2010 July 50 Number 1,ies Ser

Design and Operation of 

the National Survey of 

Adoptive Parents, 2007 
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reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is

appreciated.

Suggested citation

Bramlett MD, Foster EB, Frasier AM, et al. Design and operation of the National

Survey of Adoptive Parents, 2007. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 1(50). 2010.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Design and operation of the National Survey of Adoptive Parents, 2007.

p. ; cm.— (Vital and health statistics. Ser. 1, Program and collection

procedures ; no. 50) (DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 2010–1326)

‘‘February 2010.’’

Authors, MD Bramlett . . . [et al.].

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN-13: 978–0-8406–0633-4

ISBN-10: 0–8406-0633–8

1. National Survey of Adoptive Parents, (U.S.) 2. Adoption—United States. I.

Bramlett, Matthew D. II. National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.) III. Series:

Vital and health statistics. Ser. 1, Programs and collection procedures ; no. 50.

IV. Series: DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 2010–1326.

[DNLM: 1. National Survey of Adoptive Parents (U.S.) 2. Adoption—United

States—Statistics. 3. Data Collection—United States—Statistics. 4. Health

Surveys—United States—Statistics. 5. Parent–Child Relations—United

States—Statistics. W2 A N148va no. 50 2010]

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Series 1, Number 50

Design and Operation of

the National Survey of Adoptive

Parents, 2007

Program and Collection Procedures

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Hyattsville, Maryland

July 2010

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 2010–1326
National Center for Health Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Jane F. Gentleman, Ph.D., Director
Contents 

Acknowledgments ......................................................................................... vi 

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Introduction ............................................................................................... 1 

State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey (SLAITS) ..................................................... 2 

History of SLAITS ....................................................................................... 2 

Background ............................................................................................... 2 

Development of the Survey Instrument ....................................................................... 3 

Sample Design............................................................................................. 4 

National Immunization Survey Sampling Plan ................................................................. 4 

National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) Sample Design and Allocation ....................................... 5 

Drawing the Sample ...................................................................................... 5 

Conducting National Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP) Interviews............................................... 5 

Questionnaire .............................................................................................. 6 

Content................................................................................................. 6 

Significant Changes During Data Collection ................................................................... 6 

Computer-assisted Telephone Interviewing Programming......................................................... 7 

Interviewer Training ........................................................................................ 7 

Training Sessions......................................................................................... 7 

Mock Interviews ......................................................................................... 7 

Data Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Pretesting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Advance Letters.......................................................................................... 7 

Toll-free Telephone Number ................................................................................ 8 

Selection of Sampled Child ................................................................................ 8 

Selection of Respondent ................................................................................... 8 

Informed Consent ........................................................................................ 8 

Assurance of Confidentiality................................................................................ 9 

Interview Length ......................................................................................... 9 

Interview Breakoffs....................................................................................... 9 

Cases Pending at Close of Data Collection ................................................................... 10 

Incentive Effort ......................................................................................... 10 

Response Rates ......................................................................................... 10 

Quality Control ........................................................................................... 12 

Quality Control of Interviewing ............................................................................ 12 

Quality Control of Data .................................................................................. 12 

Weighting Procedures ...................................................................................... 12 

Base Weight............................................................................................ 12 

Adjustment for Incomplete NSAP Screener................................................................... 13 

Adjustment for Incomplete NSAP Interview .................................................................. 13 

Raking Adjustment ...................................................................................... 13 

Quality Control of Weighting .............................................................................. 13 

Imputation of Relevant Variables ........................................................................... 13 

iii
Public-use Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Editing ................................................................................................ 14 

Missing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Coding of Verbatim Answers Into Question Responses ......................................................... 14 

Edits to Protect Confidentiality............................................................................. 14 

Derived Variables ....................................................................................... 16 

Dummy Variables ....................................................................................... 17 

Additional Data Notes.................................................................................... 17 

Quality Control ......................................................................................... 18 

Estimation and Hypothesis Testing............................................................................ 18 

Variables Used for Variance Estimation ...................................................................... 18 

Variance Estimation Using SUDAAN or Stata ................................................................ 19 

Variance Estimation for Subsets of the Data .................................................................. 19 

Weighted Frequencies, Prevalence Estimates, and Standard Errors ................................................ 19 

Guidelines for Data Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Further Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

References ............................................................................................... 20 

