Tekijät

• Pulkkinen, Lea (University of Jyväskylä. Department of Psychology)
• Kinnunen, Ulla (University of Jyväskylä. Department of Psychology)
• Kokko, Katja (University of Jyväskylä. Department of Psychology)

Asiasanat

adults, alcoholism, children, families, future, identity, labour and employment, life cycle, mental health, middle age, parental role, parents, partnerships (personal), smoking, unemployment, upbringing, values, working conditions

Sisällön kuvaus

The data are part of the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS), in which the same individuals have been followed over 30 years. The research stage also included a life situation questionnaire, personality tests, self-ratings based on various tests and methods, as well as a thorough medical examination. The interview focused on themes such as life structure, identity, self-image, alcohol, smoking, relationship, children, family life, work, and parents.

First, the respondents were asked to tell about their impulsiveness and the most central things in their everyday lives. Some questions pertained to different phases of life, happiness, and hopes and fears. The respondents also indicated how much they thought about and acted to improve their health, sexuality, quality of life, and financial well-being. Their attitudes were also charted on their views of life, religion, politics, and lifestyle. Political and social participation was queried, as well as the respondents' dreams in life and whether they had come true. Further questions charted the respondents' satisfaction with their partner and themselves, and how old they would like to be and why. Mid-life crisis and desired retirement age were queried.

Alcohol and drug use and smoking were surveyed, as well as well-being and psychological symptoms. Some questions concentrated on the respondents' leisure and recreational time. They were also asked to characterise their relationship with the help of various pictures and to tell about problems in their relationships caused by jealousness. In addition, the respondents were asked several questions on their children with topics such as the children's school success, friends, siblings, and punishment. Those who were divorced were asked about the custody of their children and the relationship between the absent parents and their children. Views on ideal distribution of house work were also canvassed.

Further questions pertained to work. Questions charted the significance of work, career goals, leadership, number of employees, stress, influencing one's own work, and creativity. Effects of unemployment were investigated, as well as work-life balance. Finally, the respondents' relationship with their parents and possible step parents was examined with the help of questions on the distance between their homes, similarity of values, and financial and mental support. The relationship between the respondents' parents and children was also canvassed.

The background variables included the respondent's gender.