Codes and Frequencies
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Description
Respondents reported whether their level of depression, the last time they felt depressed, was "a little," "a lot," or "somewhere in between a little and a lot." This question was only asked of respondents who reported feeling depressed (DEPFREQ) or who acknowledged taking medication for depression (DEPRX).
In 2010, this item was collected for sample adults who completed the Quality of Life supplement (administered to approximately a quarter of sample adults). In 2011-2017, this item was collected for sample adults who completed the Adult Functioning and Disability supplement (administered to a subset of sample adults). Beginning in 2018, this item was included on the sample adult questionnaire.
Comparability
There are changes in the universe over time. In 2010-2011, only persons who reported feeling depressed at least monthly or who took medication for those feelings were included for this variable. Beginning in 2012, persons who reported feeling depressed a few times year were also included; previously they were out of universe. Beginning in 2018, this item was included on the sample adult questionnaire. For specific information on how the universe changes, please refer to the "Universe" tab. As always, users should employ the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights.
The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.
Universe
- 2010: One quarter of sample adults, included in quality of life supplement (and excluded from family disability supplement), who feel depressed daily, weekly, or monthly (or for whom it was unknown how often they feel depressed) or who feel depressed a few times a year or never and take medication for depression (or for whom it was unknown if they take medication for depression).
- 2011: Sample adults 18+ who felt depressed daily, weekly, monthly, or refused to answer or didn't know how often they felt depressed OR who felt depressed a few times a year and never took medication for depression, or refused to answer or didn't know if they took medication for depression.
- 2012-2017: Sample adults 18+ who were asked the family disability questions (FDB) and were randomly selected to receive the Functioning and Disability (AFD) section, and felt depressed daily, weekly, monthly, a few times a year, or refused to answer or didn't know how often they felt depressed OR who took medication for depression, or refused to answer or didn't know if they took medication for depression.
- 2018: Sample adults 18+ who felt depressed daily, weekly, monthly, a few times a year, or refused to answer or didn't know how often they felt depressed OR who took medication for depression, or refused to answer or didn't know if they took medication for depression.
- 2019-2023: Sample adults 18+ who felt depressed daily, weekly, monthly, a few times a year, or refused to answer or didn't know how often they felt depressed (DEPFREQ) OR who took medication for depression, or refused to answer or didn't know if they took medication for depression (DEPRX).
Availability
- 2010-2023
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Weights
- 2018-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT
- 2010-2017 : SUPP1WT