Appendixes

Appendix I............................................................................................... 21 

Sampling and Weighting Technical Summary ................................................................. 21 

Appendix II .............................................................................................. 25 

Banked Sample ......................................................................................... 25 

Appendix III ............................................................................................. 26 

Questionnaire ........................................................................................... 26 

Appendix IV ............................................................................................ 129 

Summary of Questionnaire Changes During Data Collection.................................................... 129 

Appendix V ............................................................................................. 130 

Pretest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 

Appendix VI ............................................................................................ 135 

Letters Sent to Sampled Households ....................................................................... 135 

Appendix VII............................................................................................ 142 

Disposition Code Frequencies and Response Rate Calculation .................................................. 142 

Appendix VIII ........................................................................................... 144 

Incentive Effort ........................................................................................ 144 

Appendix IX ............................................................................................ 146 

Nonresponse Bias Analysis............................................................................... 146 

Appendix X ............................................................................................. 152 

Coding of Verbatim Answers Into Question Responses ........................................................ 152 

Appendix XI ............................................................................................ 154 

Percentage Estimates and Weighted Frequencies by Type of Adoption ............................................ 154 

Text Tables

A. Augmentation sample by state .......................................................................... 5 

B. Number and percentage of NSAP respondents by relationship to sampled child .................................. 8 

C. Mean and median length of the NSAP interview ........................................................... 9 

D. Final disposition of the 2007 NSAP sample .............................................................. 10 

E. NSAP weighted response rates......................................................................... 11 

F. NSAP alternative weighted response rates ............................................................... 11 

iv
Appendix Tables

I.	 Summary statistics for NSAP final weight .............................................................. 24 

II.	 NSAP final case dispositions ......................................................................... 142 

III.	 Unweighted response rate calculations for NSAP......................................................... 143 

IV.	 Case status after initial $25 incentive .................................................................. 145 

V.	 Interview completion rates by NSAP incentive type ...................................................... 145 

VI.	 Percentage of children by demographic and health characteristics for respondents and nonrespondents in NSAP ..... 146 

VII.	 Percentage of children by household socioeconomic and demographic characteristics for respondents and 

nonrespondents in NSAP ............................................................................ 147 

VIII.	 Percentage of children by NSCH characteristics similar to NSAP data elements for respondents and nonrespondents 

in NSAP ......................................................................................... 148 

IX.	 Percentage of children by demographic and health characteristics in the final NSAP and for all NSAP-eligible 

cases ............................................................................................ 149 

X.	 Percentage of children by household socioeconomic and demographic characteristics in the final NSAP and for all 

NSAP-eligible cases ................................................................................ 150 

XI.	 Percentage of children by NSCH characteristics similar to NSAP data elements in the final NSAP and for all NSAPeligible cases...................................................................................... 151 

XII.	 Unweighted and weighted estimates of the frequency and percentage of children by type of adoption .............. 154 

v
Acknowledgments 

The National Survey of Adoptive

Parents (NSAP) was sponsored and

funded by the Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

and the Administration for Children and

Families, both of the U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services. The

project director is Laura Radel.

The survey was conducted by the

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for

Health Statistics (NCHS) as a module of

the State and Local Area Integrated

Telephone Survey (SLAITS). The

SLAITS director is Marcie Cynamon,

and the NSAP director is Matthew

Bramlett. Design, production, and

analytic assistance for this project were

provided by Rosa Avila, Stephen

Blumberg, Julian Luke, and Kathleen

O’Connor. CDC’s National Center for

Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

graciously permitted the use of the

National Immunization Survey sampling

frame for this survey.

NORC at the University of Chicago

conducted all interviews for this project.

Technical assistance was contributed by

Nada Ganesh, Tracie Carroll, Shannon

Ten Broeck, Enyinnaya Adighibe, and

Erin Raasch. Gretchen Caspary, Kirk

Wolter, Kennon Copeland, and Tiffani

Balok provided management support.

The report was edited by Barbara J.

Wassell, Demarius V. Miller, and Laura

Drescher, CDC/NCHM/Division of

Creative Services, Writer-Editor Services

Branch; it was typeset by Annette F.

Holman, NCHS/OD, Office of

Information Services, Information

Design and Publishing Branch. The

outline and some of the text for this

report were extracted with permission

from the 2008 report, Vital and Health

Statistics, Series 1, No. 45, ‘‘Design and

Operation of the National Survey of

Children With Special Health Care

Needs, 2005–2006.’’

