Catalogue

Title details

SN:	5795
Title:	Millennium Cohort Study: Third Survey, 2006
Alternative title:	MCS3
Persistent identifier:	10.5255/UKDA-SN-5795-3
Series:	Millennium Cohort Study, 2001-
Depositor(s):	University of London. Institute of Education. Centre for Longitudinal Studies
Principal investigator(s):	University of London. Institute of Education. Centre for Longitudinal Studies
Data collector(s):	National Centre for Social Research
Sponsor(s):	Economic and Social Research Council Office for National Statistics Department for Education and Skills Department for Work and Pensions Department of Health Welsh Assembly Government Scottish Government Northern Ireland Executive
Other acknowledgements:	The Information Centre, Newcastle, Analytic and Services Branch, Department for Work and Pensions (formerly Department of Social Security) who: identified the main Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) sample from Child Benefit records, and ran an opt-out exercise for MCS1; provided a similar service to enable the inclusion in MCS2 of 'new families' (eligible for inclusion in MCS1 but not identfied in the records until after the completion of the first survey); and assisted with tracing families who had moved, for both MCS1 and MCS2. Members of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) funding consortium provided advice as well as funding. Individual academic advisers: Specialist advisers: Julia Brannen, Tim Cole, Leon Feinstein, Charlie Owen. Members of the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) internal team: Neville Butler, John Bynner, Elsa Ferri, Ian Plewis, Peter Shepherd and Kate Smith. Collaborators on the MCS included: Mel Bartley, Helen Bedford, Dermot Bowler, Leslie Davidson, Carol Dezateux, Harvey Goldstein, Kath Kiernan, Yvonne Kelly, Michael Marmot, Barbara Maughan, Alison McFarlane, Catherine Peckham, Chris Power, Ingrid Schoon and Marjorie Smith. Members of the Millennium Cohort Study Advisory Group, for advice on the form and content of MCS1, MCS2, MCS3 and MCS4.

Subject Categories

Abstract

Background: The original objectives of the first MCS survey, as laid down in the proposal to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in March 2000, were: to chart the initial conditions of social, economic and health advantages and disadvantages facing children born at the start of the 21st century, capturing information that the research community of the future will require to provide a basis for comparing patterns of development with the preceding cohorts (the National Child Development Study, held at the UK Data Archive under GN 33004, and the 1970 Birth Cohort Study, held under GN 33229) to collect information on previously neglected topics, such as fathers' involvement in children's care and development to focus on parents as the most immediate elements of the children's 'background', charting their experience as mothers and fathers of newborn babies in the year 2000, recording how they (and any other children in the family) adapted to the newcomer, and what their aspirations for her/his future may be to emphasise intergenerational links including those back to the parents' own childhood to investigate the wider social ecology of the family, including social networks, civic engagement and community facilities and services, splicing in geo-coded data when available Additional objectives subsequently included for MCS were: to provide control cases for the national evaluation of Sure Start (a government programme intended to alleviate child poverty and social exclusion) to provide samples of adequate size to analyse and compare the smaller countries of the United Kingdom The first sweep (MCS1) interviewed both mothers and (where resident) fathers (or father-figures) of infants included in the sample when the babies were nine months old, and the second sweep (MCS2) was carried out with the same respondents when the children were three years of age. The third sweep (MCS3) was conducted in 2006, when the children were aged five years, and the fourth sweep (MCS4) in 2008, when they were seven years old. Sub-sample studies: Some studies based on sub-samples of MCS have also been conducted, including a study of MCS respondent mothers who had received assisted fertility treatment, conducted in 2003 (see SN 5559). Also, birth registration and maternity hospital episodes for the MCS respondents are held as a separate dataset (see SN 5614). Weighting: Users should note that the weighting section in the 'Guide to the Datasets' document recommends analysis in Stata, as SPSS is not currently able to weight the data using the survey design factors. The depositor is working on a solution for SPSS, but this is not yet available. A Stata version of the dataset is available for download by registered users, alongside the SPSS and tab-delimited versions. MCS web pages: Further information about the MCS can be found on the Centre for Longitudinal Studies website.

