Description

For sample adults who reported feeling sad, nervous, restless or fidgety, hopeless, worthless, or that everything was an effort at least "some of the time" during the past 30 days, AFEELINT1MO reports responses to the question, "Altogether, how much did these feelings interfere with your life or activities: a lot, some, a little, or not at all?"

The indicators of sample adults' feelings used to determine who was asked this question were based on variables from the Kessler 6 Scale (K6), which was developed by Ronald C. Kessler to measure nonspecific psychological distress over a 30-day reference period. Kessler's instrument asks how often, during the past 30 days, the respondent felt:

• So sad that nothing could cheer you up? (ASAD)

• Nervous? (ANERVOUS)

• Restless or fidgety? (ARESTLESS)

• Hopeless? (AHOPELESS)

• That everything was an effort? (AEFFORT)

• Worthless? (AWORTHLESS)

For each of these questions, respondents selected one of the following responses listed on a flashcard: "none of the time," "a little of the time," "some of the time," "most of the time," "all of the time."

Interviewers began by noting, "We just talked about a number of feelings you had during the past 30 days." Sample adults who responded "some of the time," "most of the time," or "all of the time" to any of these questions were asked the aforementioned question about how such feelings interfered with their life or activities. This follow-up question was not part of the tool designed by Kessler to measure nonspecific psychological distress or severe mental illness.

Comparability

This variable is completely comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 1997-2018

Weights

• 1997-2018 : SAMPWEIGHT