Finally, we extend our appreciation

to the thousands of parents and other

family members who were willing to

share their stories. Their efforts made

this project a reality.

vi
Objective

This report presents the

development, plan, and operation of the

National Survey of Adoptive Parents

(NSAP), a module of the State and

Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey

conducted by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention’s National

Center for Health Statistics. NSAP was

designed to produce national estimates

of the characteristics, health, and

well-being of adopted children and their

families, the preadoption experiences of

the adoptive parents, and their access

to and utilization of postadoption

supports and services. Funding for the

survey was provided by the Office of

the Assistant Secretary for Planning

and Evaluation and the Administration

for Children and Families, both of the

Department of Health and Human

Services.

Methods

The National Survey of Children’s

Health, 2007 (NSCH) was a randomdigit-dial telephone survey of

households with children under age 18

years. In households with more than

one child, one child was randomly

selected to be the subject of the

interview. Children identified as

adopted, who did not live with a

biological parent and who lived in

households where English was spoken,

were eligible for the NSAP follow-up

interview. The NSAP interview was a

call-back scheduled at the end of the

NSCH telephone interview. Sampled

children included those adopted from

other countries, from the U.S. foster

care system, and from private domestic

sources. Respondents were either the

adoptive mother or the adoptive father.

Results

A total of 2,089 NSAP interviews

were completed from April 2007 to July

2008. The interview completion rate

(i.e., cooperation rate) for eligible

respondents was 74.4%. The overall

response rate, taking into account

nonresponse to NSCH, was 34.6%.

Keywords: adoption c foster care c

adoption services c child health

Design and Operation of the

National Survey of Adoptive

Parents, 2007

by Matthew D. Bramlett, Ph.D., National Center for Health Statistics,

Division of Health Interview Statistics; Erin B. Foster, M.S.T., Alicia

M. Frasier, M.P.H., Jennifer Satorius, M.S.W., Benjamin J. Skalland,

M.S., Kari L. Nysse-Carris, Ph.D., Heather M. Morrison, M.A., and

Sadeq R. Chowdhury, Ph.D., NORC at the University of Chicago

Introduction 

Several agencies within the

Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS), including the Office of

the Assistant Secretary for Planning and

Evaluation (ASPE), the Administration

for Children and Families (ACF), and

the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for

Health Statistics (NCHS), collaborated

to develop the National Survey of

Adoptive Parents (NSAP). Administered

for the first time in 2007, NSAP focused

on the characteristics and needs of

adopted children and their adoptive

families. The survey was tailored to

collect data from three types of adoptive

families:

+	 Those who adopted through the U.S.

foster care system.

+	 Those who adopted internationally.

+	 Those who adopted through

domestic private sources.

Because of the relatively low

prevalence of adoptive families in the

United States, surveys of this population

have typically been conducted using

targeted list samples. NSAP cases,

however, were screened by

administration of a parent survey—the

2007 National Survey of Children’s

Health (NSCH). NSCH identifies

households with children under age 18

years and selects one child from each

household to be the subject of a broader

interview. Once NSCH had identified

the selected child as adopted,

respondents were invited to also

participate in the NSAP interview. As a

result, the NSAP sample had much

better coverage than prior efforts to

survey adoptive families and was able to

provide much-needed data on

+	 Adopted child and family

characteristics.

+	 Parent and child well-being.

+	 Adoption agreements and

postadoption financial services.

+	 Postadoption nonfinancial support.

These data, combined with data

collected in the NSCH interview, should

provide researchers with previously

unavailable insights into adoptive

families and their health and well-being.

The content of NSCH is broad,

addressing a variety of physical,

emotional, and behavioral health

indicators and measures of children’s

health experiences with the health care

system. The survey includes an

extensive battery of questions about the

family, including parental health, stress

and coping behaviors, family activities,

and parental concerns about their

children. NSCH also asks respondents

for their perceptions of the child’s

neighborhood environment (1).

Both NSCH and NSAP were

administered as modules of the State

and Local Area Integrated Telephone

Survey (SLAITS), a telephone survey

mechanism designed to benefit from the

extensive random-digit-dial (RDD)

sampling investment made by CDC’s

Page 1
Page 2 [ Series 1, No. 50

National Immunization Survey (NIS).

