Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS): Technical Report 2015

Detailed information on the fieldwork and data processing for the 2015 Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS).


Appendix F: Data specification

General Notes on this SALSUS 2015 Spec:

In general, if a question is left blank when it should have been answered as part of the normal routing of the questionnaire, it should be coded as -9 'not answered'.

If a question is left blank and it should indeed be blank due to the routing, code as -1 'not applicable'.

If a question has been answered even though it should have been skipped in the normal routing, it should also generally be coded as -1. However, there are a few questions where we have asked you to force answers based on the responses to follow-up questions, and these will be specifically outlined in the table below.

If a question has multiple responses where it should not, we have included instructions for how force the question to code as a single response (e.g., force to code closest to 4).

If there are no instructions for coding erroneous multiple responses for a particular question, force code to -9 'no answer'. These will be questions where forcing an answer is difficult because the response options are not scaled. Whenever there are multiple responses when there should not be, we would like you to flag the cases. Based on the number of respondents who chose multiple answers, we may want to change our method of forcing answers to make it randomised.

Qn Number Variable Base Edit rules
Q1 sex All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q2 classyr All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

All students with the same batch number (first 3 digits of number on cover sheet of q'aire) should have the same class year. By looking at the class year of other respondents with the same batch number, missing class years can be determined for students.

At the end of coding, please use the batch number provided for each class to determine class year where students have not answered or multi-coded this question and enter the appropriate classyr code (S2=1, S4=2).

Q3 month All IF NOT ANSWERED or MULTI-CODED, code 9 (September)
Q4 year All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as 3 if classyr = 2 and code 5 if classyr = 1 If multi-coded, force to oldest closest to code 1
Q5 whnlvskl All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to extreme (code closest to 1)

Smoking edits:
  • Correct multiples as per specification below
  • Edit Q12 (as per specification), clearing data if sum of cigarettes > 100
  • If Q7 not codes 4-6 and sum Q13 = 1, Q7 = 4
  • If Q7 not codes 4-6 and sum Q13 = 2-6, Q7 = 5
  • If Q7 not codes 4-6 and sum Q13 = 7+, Q7 = 6
  • If any (as per edit) - Q8-Q12, Q6 = 1
  • If Q7 = 4-6, Q6 = 1; If Q7 = 1-3, Q6 = 2
Q6 cgnow All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9.

Force to code 1 if Q7= 4 or 5 or 6.

Force to code 2 if Q7= 1 or 2 or 3.

Force to code 1 if any at Q8-Q12

Q7 cgstat All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to extreme (closest to 6)

Q8 cgfams Q7=4 or 5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded force to extreme (code closest to 1)

Q9 smhome Q7=4 or 5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-code force to extreme (code closest to 1)

Q10 cigsupm
cignews
ciggarg
cigvan
cigothsh
cigmark
cigint
cigfrel
cigelse
cigU18
cigadult
cidaddk
cigfgive
cigsgive
cigpgive
cigtake
cigother
Q7=4 or 5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q11 buy4smoke Q7=4 or 5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-code, force to most extreme (closest to code 1).

Q12 cigmon
cigtues
cigwed
cigthur
cigfri
cigsat
cigsun
Q7=4 or 5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT, IF any cigmon-cigsun >0 BACKCODE Q7 TO 1 AND Q8 AS CODE 4, OTHERWISE code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT ALL BLANK code as -9 'missing'

IF AT LEAST ONE (CIGMON-CIGSUN) > 0, CODE BLANKS AS 0

IF SUM (CIGMON-CIGSUN) >100, PLEASE EXCLUDE

Q13 cglong If Q7=5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to extreme (closest to code 4)

Q14 cgstop If Q7=5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to extreme (closest to code 1)

Q15 cglikstx If Q7=5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q16 cgevrstp If Q7=5 or 6

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q17 smfriend All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to most frequent (closest to code 1)

Q18 homesmk All

New question IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to extreme (closest to code 1)

Q19 carsmk All

New question IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to extreme (closest to code 1)

Q20 ecig All

New question IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to extreme (closest to code 7)

Q21 smcost All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q22 smmake All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

Question wording has changed - respondents are asked to include only up to 4 answers. Should be dealt with by coding though.

