Main survey variable: relationship Relationships of household members: EPNo is APNos

Relationships of household members: EPNo is APNos

Ego’s relationship to alter (i.e., _PNO’s relationship to _APNO). For waves collected as part of the BHPS, this variable is a recode of the unedited relationship variable (_REL), which is less detailed than _relationship, hence, there are a relatively high number of missing values. For UKHLS waves, this is the information collected in the household enumeration grid. Inconsistencies have been identified in both relationship grids and some of the errors are edited in the associated derived variable RELATIONSHIP_DV.

See RELATIONSHIP_DV REL_DV

Datafile

egoalt

Index terms

Derived variable note:

Ego's relationship to alter (i.e., _PNO's relationship to _APNO). For waves collected as part of the BHPS, this variable is a recode of the unedited relationship variable (_REL), which is less detailed than _relationship, hence, there are a relatively high number of missing values. For UKHLS waves, this is the information collected in the household enumeration grid. Inconsistencies have been identified in both relationship grids and some of the errors are edited in the associated derived variable RELATIONSHIP_DV.

See RELATIONSHIP_DV REL_DV

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	342	0.33%
refusal	-2	74	0.07%
don't know	-1	56	0.05%
Husband/Wife	1	19892	18.95%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	4716	4.49%
Civil Partner	3	210	0.2%
Biological son/daughter	4	25714	24.5%
Adopted son/daughter	5	227	0.22%
Foster child	6	68	0.06%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	915	0.87%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	409	0.39%
Biological parent	9	25714	24.5%
Adoptive parent	10	227	0.22%
Foster parent	11	68	0.06%
Step-parent	12	915	0.87%
Parent-in-law	13	409	0.39%
Biological brother/sister	14	17496	16.67%
Half-brother/sister	15	1472	1.4%
Step-brother/sister	16	238	0.23%
Adopted brother/sister	17	86	0.08%
Foster brother/sister	18	54	0.05%
Brother-in-law/Sister-in-law	19	332	0.32%
Grand-child	20	1075	1.02%
Grand-parent	21	1075	1.02%
Cousin	22	158	0.15%
Aunt/Uncle	23	440	0.42%
Niece/Nephew	24	440	0.42%
Other relative	25	222	0.21%
Employee	26	1	0.0%
Employer	27	1	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	104	0.1%
Landlord/Landlady	29	104	0.1%
Other non-relative	30	1678	1.6%
Legal child	32	19	0.02%
Legal parent	33	19	0.02%
	Total	104970	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	706	0.6%
refusal	-2	178	0.15%
don't know	-1	142	0.12%
Husband/Wife	1	22138	18.84%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	5320	4.53%
Civil Partner	3	256	0.22%
Biological son/daughter	4	28685	24.41%
Adopted son/daughter	5	281	0.24%
Foster child	6	83	0.07%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	1018	0.87%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	402	0.34%
Biological parent	9	28685	24.41%
Adoptive parent	10	281	0.24%
Foster parent	11	83	0.07%
Step-parent	12	1018	0.87%
Parent-in-law	13	402	0.34%
Biological brother/sister	14	19408	16.52%
Half-brother/sister	15	1774	1.51%
Step-brother/sister	16	206	0.18%
Adopted brother/sister	17	82	0.07%
Foster brother/sister	18	70	0.06%
Brother-in-law/Sister-in-law	19	348	0.3%
Grand-child	20	1077	0.92%
Grand-parent	21	1077	0.92%
Cousin	22	194	0.17%
Aunt/Uncle	23	495	0.42%
Niece/Nephew	24	495	0.42%
Other relative	25	318	0.27%
Employee	26	1	0.0%
Employer	27	1	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	146	0.12%
Landlord/Landlady	29	146	0.12%
Other non-relative	30	1992	1.7%
	Total	117508	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	207	0.22%
refusal	-2	136	0.15%
don't know	-1	70	0.08%
Husband/Wife	1	17102	18.56%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	3778	4.1%
Civil Partner	3	188	0.2%
Biological son/daughter	4	22559	24.48%
Adopted son/daughter	5	201	0.22%
Foster child	6	77	0.08%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	824	0.89%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	366	0.4%
Biological parent	9	22562	24.48%
Adoptive parent	10	201	0.22%