The synchronicity among NIS, NSCH,

and NSAP enabled NSAP to take

advantage of a singularly robust RDD

sample design and yet field a new

survey in a highly cost-effective manner.

Furthermore, the association with NSCH

enriches each NSAP case with a wealth

of additional information on the health

and well-being of NSAP children and

their families.

State and Local Area

Integrated Telephone

Survey (SLAITS)

The SLAITS program, conducted

by NCHS, is a broad-based, ongoing

survey system available at the national,

state, and local levels for tracking and

monitoring the health and well-being of

children and adults. Surveys conducted

as part of the SLAITS system use the

same sampling frame as NIS and

immediately follow NIS in selected

households, using the NIS sample for

efficiency and economy. NIS is a

large-scale RDD telephone survey that

screens households for the presence of

young children and collects

immunization history information for

children aged 19–35 months. To achieve

an adequate sample of households with

children in this age range, NIS contacts

over 1 million households per year to

determine if they contain age-eligible

children. The process of identifying this

large number of households—most of

which are ineligible for NIS—provides

an economical opportunity to administer

other surveys on a range of health- and

welfare-related topics in an operationally

seamless, cost-effective, and statistically

sound manner.

Surveys conducted as part of the

SLAITS system vary in content,

duration, and sample size, based on the

research needs of their sponsors.

Sponsors work with NCHS to establish

parameters, including sample size,

questionnaire design, and other survey

requirements. Since 2005, NORC at the

University of Chicago has implemented

all aspects of the survey operations

under contract with NCHS, including

development and testing of the

computer-assisted telephone interview

(CATI) instrument, recruiting and

training interviewers, completing the

targeted number of interviews, and

preparing data files and documentation.

NCHS is responsible for all aspects of

SLAITS administration.

History of SLAITS

SLAITS began in 1997 with a pilot

test in two states (Iowa and Washington)

of a series of questions on health,

including issues of access to care, health

status, and insurance. In 1998, a

SLAITS module concerning child

well-being and welfare issues was

implemented using three samples: a

Texas RDD sample, known Medicaid

program participants seeded into the

Texas RDD sample, and known

Medicaid or MinnesotaCare participants

in Minnesota. The first national SLAITS

module was fielded in 2000—the

National Survey of Early Childhood

Health collected data from a national

sample regarding parents’ perceptions of

their children’s pediatric care and

examined relationships between the

promotion of health in the pediatric

office and promotion of health in the

home (2).

In 2000–2002, SLAITS fielded the

first National Survey of Children with

Special Health Care Needs (NS–

CSHCN), which was designed to collect

data on children who had special health

care needs, on children’s health

insurance coverage, and on uninsured

children from low-income households

(3). This was the first SLAITS module

to take full advantage of the NIS

sampling frame to produce state-level

estimates. In 2003, SLAITS fielded the

first iteration of NSCH, which examined

the physical and emotional health of

children aged 0–17 years (4). In 2003,

SLAITS also fielded the National

Asthma Survey, which examined the

health, socioeconomic, behavioral, and

environmental factors that relate to

better control of asthma for children and

adults (5). In 2005–2006, SLAITS

fielded the second iteration of

NS–CSHCN (6), and in 2007 SLAITS

fielded the second iteration of NSCH

concurrently with NSAP.

Background 

NSAP was jointly funded by ASPE

and ACF, both agencies of HHS. ASPE

advises the Secretary of HHS across the

many topical areas within the

department’s areas of responsibility.

ASPE leads special initiatives;

coordinates the department’s evaluation,

research, and demonstration activities;

and manages cross-department planning

activities such as strategic planning,

legislative planning, and review of

regulations. Integral to this role, ASPE

conducts research and evaluation

studies, develops policy analyses, and

estimates the cost and benefits of policy

alternatives under consideration by the

department and the Congress. Within

ASPE, the Office of Human Services

Policy focuses on economic self

sufficiency and human services delivery

issues, as well as policies affecting

children, youth, and families. The office

works closely with ACF and a variety of

other agencies and departments. ASPE

has a long history of research in foster

care and adoption issues, having

published over 40 research reports on

the topic over the past two decades. All

of ASPE’s related publications may be

found on its web site at: http://

aspe.hhs.gov, under the topic heading

Child Welfare.

ACF is responsible for federal

programs that promote the economic

and social well-being of families,

children, individuals, and communities.

