all the questions
17

The following statements are about neighbourhoods. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement.

-

1 - Strongly agree

2 - Agree

3 - Neither agree or disagree

4 - Disagree

5 - Strongly disagree
I feel like I belong to this neighbourhood
The friendships and associations I have with other people in my neighbourhood mean a lot to me
If I needed advice about something I could go to someone in my neighbourhood
I borrow things and exchange favours with my neighbours
I would be willing to work together with others on something to improve my neighbourhood
I plan to remain a resident of this neighbourhood for a number of years
I like to think of myself as similar to the people who live in this neighbourhood
I regularly stop and talk with people in my neighbourhood
18
How often do you talk to any of your neighbours? Is it ...
1
On most days
2
Once or twice a week
3
Once or twice a month
4
Less than once a month
5
Never
s_q18
Please check you have completed all the questions
19

Here is a list of statements that people have used to describe their lives or how they feel. We would like to know how often, if at all, you think this applies to you?

-

1 - Often

2 - Sometimes

3 - Not often

4 - Never
My age prevents me from doing the things I would like to
I feel what happens to me is out of my control
I feel left out of things
I can do the things I want to do
Family responsibilities prevent me from doing what I want to do
I feel that I can please myself what I do
Shortage of money stops me from doing things I want to do
I look forward to each day
I feel that my life has meaning
I enjoy the things that I do
On balance, I look back on my life with a sense of happiness
I feel full of energy these days
I feel that life is full of opportunities
I feel that the future looks good for me
s_q19
Please check you have completed all the questions
20

Here is a list of things that people value. For each one please indicate on a scale from 1 to 10 how important each one is to you, where '1' equals 'Not important at all', and '10' equals 'Very important'.

-

1 - 1 Not important at all

2 - 2

3 - 3

4 - 4

5 - 5

6 - 6

7 - 7

8 - 8

9 - 9

10 - 10 Very important
Having a lot of money
Having children
Having a fulfilling job
Having a good marriage or partnership
21
Imagine that you are now 60 years old...please write a few lines about the life you are leading (your interests, your home life, your health and well-being and any work you may be doing).
Long text
Name

NCDS Age 50 Cohort Member Paper Self-Completion