Foster parent	11	77	0.08%
Step-parent	12	824	0.89%
Parent-in-law	13	366	0.4%
Biological brother/sister	14	15854	17.2%
Half-brother/sister	15	1358	1.47%
Step-brother/sister	16	206	0.22%
Adopted brother/sister	17	72	0.08%
Foster brother/sister	18	52	0.06%
Brother-in-law/Sister-in-law	19	342	0.37%
Grand-child	20	942	1.02%
Grand-parent	21	942	1.02%
Cousin	22	182	0.2%
Aunt/Uncle	23	462	0.5%
Niece/Nephew	24	462	0.5%
Other relative	25	278	0.3%
Employee	26	1	0.0%
Employer	27	1	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	101	0.11%
Landlord/Landlady	29	101	0.11%
Other non-relative	30	1256	1.36%
	Total	92150	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	470	0.48%
refusal	-2	604	0.62%
don't know	-1	114	0.12%
Husband/Wife	1	17978	18.4%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	3724	3.81%
Civil Partner	3	196	0.2%
Biological son/daughter	4	23602	24.16%
Adopted son/daughter	5	232	0.24%
Foster child	6	87	0.09%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	871	0.89%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	372	0.38%
Biological parent	9	23602	24.16%
Adoptive parent	10	232	0.24%
Foster parent	11	87	0.09%
Step-parent	12	871	0.89%
Parent-in-law	13	372	0.38%
Biological brother/sister	14	16774	17.17%
Half-brother/sister	15	1458	1.49%
Step-brother/sister	16	248	0.25%
Adopted brother/sister	17	82	0.08%
Foster brother/sister	18	92	0.09%
Brother-in-law/Sister-in-law	19	358	0.37%
Grand-child	20	962	0.98%
Grand-parent	21	962	0.98%
Cousin	22	218	0.22%
Aunt/Uncle	23	512	0.52%
Niece/Nephew	24	512	0.52%
Other relative	25	354	0.36%
Employee	26	1	0.0%
Employer	27	1	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	129	0.13%
Landlord/Landlady	29	129	0.13%
Other non-relative	30	1482	1.52%
	Total	97688	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	106	0.1%
refusal	-2	34	0.03%
don't know	-1	20	0.02%
Husband/Wife	1	18882	17.6%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	4440	4.14%
Civil Partner	3	118	0.11%
Natural son/daughter	4	26324	24.54%
Adopted son/daughter	5	225	0.21%
Foster child	6	70	0.07%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	889	0.83%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	416	0.39%
Natural parent	9	26324	24.54%
Adoptive parent	10	225	0.21%
Foster parent	11	70	0.07%
Step-parent	12	889	0.83%
Parent-in-law	13	416	0.39%
Natural brother/sister	14	19536	18.21%
Half-brother/sister	15	1598	1.49%
Step-brother/sister	16	282	0.26%
Adopted brother/sister	17	108	0.1%
Foster brother/sister	18	50	0.05%
Brother/Sister-in-law	19	442	0.41%
Grand-child	20	1097	1.02%
Grand-parent	21	1097	1.02%
Cousin	22	258	0.24%
Aunt/Uncle	23	583	0.54%
Niece/Nephew	24	583	0.54%
Other relative	25	166	0.15%
Employee	26	2	0.0%
Employer	27	2	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	111	0.1%
Landlord/Landlady	29	111	0.1%
Other non-relative	30	1804	1.68%
	Total	107278	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	135	0.12%
refusal	-2	28	0.02%
don't know	-1	18	0.02%
Husband/Wife	1	19922	17.19%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	4632	4.0%
Civil Partner	3	118	0.1%
Natural son/daughter	4	28379	24.49%
Adopted son/daughter	5	247	0.21%
Foster child	6	70	0.06%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	997	0.86%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	451	0.39%
Natural parent	9	28379	24.49%
Adoptive parent	10	247	0.21%
Foster parent	11	70	0.06%
Step-parent	12	997	0.86%
Parent-in-law	13	451	0.39%
Natural brother/sister	14	21524	18.57%
Half-brother/sister	15	1754	1.51%
Step-brother/sister	16	316	0.27%
Adopted brother/sister	17	96	0.08%
Foster brother/sister	18	46	0.04%
Brother/Sister-in-law	19	578	0.5%
Grand-child	20	1190	1.03%
Grand-parent	21	1189	1.03%
Cousin	22	306	0.26%
Aunt/Uncle	23	657	0.57%
Niece/Nephew	24	657	0.57%
Other relative	25	192	0.17%
Employee	26	9	0.01%
Employer	27	9	0.01%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	139	0.12%
Landlord/Landlady	29	139	0.12%
Other non-relative	30	1946	1.68%
	Total	115888	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	368	0.3%
refusal	-2	64	0.05%
don't know	-1	20	0.02%