Within ACF, support for NSAP came

from the Children’s Bureau, which

works with state and local agencies to

develop programs that focus on

protecting children from maltreatment,

providing services to children and

families to assist with reunification

efforts, and finding permanent

placements for those children who

cannot safely be returned to their birth

families. The bureau seeks to provide

for the safety, permanency, and

well-being of children through

leadership, support for necessary

services, and productive partnerships

with states, tribes, and communities. It

administers over $2 billion in funding

for adoption programs under several

legislative authorities. These programs
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 3

are intended to support state and local

efforts to recruit adoptive families for

children in foster care and to support

these families over time and include (a)

the title IV–E Adoption Assistance

Program, which provides adoption

subsidies to many families that adopt

children with special needs from the

foster care system; (b) the Adoption

Opportunities Program, which funds

demonstration grants to fuel innovation

in foster care adoption practice; (c) the

Promoting Safe and Stable Families

Program, which includes funding for

adoption promotion and support

services; and (d) the Adoption

Incentives Program, which provides

incentive funds to states that increase

the number of foster care adoptions they

perform in several categories. The

Children’s Bureau also administers the

Infant Adoption Awareness Training

Program, authorized by the Children’s

Health Act, which trains staff of eligible

health centers in providing adoption

information and referrals to pregnant

women. The bureau funds the national

adoption recruitment campaign, in

partnership with the Ad Council, as well

as the AdoptUsKids project, which

provides fulfillment activities to the

campaign, operates the national

photo-listing site of waiting children,

and provides training and technical

assistance to states on the recruitment

and retention of foster and adoptive

parents. In addition, the bureau funds

the National Resource Center for

Adoption, which provides training and

technical assistance to states on a

variety of adoption issues.

NSAP was intended to gather

information on the characteristics of

adopted children and their families and

to gain insight into their adoptionrelated experiences and postadoption

service utilization and needs. Much of

the social services literature views

adoption as an end-point in the search

for an adoptive family for the child and

gives relatively little attention to

children’s needs and well-being after the

adoption has been finalized or to

families’ potential ongoing challenges.

As the number of children adopted from

both foster care and international

sources has grown in recent years, there

has been increased interest in

understanding children’s long-term

well-being following adoption. However,

for government agencies involved in

adoption, contact with families is

usually extremely limited following

finalization. In addition, because

children’s names, social security

numbers, and other potentially

identifying information may change at

the time of adoption, it is not usually

possible to use administrative data to

track children’s use of government

assistance or services from the

preadoption to the postadoption periods.

Most federal activity and funding

related to adoption applies to adoptions

from foster care. However, in recent

years the negotiation and ratification of

the Hague Convention on Intercountry

Adoption has increased the role of the

State Department with respect to

children adopted internationally. This

international treaty, which entered force

in the United States in 2008, is intended

to protect the rights of all parties

involved in intercountry adoptions: the

child, the birth parents, and the adoptive

parents. The enhancement of a

population-based survey made it

possible to look across adoption types

for a view of the full range of adoptive

families, as well as to provide the

opportunity for comparisons among

families adopting from different sources.

Although not a formal partner in NSAP,

staff at the State Department with

expertise in intercountry adoption issues

were consulted at several points during

the survey’s development to ensure that

issues specific to international adoptions

were addressed to the extent possible.

The number of children adopted

from foster care increased dramatically

in the late 1990s, in part as a result of

the Adoption and Safe Families Act of

1997, which emphasized the need to

find permanent alternatives for children

in foster care who could not be reunited

with their birth families. As a result, in

many states the number of adopted

children receiving adoption subsidies

currently exceeds the number of

children in foster care. Information on

the experiences of families who have

adopted can provide insight into the

factors that facilitate or hinder the

success of adoptions and into the

postadoption supports that may be

helpful to ensure the continued

well-being of adopted children and their

families. In addition, with respect to

children adopted from foster care, a

better understanding of how families

utilize adoption subsidy funds for their

children’s well-being may help

demonstrate the usefulness of subsidies

in recruiting families for children in

foster care.

By describing the reasons why

families adopt, as well as the

characteristics of adoptive families and

the children they adopt, the information

obtained through NSAP may be useful

in developing ways to better identify

and communicate with potential

adoptive parents for children in the U.S.

foster care system. The information

should also improve our understanding

of the types of support that adoptive

families find most helpful. In addition,

NSAP should provide data on openness

in adoptions, transracial and

transcultural aspects of adoption, and

adoption satisfaction across adoption

types.

