Understanding Society Wave 9 data now available

Understanding Society Wave 9 includes a set of modules that are carried every two waves, and so were last carried at Wave 7. These include modules on:

• Social Care
• Discrimination and harassment
• Exercise and nutrition
• Family networks
• Parents and children and child maintenance.

Also included on the two year rotation are self-completion modules on alcohol consumption and partner relationships.

Modules that are asked every three years and which are included in Wave 9 include:

• Neighbourhood conditions
• The groups and organisations respondents belong to
• Social networks
• News and media use.

In the self-completion section of the survey respondents were asked about neighbourhood belonging; politics and political engagement. One module on sexual orientation was last carried in Wave 3 and was repeated again in Wave 9. There was also one event-triggered module in Wave 9 on the General Election.

New content in Wave 9

The Study added modules on:

• Non-UK education qualifications
• Pension drawdown
• Reasons for giving up smoking
• Loneliness
• A child-specific module on parental help with homework and tutoring.

The youth questionnaire for Wave 9 included new content on Smartphone usage; long-term disabilities and the number of days a week breakfast is eaten.

Revisions to previous waves

At each new data release Understanding Society also improves and revises the previous waves of data. This document outlines the revisions that have taken place for this release, which include new variables for higher education and the distances moved by respondents. Also included are some new weights and probabilities.

Need help using these data?

The mainstage user guide has been updated with the Wave 9 information. If you have questions about using these data you can contact our User Support Forum or join the weekly online helpdesk hour.

You can access Wave 9 here.