Husband/Wife	1	20794	16.96%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	4778	3.9%
Civil Partner	3	98	0.08%
Natural son/daughter	4	30005	24.47%
Adopted son/daughter	5	260	0.21%
Foster child	6	75	0.06%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	1055	0.86%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	479	0.39%
Natural parent	9	30005	24.47%
Adoptive parent	10	260	0.21%
Foster parent	11	77	0.06%
Step-parent	12	1055	0.86%
Parent-in-law	13	479	0.39%
Natural brother/sister	14	22826	18.61%
Half-brother/sister	15	2014	1.64%
Step-brother/sister	16	352	0.29%
Adopted brother/sister	17	106	0.09%
Foster brother/sister	18	48	0.04%
Brother/Sister-in-law	19	626	0.51%
Grand-child	20	1223	1.0%
Grand-parent	21	1223	1.0%
Cousin	22	324	0.26%
Aunt/Uncle	23	673	0.55%
Niece/Nephew	24	673	0.55%
Other relative	25	180	0.15%
Employee	26	3	0.0%
Employer	27	3	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	142	0.12%
Landlord/Landlady	29	142	0.12%
Other non-relative	30	2194	1.79%
	Total	122624	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	574	0.43%
refusal	-2	34	0.03%
don't know	-1	20	0.02%
Husband/Wife	1	22240	16.74%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	5132	3.86%
Civil Partner	3	104	0.08%
Natural son/daughter	4	32374	24.37%
Adopted son/daughter	5	255	0.19%
Foster child	6	88	0.07%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	1177	0.89%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	510	0.38%
Natural parent	9	32373	24.37%
Adoptive parent	10	255	0.19%
Foster parent	11	88	0.07%
Step-parent	12	1177	0.89%
Parent-in-law	13	510	0.38%
Natural brother/sister	14	25113	18.91%
Half-brother/sister	15	2086	1.57%
Step-brother/sister	16	426	0.32%
Adopted brother/sister	17	114	0.09%
Foster brother/sister	18	48	0.04%
Brother/Sister-in-law	19	712	0.54%
Grand-child	20	1250	0.94%
Grand-parent	21	1250	0.94%
Cousin	22	348	0.26%
Aunt/Uncle	23	713	0.54%
Niece/Nephew	24	713	0.54%
Other relative	25	178	0.13%
Employee	26	6	0.0%
Employer	27	6	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	158	0.12%
Landlord/Landlady	29	158	0.12%
Other non-relative	30	2634	1.98%
	Total	132824	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	426	0.3%
refusal	-2	92	0.06%
don't know	-1	105	0.07%
Husband/Wife	1	23218	16.39%
Partner/Cohabitee	2	5422	3.83%
Civil Partner	3	118	0.08%
Natural son/daughter	4	34423	24.29%
Adopted son/daughter	5	233	0.16%
Foster child	6	97	0.07%
Stepson/stepdaughter	7	1257	0.89%
Son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	529	0.37%
Natural parent	9	34424	24.29%
Adoptive parent	10	233	0.16%
Foster parent	11	97	0.07%
Step-parent	12	1257	0.89%
Parent-in-law	13	529	0.37%
Natural brother/sister	14	27090	19.12%
Half-brother/sister	15	2328	1.64%
Step-brother/sister	16	470	0.33%
Adopted brother/sister	17	80	0.06%
Foster brother/sister	18	76	0.05%
Brother/Sister-in-law	19	768	0.54%
Grand-child	20	1342	0.95%
Grand-parent	21	1342	0.95%
Cousin	22	322	0.23%
Aunt/Uncle	23	830	0.59%
Niece/Nephew	24	826	0.58%
Other relative	25	226	0.16%
Employee	26	3	0.0%
Employer	27	3	0.0%
Lodger/Boarder/Tenant	28	158	0.11%
Landlord/Landlady	29	158	0.11%
Other non-relative	30	3220	2.27%
	Total	141702	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
missing	-9	74	0.05%
refusal	-2	202	0.13%
don't know	-1	182	0.12%
husband/wife	1	24946	16.19%
partner/cohabitee	2	5764	3.74%
civil partner	3	148	0.1%
natural son/daughter	4	37130	24.1%
adopted son/daughter	5	263	0.17%
foster child	6	89	0.06%
stepson/stepdaughter	7	1337	0.87%
son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	620	0.4%
natural parent	9	37136	24.11%
adoptive parent	10	262	0.17%
foster parent	11	89	0.06%
step-parent	12	1337	0.87%
parent-in-law	13	620	0.4%
natural brother/sister	14	28994	18.82%
half-brother/sister	15	2342	1.52%
step-brother/sister	16	528	0.34%
adopted brother/sister	17	109	0.07%
foster brother/sister	18	72	0.05%
brother/sister-in-law	19	918	0.6%
grand-child	20	1454	0.94%
grand-parent	21	1454	0.94%
cousin	22	496	0.32%
aunt/uncle	23	1002	0.65%
niece/nephew	24	1002	0.65%
other relative	25	372	0.24%
employee	26	5	0.0%
