Aging, Status, and Sense of Control (ASOC), 1995, 1998, 2001 [United States]

The Aging, Status, and Sense of Control (ASOC) was conducted during 1995, 1998 and 2001 and examined the relationship between age and changes in the sense of control over one's life. Part I contains data for Waves I and II. Respondents were queried about their physical health, including activities of daily living such as shopping, walking, and doing housework, along with medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, breast cancer, diabetes, arthritis or rheumatism, osteoporosis, and allergies or asthma. Questions regarding mental health investigated difficulties staying focused, feelings of sadness or anxiety, and enjoyment of life. Respondents were also asked about their health behaviors, including use of tobacco and alcohol, frequency of exercise, use of medical services including insurance coverage, and the number of prescription medications used. Also examined was respondents' sense of control over their lives, including social support and participation, and history of adversity, which covered such topics as home or apartment break-ins or assaults, major natural disasters, unemployment longer than six months, and times without enough money for clothes, food, rent, bills, or other necessities. Demographic questions included age, sex, marital status, education, work status, marital and family relations, and socioeconomic status. Wave III (Part 2) was collected in 2001 and contains data on the same questions such as physical health, mental health and health behaviors.