Q23 smkmum smkdad
smkbroth
smksist
smkgf
smbkfrnd
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF MULTI-CODED CODE 0 AND OTHER CODES - FORCE TO CODE 0 ONLY.

For all other multi-codes, force to most frequent (closest to code 1)

Order of answer options has changed but coding to remain the same as 2013 so:

Does not smoke = 3, Smokes occasionally = 2, Smokes daily = 1, Don't know = 4, Don't have or see this person = 0.

Q24 smconf
smsport
smslim
smpreg
smrelax
smheart
smlot
smcold
smharm
smcope
smsmell
smfun
smlung
smskin
smwind
smeasy
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded 1 and 2 code as 1

If multi-coded 3 and 4 code as 4

Any other multi-code code as -9

Q25 health All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 1)

Q26 longill All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded force to missing -9

Q27 activi Q26/1

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded force to missing -9

Q28 wwopti
wwuse
wwrelax
wwintr
wwenerg
wwprob
wwclear
wwgood
wwclose
wwconf
wwmind
wwlove
wwnew
wwcheer
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF MULTICODED, code as -9

1= none of the time
2= rarely

3= some of the time

4= often

5= all of the time

Q29 carer15 All

NEW question - replaces old carer question in 2013

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF MULTICODED, code as -9

Alcohol edits:
  • Correct multicodes for Q31-32 as specified
  • If Q31 = 1-6 and any at Q32, code Q30 as 1
  • If Q30 <> 1, clear Q31-42
  • If Q32 <> 1-3, clear Q33
Q30 alevr All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q31 alfreq Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 1)

Q32 allast Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 1)

Q33 drnk7 Q32=1-3

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q34 drunk Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 5)

Q35 argue
fight
doctor
offschl
vomit
trydrugs
trubplc
badwk
threat
hospadm
posted
text
regret
Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 3).

Added new variables in 2013 - badwk, threat, posted, text, regret

Q36 drkpub
drkclub
drkpty
drkhome
drkfhome
drkout
drkse
Q30=1 IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable' IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'
Q37 buypub
buyclub
buyoff
buyshop
buysupm
buyfri
buyrel
buyse
buyswe
buyweb
gethome
stealshp
Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

New variables added for 2013 - buyweb, gethome and stealshp

Removed variable for 2013 - buynev

Q38 buy4shop Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-code, force to most extreme (closest to code 1).

Q39 buy4pup Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multi-code, force to most extreme (closest to code 1).

Q40 buy4els Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicoded and Q59 = any, force to 1

IF multicoded and Q59 missing, force to -9

Q41 buy4who Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT force Q58 to code 1

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicoded force to -9.

Q42 alchome Q30=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multicoded force to extreme, closest to 1

Q43 mahome
pahome
stepma
steppa
grandma
grandpa
fostma
fostpa
bruv
sister
ahome
difhome
All

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF brohome>0 code bruv=1

IF sishome>0 code sister=1

If stepma = 1 AND mahome = 1, force stepma to 0.

If steppa = 1 AND pahome = 1, force steppa = 0.

brohome (number of brothers) All

If bruv= 1 and NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If bruv not=1 and NOT ANSWERED, code as -1

sishome (number of sisters) All

If sister= 1 and NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If sister not=1 and NOT ANSWERED, code as -1

Q44 ethnicity All

NEW question to replace old ethnicity question

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

I'd really like this to be single code - but I think coding may have dealt with it as a multicode.

I'm not entirely sure what the multicodes will be as we've simplified the question - could you send through and we can devise new rules for this question?

Q45 maknow1
maknow2
maknow3
maknow4
maknow5
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9.

IF CODED 'DON'THAVE OR SEE MOTHER -1 FORCE ALL CODES TO -1.

Q46 paknow1
paknow2
paknow3
paknow4
paknow5
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF CODED 'DON'T HAVE OR SEE FATHER FORCE ALL CODES TO -1.

Q47 talkma
talkpa
talkoth
All

NEW IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF MULTI-CODED CODE DON'T HAVE OR SEE AND OTHER CODES - FORCE TO CODE DON'T HAVE OR SEE ONLY.

