Description

For sample persons age 18 and older, and who reported to have experienced stress within the last year, EMOHELPOTH1 reports whether or not the person sought help from some other source not included on the interviewer's predefined list. Interviewers were instructed not to read the list, but to note all response categories mentioned.

The list included: a family member or relative, a friend (neighbor and/or peer), a medical doctor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a (psychiatric) social worker, some other mental health professional (therapist/counselor), a religious counselor (religious support group/religious therapy group/minister), Alcoholics Anonymous (Al Anon/Alateen), an at-work counselor (at work support group/at work therapy group), National Alliance for the mentally Ill (only in 1990), some other self-help group(only in 1990), Gamblers Anonymous(only in 1985), Weight Watchers(only in 1985), a counselor at school(only in 1985), and a probation officer(only in 1985).

In 1985, for affirmative responses, the survey specifies the order in which the first four sources of help were mentioned. If the person mentioned more than four sources of help, responses beyond the first four sources of help mentioned are not ordered.
Users interested in a "yes" response about the use of some other source of help (regardless of the order in which it was mentioned), should combine all response categories that indicate an affirmative response, as well as EMOHELPOTH2 and EMOHELPOTH3.

For changes in the sample universe and response options, please refer to the Comparability tab.

EMOHELPOTH1 is part of a series of variables related to sources of help with adult personal or emotional problems. For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

Small changes in the universe occurred between 1985 and 1990. In 1990, this question was asked only of persons who knew what stress was. In 1985 this question was asked regardless of whether the person knew what stress was.

Several changes also occurred in the response options. In 1985, the order with which the person named the sources of help was recorded, whereas in 1990 it was not. However, in 1990 the person was asked additional questions related to the extent to which each source of help was used (see for example, EMOAMTOTH).

Finally note that this specific category changes slightly between the two years. In 1985, up to three "other" categories were recorded. EMOHELPOTH1 is one of them; the other two are EMOHELPOTH2 and EMOHELPOTH3. In 1990, only one "other" category was recorded, hence only EMOHELPOTH1 is available for this year.

Universe

Availability

• 1985, 1990

Weights

• 1985, 1990 : SAMPWEIGHT