IPUMS NHIS: descr: FLSOCIAL

IPUMS NHIS

NHIS
MEPS

NATIONAL HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY

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FLSOCIAL

How difficult social activities without special equipment

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Codes and Frequencies

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Case-count view

An 'X' indicates the category is available for that sample

Code	Label	18	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00	99	98	97
0	NIU	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
1	Not at all difficult	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
2	Only a little difficult	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
3	Somewhat difficult	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
4	Very difficult	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
5	Can't do at all	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
6	Do not do this activity	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
7	Unknown-refused	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
8	Unknown-not ascertained	·	X	X	X	X	·	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
9	Unknown-don't know	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Description

FLSOCIAL indicates whether sample adults had difficulty participating in social activities, such as visiting friends, attending clubs and meetings, and going to parties, by themselves without special equipment. This variable was one of a series asking about functional limitations.

The field representative began this section of the interview by stating, "The next questions ask about difficulties you may have doing certain activities because of a health problem. By 'health problem' we mean any physical, mental, or emotional problem or illness (not including pregnancy)." The actual question took the following form: "By yourself, and without any special equipment, how difficult is it for you to . . . participate in social activities such as visiting friends, attending clubs and meetings, and going to parties?"

Definitions[show more]

The term "difficult" was respondent-defined. A brief definition of "special equipment" based on examples (i.e., "such as a cane, a wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone") was part of the preceding question. The Field Representative's Manual for 1997 forward defined "special equipment" as "any device, tool, utensil, instrument, implement, etc., used as an aid in performing an activity because of a physical, mental, or emotional problem." The Manual for 1997-2000 continued, "This includes the use of adult 'diapers' for incontinence. However, ordinary eyeglasses and hearing aids should not be considered 'special equipment.' For example: a spoon is not normally considered as 'special equipment'; however, a uniquely designed or functioning one used for eating by a person because of physical, mental, or emotional problems is considered 'special equipment.'"

Beginning in 2001, the Field Representative's Manual formally defined the words "by yourself." Specifically, "By yourself is considered to be without the help from another person or without hands-on assistance with performing an activity. Another person may be a friend, relative, paid helper, volunteer from an agency or organization or anyone else who helps the family member in doing the activities mentioned. He or she may be a household member or a non-household member."

A formal definition of "health problem" was also included in the Field Representative's Manual, with only slight changes in wording over time. The Manual for 1997 stated:

'Problem' is the Sample Adult's perception of a departure from physical, mental, or emotional well-being. This includes specific health problems, such as a disease or condition, a missing extremity or organ, or any type of impairment. It also includes more vague disorders not always thought of as health related problems or illnesses, such as alcoholism, drug dependency or reaction, senility, depression, retardation, etc.

No definition of terms except the aforementioned definition of "health problem" as "any physical, mental, or emotional problem or illness (not including pregnancy) was routinely supplied to respondents during the interview.

Related Variables[show more]

Other questions in the series collected information about how difficult the sample adult found the following activities, if performed "by yourself and without using any special equipment":

Walking about 3 blocks (FLWALK3BL)

Standing for about 2 hours (FLSTAND2HR)

Walking up 10 steps without resting (FLCLIMB)

Sitting for about 2 hours (FLSIT2HR)

Stooping, bending, or kneeling (FLSTOOP)

Reaching above the head (FLREACH)

Grasping small objects (FLGRASP)

Carrying 10 pounds (FLCARRY)

Pushing large objects (FLPUSHLAR)

Going out for shopping (FLGOOUT)

Doing things to relax at home (FLRELAX)

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