employer	27	5	0.0%
lodger/boarder/tenant	28	257	0.17%
landlord/landlady	29	257	0.17%
other non-relative	30	4582	2.97%
	Total	154048	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
husband/wife	1	24200	17.02%
partner/cohabitee	2	5590	3.93%
civil partner	3	128	0.09%
natural son/daughter	4	34948	24.58%
adopted son/daughter	5	258	0.18%
foster child	6	98	0.07%
stepson/stepdaughter	7	1395	0.98%
son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	487	0.34%
natural parent	9	34948	24.58%
adoptive parent	10	258	0.18%
foster parent	11	98	0.07%
step-parent	12	1395	0.98%
parent-in-law	13	487	0.34%
natural brother/sister	14	25940	18.24%
half-brother/sister	15	2440	1.72%
step-brother/sister	16	490	0.34%
adopted brother/sister	17	88	0.06%
foster brother/sister	18	80	0.06%
brother-in-law/sister-in-law	19	532	0.37%
grand-child	20	1329	0.93%
grand-parent	21	1329	0.93%
cousin	22	264	0.19%
aunt/uncle	23	759	0.53%
niece/nephew	24	759	0.53%
other relative	25	272	0.19%
employee	26	1	0.0%
employer	27	1	0.0%
lodger/boarder/tenant	28	190	0.13%
landlord/landlady	29	190	0.13%
other non-relative	30	3248	2.28%
	Total	142202	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
husband/wife	1	25744	16.87%
partner/cohabitee	2	5964	3.91%
civil partner	3	120	0.08%
natural son/daughter	4	37442	24.53%
adopted son/daughter	5	246	0.16%
foster child	6	126	0.08%
stepson/stepdaughter	7	1494	0.98%
son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	535	0.35%
natural parent	9	37442	24.53%
adoptive parent	10	246	0.16%
foster parent	11	126	0.08%
step-parent	12	1494	0.98%
parent-in-law	13	535	0.35%
natural brother/sister	14	28144	18.44%
half-brother/sister	15	2498	1.64%
step-brother/sister	16	500	0.33%
adopted brother/sister	17	86	0.06%
foster brother/sister	18	130	0.09%
brother/sister-in-law	19	634	0.42%
grand-child	20	1387	0.91%
grand-parent	21	1387	0.91%
cousin	22	364	0.24%
aunt/uncle	23	919	0.6%
niece/nephew	24	919	0.6%
other relative	25	278	0.18%
employee	26	3	0.0%
employer	27	3	0.0%
lodger/boarder/tenant	28	216	0.14%
landlord/landlady	29	216	0.14%
other non-relative	30	3440	2.25%
	Total	152638	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
husband/wife	1	27934	16.98%
partner/cohabitee	2	6122	3.72%
civil partner	3	120	0.07%
natural son/daughter	4	40122	24.4%
adopted son/daughter	5	282	0.17%
foster child	6	111	0.07%
stepson/stepdaughter	7	1622	0.99%
son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	584	0.36%
natural parent	9	40122	24.4%
adoptive parent	10	282	0.17%
foster parent	11	111	0.07%
step-parent	12	1622	0.99%
parent-in-law	13	584	0.36%
natural brother/sister	14	31208	18.98%
half-brother/sister	15	2446	1.49%
step-brother/sister	16	524	0.32%
adopted brother/sister	17	80	0.05%
foster brother/sister	18	126	0.08%
brother-in-law/sister-in-law	19	756	0.46%
grand-child	20	1459	0.89%
grand-parent	21	1459	0.89%
cousin	22	510	0.31%
aunt/uncle	23	911	0.55%
niece/nephew	24	911	0.55%
other relative	25	318	0.19%
employee	26	3	0.0%
employer	27	3	0.0%
lodger/boarder/tenant	28	195	0.12%
landlord/landlady	29	195	0.12%
other non-relative	30	3744	2.28%
	Total	164466	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
husband/wife	1	30478	17.03%
partner/cohabitee	2	6740	3.77%
civil partner	3	112	0.06%
natural son/daughter	4	43511	24.31%
adopted son/daughter	5	345	0.19%
foster child	6	125	0.07%
stepson/stepdaughter	7	1845	1.03%
son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	589	0.33%
natural parent	9	43511	24.31%
adoptive parent	10	345	0.19%
foster parent	11	125	0.07%
step-parent	12	1845	1.03%
parent-in-law	13	589	0.33%
natural brother/sister	14	34360	19.2%
half-brother/sister	15	2530	1.41%
step-brother/sister	16	608	0.34%
adopted brother/sister	17	130	0.07%
foster brother/sister	18	184	0.1%
brother-in-law/sister-in-law	19	710	0.4%
grand-child	20	1452	0.81%
grand-parent	21	1452	0.81%
cousin	22	444	0.25%
aunt/uncle	23	918	0.51%
niece/nephew	24	918	0.51%
other relative	25	300	0.17%
employee	26	7	0.0%
employer	27	7	0.0%
lodger/boarder/tenant	28	260	0.15%
landlord/landlady	29	260	0.15%
other non-relative	30	4288	2.4%
	Total	178988	100.0%