IF MULTI 1+2, CODE 1

IF MULTI 3+4, CODE 4 IF MULTI (1-4) + 5, CODE (1-4)

Q48 owncash All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF MULTICODE force to extreme closest to 6

Q49 dgofcan
dgofgas
dgofamp
dgoflsd
dgofecs
dgofsem
dgofpop
dgoftrn
dgofher
dgofmsh
dgofmth
dgofcrk
dgofcok
dgofana
dgofmph
dgofghb
dgofket
dgofspc
dgofmdma
dgofsal
dgofcrys
dgofsyemp
dgofsystim
dgofsydiss
dgofsypsy
All

IF all variables missing, code as -9

IF some variables missing but any variables = 1, force missings to code 2

IF some variables missing but no variables = 1, force to missings to -9

New variable added 2015 - dgofcrys, dgofsyemp, dgofsystim, dgofsydiss, dgofsypsy

Deleted variables 2015 - dgoflhi, dgofoth

Q50 npsoff All

NEW IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicoded force to -9.

Q51 npsoffknw Q50 = 1

NEW IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicoded force to -9.

Q52 othdrgoff All

NEW IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicoded force to -9.

Q53 odoffknw Q52=1

NEW IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicoded force to -9.

Drug edits:
  • Clear Q54 if multied
  • Correct multicodes Q55 - Q66 as per spec
  • Count qualifiers at Q56, Q58, Q60 - Q66
  • Q56 = 1-3
  • Q58 = 1-3
  • Q60 = any
  • Q61 = 1
  • Q62 = 1
  • Q63 = any
  • Q64 = any
  • Q65 = any greater than 1
  • Q66 = any
  • Count any drug use at Q55 - exclude semeron
  • If qualifier count >1 or drug use >=1, Q54 = 1
  • If NO DRUG USED at q55 - i.e. count of code 4 = 24 and Q56 = 4 and Q58 = 4, Q54 = 2. This edit overrides the previous i.e. if something mentioned at Q60-66 but no drugs at Q55,56, and 58 Q70 = 2.
Q54 dgtake All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

IF multicoded force to -9

Q55 dgfqcan
dgfqgas
dgfqamp
ddfqlsd
dgfqecs
dgfqsem
dgfqpop
dgfqtrn
dgfqher
dgrqmsh
dgfqmth
dgfqcrk
dgfqcok
dgfqana
dgfqmph
dgfqghb
dgfqket
dgfqspc
dgfqmdma
dgfqsal
dgfqcrys
dgfqsyemp
dgfqsystim
dgfqsydiss
dgfqsypsy
If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF all missing code all missing as -9

IF some missing but any = 1-3 force missing to code 4

IF some missing but non = 1-3 force missing to -9

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 1)

New variable added 2015 - dgfqcrys, dgfqsyemp, dgfqsystim, dgfqsydiss, dgfqsypsy

Deleted variables 2015 - dgoflhi, dgofoth

Q56 npstak If Q54=1

NEW

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF MULTICODE FORCE TO most extreme, closest to 1

Q57 npstakknw If Q56 = 1

New

IF NOT ANSWERED CODE -9

Q58 othdrgtak If Q54=1

NEW

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF MULTICODE FORCE TO most extreme, closest to 1

Q59 odtakknw If Q58 = 1

NEW

IF NOT ANSWERED CODE -9

Q60 drugfreq If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If MULTICODE FORCE TO EXTREME CLOSEST TO 6

Q61 drugdrk If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF MULTICODE FORCE TO MISSING -9

Q62 drugmult If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

If multicoded = -9

Q63 drugsib
drugpeer
drugofr
drugyfr
drugpart
drugpar
drugsp
drugsdk
drugstr
drugwb
drugshp
drughome
drugse
If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q64 drugself
drugsold
druggave
If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q65 drugarg
drugfite
drughosp
drugscl
drugsick
drugtry
drugtro
drugdoc
drugreg
drugtext
drugthre
drugbad
drugpest
If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

IF multicode, force to most extreme (closest to code 3).