Development of the Survey

Instrument

In August 2005, ASPE issued a task

order to the Urban Institute and to

NORC at the University of Chicago to

develop the instrument for the National

Survey of Adoptive Families.

Development began with an effort to

locate as many previous adoption

surveys as possible. Urban Institute staff

conducted an extensive literature review

of adoption research to identify past

surveys and other related research

regarding adoption. Survey instruments

used in these research efforts were

obtained and categorized according to

the part of the adoption process they

addressed and by the topics covered.

Results were compiled into a

comprehensive planning document

identifying existing survey questions on

each topic of importance. The planning

document was used to construct the

survey instrument by choosing the most

relevant questions on desired topics

from existing surveys and constructing

new questions on several topics that

were not adequately addressed in any of
Page 4 [ Series 1, No. 50

the preexisting instruments. The

ordering of questions was adjusted to

flow in a way that made sense as a

telephone interview, and transitional

scripts were added to guide the

respondent from one section of the

survey to another.

ASPE and ACF staff reviewed draft

questions, suggested new topics for

inclusion and sources of questions, and

provided overall supervision throughout

the questionnaire and survey design

process. Staff at the State Department’s

Office of Children’s Issues concerned

with intercountry adoptions were also

consulted to ensure that the survey

adequately addressed issues regarding

intercountry adoption and that questions

were worded in a way that made sense

for families adopting from international

as well as domestic sources.

Before finalizing the instrument,

both cognitive interviews and a small

instrument pretest were conducted. The

cognitive interviews were conducted

with a convenience sample of

participants, consisting of five parents

who had adopted through foster care,

one who had adopted privately, and one

who had adopted internationally. The

goal of the cognitive interviews was to

learn how the survey questions sounded

in the ear of an adoptive parent. Did the

terminology make sense? Did the order

of the questions flow well? Were parents

able to answer the questions as they

were asked? After each subsection of

the questionnaire, participants were

asked about certain items that might

have been confusing. Feedback from the

cognitive interviews was used to inform

a new draft of the instrument, which

was used in the instrument pretest. The

instrument pretest was also a

convenience sample and consisted of

three international adoptive parents,

three parents who had adopted through

foster care, and two who had adopted

privately. The main goal of the

instrument pretest was to learn about the

timing and flow of the instrument.

However, because participants also

provided feedback on the items

themselves, the pretest served to inform

the wording and content of the

instrument.

Following the instrument pretest,

decisions were made about the final

inclusion of questions, with a number of

items being dropped to ensure that the

survey fit within the time constraints of

an approximately 30-minute interview.

Sample Design

As noted above, eligibility

screening for NSAP was conducted as

part of the 2007 NSCH interview (7).

Therefore, the initial sample of

telephone numbers for NSAP was the

same as for NSCH. The remainder of

this section describes the NSCH

sampling design.

As with all SLAITS modules,

NSCH took advantage of the large

number of screening calls required for

NIS. To accomplish the goal of 1,700

completed NSCH interviews in each

state, telephone numbers were initially

selected from the numbers randomly

selected for the NIS screening effort.

Therefore, the procedures for drawing

the NIS sample were the first steps in

the procedures for drawing the NSCH

sample. There were, however, some

states for which the NIS sample was not

large enough to achieve the desired

number of completed NSCH interviews.

In these cases, additional sample (called

‘‘augmentation sample’’) was drawn for

the purpose of administering the NSCH

interview without going through NIS

first.

The next two sections describe the

basic NIS sample design and serve as a

nontechnical description of the NSCH

sample design and allocation procedures.

Appendix I of this report includes a

more technical description of the NSCH

and NSAP sample design and weighting

procedures. For more detail on the NIS

sample design, refer to 2007

Methodology Report: National

Immunization Survey, chapter 2 (8),

which is available on request from

NCHS. Further information regarding

NIS can be found in Zell et al.,

‘‘National Immunization Survey: The

methodology of a vaccination

surveillance system’’ (9) and online at:

http://www.cdc.gov/nis.

National Immunization

Survey Sampling Plan

NIS was established to monitor

vaccination levels of very young

children within states and local areas.

