Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults who had used high dose or megavitamin therapy (2002) or had taken vitamin or mineral supplements (2007) during the past 12 months (VITYR and VITANY) and had told a conventional medical professional about their use of high dose/megavitamin therapy or vitamin/mineral supplements (VITYLCONVHP), VITLPSYCHI indicates whether they had reported their use of high dose/megavitamin therapy or vitamin/mineral supplements to a psychiatrist.
Data Collection
In 2002, interviewers asked, "During the past 12 months, did you let any of these conventional medical professionals know about your use of high dose or megavitamin therapy?" In 2007, the question was nearly identical but referred to "vitamins" rather than "high dose or megavitamin therapy." In both years, the interviewer then handed the respondent a card listing several types of conventional health care practitioners. If the answer was affirmative (i.e., a "Yes" response in VITYLCONVHP), interviewers asked the follow-up question, "Which ones [did you tell]?" and noted, "You may choose more than one."
In both 2002 and 2007, the list of conventional medical professionals included, along with "psychiatrist":
- Medical doctor (including specialists) (VITYLMD)
- Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (VITYLNURS)
- Dentist (including specialists) (VITYLDENT)
In 2007, the list included additional categories of conventional medical professionals:
- Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) (VITLDO)
- Psychologist/Social Worker (VITLPSYCHO)
- Pharmacist (VITLPHARM)
For more information about the full range of variables related to vitamins, including a definition of "high dose or megavitamin therapy," see VITYR and VITANY.
Comparability
The list of conventional medical practitioners on the card shown to respondents was shorter in 2002 than in 2007.
For example, the only type of mental health professional listed in 2002 was "psychiatrist"; in 2007, however, both "psychiatrist" and "psychologist/social worker" were listed. Some respondents may have treated "psychiatrist" as a general category for "mental health professional/therapist" in 2002, but this was probably less common in 2007, when psychologists and social workers were accorded a separate category on the flashcard.
Researchers may wish to try combining the psychiatrist and psychologist/social worker categories to increase comparability for VITLPSYCHI between 2002 and 2007.
Only sample adults with a positive response in VITYLCONVHP are included in the question universe for VITLPSYCHI. For discussion of comparability issues for VITYLCONVHP, see the documentation for that variable.
Universe
- 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have used high dose or multivitamin therapy for their health or treatment during the past 12 months and have let a conventional medical professional know about their use of high dose or megavitamin therapy.
- 2007: Sample adults age 18+ who have used vitamins during the past 12 months and have let a conventional medical professional know about their use of vitamins.
Availability
- 2002, 2007
Weights
- 2002, 2007 : SAMPWEIGHT