Q66 usehome
usesehom
useparty
usepub
useclub
useschl
useout
useoth
If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q67 drughelp If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q68 drugstop If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing' If multicoded = -9

Q69 helptch
helppar
helpfri
helpdsv
helpksw
helpkst
helptfw
helptft
helpclw
helpweb
helpdk
helpoth
If Q54=1

IF CODED HERE BUT SHOULD NOT code as -1, 'not applicable'

IF SHOULD HAVE CODED BUT MISSING code as -9 'missing'

Q70 drugease All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 1)

Q71 heradd
herdang
injhiv
injhepc
snifdam
cokedang
candang
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

Multicode 1+2 = -9

Multicode 1+3 = 1

Multicode 2+3 = 2

Q72 excite
helpadv
stupid
sellpun
legalhi
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

Multicode 1+2 = -9

Multicode 1+3 = 1

Multicode 2+3 = 2

New variable for 2013 - legalhi

Q73 fstdrink
fstdrunk
fstsmoke
fstdrugs
All

IF CROSSED 'NEVER' CODE AGE TO -1

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

For drinking and being drunk, if any people in the 'not stated' category answered 'no' at q32, they should be changed to 'never' in Q85.

For smoking, if any in the 'not stated' category answered 'no' at Q7', they should be 'never' at Q85. For drugs, if any in the 'not stated' category answered 'no' to Q70, they should be coded 'never' at Q85.

Add 10 to any answer under 5.

Q74 cigok
alcok
drunkok
glueok
canok
cokeok
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

Multicode 1+2 = -9

Multicode 1+3 = 1

Multicode 2+3 = 2

Q75 hivclass
hpbclass
hpcclass
All

If not answered, code as -9

Multicode 1+2 = -9

Multicode 1+3 = 1

Multicode 2+3 = 2

Q76 youth
drama
sports
comp
noclubs
clubdk
All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q77 seefrnds
music
films
cmpgame
shops
mags
books
wsport
dsport
cinema
street
hobby
frhouse
concert
church
volwork
socialnet
publib
museum
theatre
nothin
All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 1)

Q78 pcknow All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q78b Pcode All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -999
Q79 closefr All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to most extreme (closest to code 4)

Q80 agefr All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded force to code 4

Q81 withfrev All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

Code as in 2006 dataset.

If multi-coded TWO BOXES take force to highest answer given (code closest to 7)

IF MULTICODED 3 OR MORE BOXES, CODE AS NUMBER OF BOXES SELECTED (UP TO 7)

Q82 smclass
alclass
dgclass
All

NEW (ish was in in 2008)

If not answered, code as -9

If multicoded, code as -9

Q83 smrisk
alrisk
drgrisk
allife
drglife
aldecs
drgdecs
peerviews
All

NEW

If not answered, code as -9

If multicoded, code as -9

Q84 schalc
schdrg
schsm
schact
All

If not answered, code as -9

If multicoded, code as -9

Q85 infoneed
sayno
subsinfo
avoidal
avoiddrg
All

NEW

If not answered, code as -9

If multicoded, code as -9

Q86 likeskl All

IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9

If multi-coded, force to -9

Q87 pressu1 All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q88 Truant1 All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Q89 exclax All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
STRENGTHS AND DIFFICULTIES Q90 consid
resles
somatic
shares
tantrum
loner
obeys
worries
caring
fidgety
friend
fights
unhappy
popular
distrac
clingy
kind
lies
bullied
helpout
reflect
steals
oldbest
afraid
attends
All IF NOT ANSWERED, code as -9
Not true Somewhat true Certainly true
EMOTION
somatic 0 1 2
worries 0 1 2
unhappy 0 1 2
clingy 0 1 2
afraid 0 1 2
HYPERACTIVE
resles 0 1 2
fidgety 0 1 2
distrac 0 1 2
reflect 2 1 0
attends 2 1 0
CONDUCT
tantrum 0 1 2
obeys 2 1 0
fights 0 1 2
lies 0 1 2
steals 0 1 2
PEER PROBLEMS
loner 0 1 2
friend 2 1 0
popular 2 1 0
bullied 0 1 2
oldbest 0 1 2
PROSOCIAL
consid 0 1 2
shares 0 1 2
caring 0 1 2
kind 0 1 2
helpout 0 1 2
Instructions for missing postcodes For each missing postcode in a particular batch (batch numbers are provided for each class), please randomly select a postcode from the relevant batch and replace the missing postcode. Random selection should be conducted from the original postcodes given in a particular batch, and not from the 'imputed' postcodes.

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