Description

For sample adults who had used a relaxation technique during the past 12 months (RELBRETHYR, RELGIMYR, RELMEDYR, RELRELAXYR, RELSTRESYR, or RELSUPYR) and had told a conventional medical professional about their use of a relaxation technique (RELLCONVHP), RELLPSYCHO indicates whether they had reported their use of a relaxation technique to a psychologist or social worker.

In both 2002 and 2007, interviewers asked, "During the past 12 months, did you let any of these conventional medical professionals know about your use of a relaxation technique?" and handed the respondent a card listing several types of conventional health care practitioners. If the answer was affirmative (i.e., a "Yes" response in RELLCONVP), 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 the following:

• Medical doctor (including specialists) (RELLMD)

• Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (RELLNURS)

• Psychiatrist (RELLPSYCHI)

• Dentist (including specialists) (RELLDENT)

In 2007, the list included additional categories of conventional medical professionals. One such addition was "psychologist/social worker." The other categories of conventional medical professionals that were specified in 2007 only were:

• Pharmacist (RELLPHARM)

• Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) (RELLDO)

For more information about the full range of variables related to a relaxation technique, including definitions, see RELMEDYR.

Comparability

RELLPSYCHO is available for 2007 only. In both 2002 and 2007, information was collected on whether use of a relaxation technique was reported to a psychiatrist. For comparison of results between the two years, researchers may wish to combine the variables relating to psychiatrists and psychologists/social workers; see RELLPSYCHI for discussion.

For discussion of comparability issues affecting RELLPSYCHO and related variables, see RELLCONVHP. Only persons with a positive response in RELLCONVHP were asked the follow-up question for RELLPSYCHO.

Universe

Availability

• 2007

Weights

• 2007 : SAMPWEIGHT