While many of the areas covered in MCS3 built on the information already collected in MCS1 (age 9 months) and MCS2 (age 3 years), a number of new items were also included, such as the measurement of waist circumference. Information was gathered from the cohort members' parents or guardians for the main Parent Interview. In addition there were four cognitive assessments and three physical measurements of the cohort child, and a paper self-completion questionnaire for up to two older siblings aged 10-15 years. Latest edition: For the sixth edition (December 2012), an updated version of the derived variables dataset was added to the study. Syntax was also run on the parent interview dataset to remove some variables that had been updated and moved to the derived variables dataset - see 'READ' file for details. A new Derived Variables User Guide and an updated Guide to the Datasets have been added to the documentation. In August 2011, the Teacher Survey and Foundation Stage Profile data and documentation were removed from this study. They are now available in a separate study: SN 6847 - Millennium Cohort Study: Third Survey Teacher Survey and Foundation Stage Profile, 2006.

Main Topics: The files currently included in the MCS3 study comprise data from the main Parent Interview, the Household Grid, Child Measurement and Assessment and the Older Siblings questionnaire. The Parent Interview file comprises data from the Main Respondent, Partner Respondent and Proxy Respondent questionnaires, which covered household information; family context; early education, schooling and childcare; child and family activities and child's behaviour; parenting activities; child's health; parent's health; employment, income and education; housing and local area; and other matters. Information on the cohort child's older siblings was also gathered from the parent/partner by self-completion questionnaire, but these data are contained in the 'Older Siblings file'. The Household Grid file comprises demographic data on households and additional derived variables. The Child Assessments and Measurements file includes cognitive and physical measurements, including the 'Story of Sally and Anne' cognitive protocol; the British Ability Scales covering Picture Similarities, Naming Vocabulary and Pattern Construction; height; weight; and waist circumference. The Older Siblings file comprises data from the older siblings self-completion section of the main questionnaire, and from the self-completion questionnaire given to older siblings aged 10-15, which covered leisure time activities; extra activities at school; classes outside school; home life; health; school; behaviour; and perceptions of the local area.

Coverage, universe, methodology

Dates of fieldwork:	The MCS3 main stage fieldwork commenced in England and Wales in January 2006, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland in April 2006.
Country:	United Kingdom
Spatial units:	Countries Government Office Regions
Observation units:	Individuals Families and households
Kind of data:	Numeric Alpha-numeric
Universe:	National The sample population for MCS was drawn from all live births in the United Kingdom over 12 months (from 1 September 2000 in England and Wales and for 59 weeks from 22 November 2000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
Time dimensions:	Longitudinal/panel/cohort Four waves have been conducted to date: MCS1 (age 9 months), MCS2 (age 3 years), MCS3 (age 5 years) and MCS4 (age 7 years).
Sampling procedures:	Multi-stage stratified random sample
Method of data collection:	Face-to-face interview; Self-completion; Psychological measurements; Observation; Physical measurements
Weighting:	Weighting used. See documentation for details.