These ‘‘estimation areas’’ are

nonoverlapping and cover the United

States, and each estimation area is

enclosed within the borders of a single

state. In effect, each quarter-year NIS

conducts a separate survey in each

estimation area, using a common sample

design. The target number of completed

interviews in each sampling area reflects

the goal of obtaining equally precise

estimates in each estimation area. If

necessary, the target for a sampling area

in each quarter is adjusted to

compensate for its total shortfall or

excess in the previous quarters.

The target population for NIS is

children aged 19–35 months—the

primary focus of immunization

programs. Because less than 5% of

households in the United States contain

children in this age range, NIS screens

more than 1 million households per year

to identify a sufficient number of

households with eligible children.

SLAITS modules use this NIS screening

sample.

NIS uses the list-assisted method of

RDD (10,11). This method selects a

random sample of telephone numbers

from ‘‘banks’’ of 100 consecutive

telephone numbers (e.g., 773–256–0000

to 773–256–0099) that contain at least

one directory-listed residential telephone

number. The sampling frame of

telephone numbers is updated each

quarter to reflect new telephone

exchanges and area codes. Although the

number of cellular telephone users in

the United States has increased rapidly,

as of 2007 most households with children

continued to maintain landline telephone

service (12). Also, most cellular

telephone users pay for incoming calls.

Therefore, the NIS sampling frame

excluded cellular telephone exchanges in

2007.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 5

National Survey of

Children’s Health (NSCH)

Sample Design and

Allocation

The number of children to be

selected for NSCH in each NIS

sampling area was determined by

allocating the total sample size of

children in the state to each sampling

area within the state in proportion to the

total estimated number of households

with children in the sampling area.

Given this allocation, the number of

households that needed to be screened

in each sampling area was calculated

using the expected proportion of

households with children under age 18

years in the area. Then, the number of

telephone lines that needed to be called

was computed using the expected

working residential number rate and

accounting for expected nonresponse.

Drawing the Sample

After the number of telephone lines

necessary to achieve the target number

of interviews in each area had been

estimated, the samples were drawn. The

sample draw proceeded in three steps.

First, telephone lines were sampled in

each area as described above. Next, a

portion of these telephone lines in each

area was flagged to be part of the NIS

Teen sample—a sample designed to

assess the vaccination coverage of

teenagers. Finally, a portion of the

telephone lines in each area was flagged

to be part of the NSCH sample. Thus,

after these steps, every telephone line to

be called for NIS screening fell into one

of four categories: (a) NIS only, (b) NIS

and Teen, (c) NIS and NSCH, or (d)

NIS, Teen, and NSCH. An effort was

made to flag both Teen and NSCH for

as few telephone lines as possible, but

some overlap between the two sample

segments was necessary in quarter 1 of

2008 (Q1/2008).

In nine states (Connecticut,

Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi,

Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and

Utah), insufficient NIS sample was

available to obtain the desired number

Table A. Augmentation sample by state

Percent of

sample called

State only for NSCH1

Connecticut...................... 17.8

Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9

Idaho ......................... 18.8

Kansas ........................ 7.9

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6

Montana ....................... 8.5

North Dakota..................... 10.8

Oklahoma....................... 17.0

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.0

1

NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health.

of completed NSCH interviews.

Therefore, augmentation samples of

additional telephone lines were drawn in

these states and categorized as

NSCH-only samples. Table A shows the

proportion of the total NSCH sample

that was augmented for each state. That

is, for each state in Table A, the

proportion listed is the proportion of the

total sample called only for NSCH and

not for NIS.

Conducting National

Survey of Adoptive Parents

(NSAP) Interviews

Each telephone number selected for

NSCH was called and screened for

residential status and the presence of

NIS age-eligible children. (The

augmentation sample was an exception

because it was selected and called solely

for NSCH and not NIS. These

households were not screened for NIS

age-eligible children.) NIS interviews

were conducted if age-eligible children

lived in the household. If NIS

age-eligible children did not live in the

household, interviewers asked if there

were any children under age 18 years

living in the household. Regardless of

whether an NIS interview was

conducted, if there were children in the

household, one child was randomly

selected to be the subject of the NSCH

interview. If there was only one child in

the household, that child was selected as

the subject of the interview.