Value label	Value	Absolute frequency	Relative frequency
don't know	-1	392	0.21%
husband/wife	1	29352	16.06%
partner/cohabitee	2	6594	3.61%
civil partner	3	94	0.05%
natural son/daughter	4	43454	23.77%
adopted son/daughter	5	317	0.17%
foster child	6	121	0.07%
stepson/stepdaughter	7	1830	1.0%
son-in-law/daughter-in-law	8	645	0.35%
natural parent	9	43454	23.77%
adoptive parent	10	317	0.17%
foster parent	11	121	0.07%
step-parent	12	1830	1.0%
parent-in-law	13	645	0.35%
natural brother/sister	14	35584	19.47%
half-brother/sister	15	2648	1.45%
step-brother/sister	16	714	0.39%
adopted brother/sister	17	162	0.09%
foster brother/sister	18	192	0.11%
brother/sister-in-law	19	1150	0.63%
grand-child	20	1524	0.83%
grand-parent	21	1524	0.83%
cousin	22	918	0.5%
aunt/uncle	23	1167	0.64%
niece/nephew	24	1167	0.64%
other relative	25	274	0.15%
employee	26	6	0.0%
employer	27	6	0.0%
lodger/boarder/tenant	28	239	0.13%
landlord/landlady	29	239	0.13%
other non-relative	30	6110	3.34%
	Total	182790	100.0%

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relationship

Datafile

Index terms

Derived variable note:

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Saved variables

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Datafile

Index terms

Derived variable note:

Wave 15 (o_relationship egoalt)

Wave 14 (n_relationship egoalt)

Wave 13 (m_relationship egoalt)

Wave 12 (l_relationship egoalt)

Wave 11 (k_relationship egoalt)

Wave 10 (j_relationship egoalt)

Wave 9 (i_relationship egoalt)

Wave 8 (h_relationship egoalt)

Wave 7 (g_relationship egoalt)

Wave 6 (f_relationship egoalt)

Wave 5 (e_relationship egoalt)

Wave 4 (d_relationship egoalt)

Wave 3 (c_relationship egoalt)

Wave 2 (b_relationship egoalt)

Wave 1 (a_relationship egoalt)

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Saved variables

What else is Understanding Society doing?

Understanding Society Wave 15

Understanding Society Wave 15 – what can data users expect?

Understanding Society used for Gender Equality Index

Understanding Society Biosocial Conference 2026: combining biological and social data

Email newsletter

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