Keywords

ABILITY EVALUATION	ACCIDENTS	AGE
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION	ALLERGIES	ANTENATAL CARE
ASTHMA	ATTITUDES	BACK PAIN
BANK ACCOUNTS	BIRTH RECORDS	BOTTLE-FEEDING
BREAST-FEEDING	BRITISH POLITICAL PARTIES	BRONCHITIS
CANCER	CENTRAL GOVERNMENT	CHILD BEHAVIOUR
CHILD CARE	CHILD DAY CARE	CHILD NUTRITION
CHILD PSYCHOLOGY	CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS	CHILDREN
CHOICE	COHABITATION	COMMUNICATION SKILLS
COMMUNITIES	COMPUTERS	CONSUMER GOODS
COSTS	CRIMINAL DAMAGE	DEBILITATIVE ILLNESS
DELIVERY (PREGNANCY)	DEPRESSION	DERMATITIS
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY	DIABETES	DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISORDERS
DIVORCE	DOMESTIC APPLIANCES	DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITIES
DOMESTIC SERVICES	DOMESTIC VIOLENCE	ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
EDUCATION	EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT	EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENTS	EDUCATIONAL TESTS	EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
EMOTIONAL STATES	EMPLOYEES	EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION	EPILEPSY	ETHNIC GROUPS
FAMILIES	FAMILY DISORGANIZATION	FAMILY PLANNING
FATHERS	FATIGUE (PHYSIOLOGY)	FERTILITY TREATMENT
FINANCIAL RESOURCES	FINANCIAL SUPPORT	FOSTER CHILDREN
FOSTER PARENTS	FRIENDS	GENDER
GRANDPARENTS	HAPPINESS	HEALTH
HEARING IMPAIRMENTS	HEARING TESTS	HEATING SYSTEMS
HEIGHT (PHYSIOLOGY)	HOME OWNERSHIP	HOMELESSNESS
HOSPITALIZATION	HOUSEHOLDS	HOUSING
HOUSING CONDITIONS	ILL HEALTH	IMMUNIZATION
INCOME	INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT	INFANTS
INJURIES	INTERNET	INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS	LANGUAGES USED AT HOME	LEARNING
LITERACY	MARITAL HISTORY	MARITAL STATUS
MARRIAGE	MATERNITY LEAVE	MATERNITY PAY
MEDICAL CARE	MIDWIVES	MIGRAINES
MIXED MARRIAGES	MOTHERS	MOTOR VEHICLES
NATIONAL ELECTIONS	NEIGHBOURS	NEONATAL DEATHS
NEWSPAPER READERSHIP	NOISE POLLUTION	NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES
NUMERACY	ONE-PARENT FAMILIES	OPEN SPACES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS
OVERTIME	PARENT PARTICIPATION	PARENTAL ROLE
PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP	PARENTS	PATERNITY LEAVE
PERSONAL CONTACT	POLITICAL ALLEGIANCE	POLITICAL INTEREST
POLITICAL PARTIES	PREGNANCY	PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS
PRIMARY EDUCATION	PRIVATE GARDENS	PUBLIC TRANSPORT
QUALIFICATIONS	RACIAL CONFLICT	READING (ACTIVITY)
READING SKILLS	REFUSE	RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE	RELIGIOUS CONFLICT	RENTED ACCOMMODATION
RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE	RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY	ROOMS
SAFETY EQUIPMENT	SAVINGS	SCHOOL TEACHERS
SELF-EMPLOYED	SELF-ESTEEM	SHOPS
SMOKING	SOCIAL ATTITUDES	SOCIAL PROGRAMMES
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS	SOCIAL SUPPORT	SPEECH
SPOUSES	SPOUSE'S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY	SPOUSE'S EMPLOYMENT
SUPERVISORY STATUS	TAX RELIEF	TELEPHONES
TEMPORARY HOUSING	TIME	TOLERANCE
UNITED KINGDOM	VOTING	VOTING BEHAVIOUR
WAGES	WEIGHT (PHYSIOLOGY)	WIDOWED
WORKING MOTHERS	WORKING TIME	WRITING SKILLS

Administrative and access information

Date of release:
First edition:	18 March 2008
Latest edition:	10 December 2012 ( Edition 6 )
Copyright:	Copyright University of London. Centre for Longitudinal Studies
Access conditions:	The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. Additional special conditions of use also apply. See terms and conditions of access for further information.
Availability:	UK Data Service
Contact:	Get in touch

Documentation

Related studies and guides

Related studies:

Millennium Cohort Study: First Survey, 2001-2003 (SN 4683)
Millennium Cohort Study: Second Survey, 2003-2005 (SN 5350)
Millennium Cohort Study: Survey of Mothers who Received Assisted Fertility Treatment, 2003 (SN 5559)
Millennium Cohort Study, 2001-2003: Birth Registration and Maternity Hospital Episode Data (SN 5614)
Millennium Cohort Study: Fourth Survey, 2008 (SN 6411)
Millennium Cohort Study: Third Survey, Teacher Survey and Foundation Stage Profile, 2006 (SN 6847)
Millennium Cohort Study: Fourth Survey, Teacher Survey, 2008 (SN 6848)
Millennium Cohort Study: Second Survey, 2003-2005: Oral Fluid Collection Bioassay Data (SN 6993)
Millennium Cohort Study: Fourth Survey, Physical Activity Data, 2008 (SN 7238)
Millennium Cohort Study: First Survey, Health Visitor Survey, 2002-2003 (SN 7261)
Ethnicity Coding for the Millennium Cohort Study, First Survey, 2001-2003 (SN 6073)

Related case studies:

The effect of infertility and its treatment on child health and development
Does premature birth affect a child's long-term health or development?

Related support guides:

Guide to Millennium Cohort Study

Variables