Households were called and

interviews were administered from April

5, 2007, through July 27, 2008. In

Q4/2007, NIS began a separate survey

of vaccination rates among teenagers:

the ‘‘NIS Teen’’ survey. A national NIS

Teen sample was fielded in quarter 4 of

2007, and state-based sampling began in

Q1/2008. During Q1/2008, some

households were flagged to receive both

the NIS Teen and NSCH interviews (if

eligible). Once the NSCH interview had

been completed, if the selected NSCH

child was found to be eligible for NSAP

(i.e., the child was adopted, the adoption

had been finalized, no biological parents

of the child lived in the household, and

the NSCH respondent spoke English),

an attempt was made to conduct an

NSAP interview about that child.

With the exception of the possible

NIS Teen/NSCH overlap in Q1/2008,

the sampling and interviewing process

described above applied to the entire

data collection period except for

Q1/2007. For Q1/2007, after the

telephone numbers were called and

finalized for NIS, a subsample of this

initially selected sample was drawn, and

it was this subsample that was dialed for

NSCH interviewing. Because the

numbers in Q1/2007 were first allowed

to finalize for NIS before being

subsampled and called back at a later

date to attempt NSCH interviews, this

sample is referred to as the ‘‘banked’’

sample. More detail regarding the reason

the sample was banked and the

subsampling scheme can be found in

Appendix II.
Page 6 [ Series 1, No. 50

Questionnaire 

Content

The NSAP interview contained

sections covering the six topics

described below. A copy of the

questionnaire appears in Appendix III.

+	 Adoption eligibility screening and

demographic characteristics. This

section asked about the country of

origin (for international adoptions

only), the relationship of the

respondent to the child, the current

marital status of the adoptive

parent(s), the adoption agencies

involved in the adoption, whether

the adoption was an interstate

adoption, and questions regarding

the foster parent(s) and length of

stay if the adoptive parent was a

foster parent to the child prior to

adoption. Demographic data

collected on NSCH were not

repeated on the NSAP interview.

+	 Characteristics. This section

gathered information about the

adopted child and his or her

situation before adoption, including

age at adoption finalization; age at

first placement in home; whether the

child ever lived with the birth

family or had birth siblings; whether

the child had any of several

behavioral disorders or

developmental problems; whether

the child had needed treatment from

mental health professionals, had

used alcohol or drugs (asked only

for teens), had been arrested (asked

only for teens), or had been

pregnant (asked only for teens); and

the child’s native language and

educational experiences. In addition,

this section gathered information

about the adoptive parent(s),

including whether they had their

own biological children, their

reasons for adopting, what types of

adoptions they had considered, their

reasons for choosing a specific type

of adoption, and whether they chose

activities or moved because of the

child’s race or culture. This section

also collected data on information

provided to the adoptive parent(s)

before adoption, including whether it

was an open adoption, whether there

was any relationship with the birth

family, the level of involvement of

adoption attorneys or caseworkers,

and whether any psychological

report, medical history, or

educational records were provided.

+	 Parent and child well-being. This

section gathered data on the

relationship between the respondent

and the adopted child in terms of

affection, understanding, distance,

and trust; the child’s relationships

with other members of the family;

the child’s feelings about being

adopted; whether the respondent

would recommend adoption to

others based on his or her

experience; whether the child had

spent time away from home due to

behavioral issues; and whether the

respondent had thought about or

taken action on ending the adoption

and, if so, what their reasons were

for wanting to end the adoption.

+	 Adoption agreement and

postadoption financial services.

This section inquired about the

existence of an adoption agreement

and a monthly subsidy; the total

costs associated with adoption; the

respondent’s Medicaid experience;

the mental health care needs of the

child; mental health medications;

dental care needs; medical care

needs, including vision and hearing;

who paid for all of these services

for the adopted child; and the

federal tax credit for adoption.

+	 Postadoption nonfinancial support.

This section contained questions on

postadoption services, including

adoption support groups for the

adopted child, adoption support

groups for the respondent or his or

her spouse or partner, mental health

care or counseling for the adopted

child, family counseling, crisis

counseling, alcohol or drug

evaluation or treatment for the

adopted child, education and child

care services, respite care,

residential treatment or psychiatric

care, and information or education

received about adoption.

+	 Final demographics. This section

collected other demographic data not

previously collected in NSCH,

including the year of the

respondent’s birth, the year of the

respondent’s spouse’s or partner’s

birth, ethnicity and race of the

respondent and of the spouse or

partner, and the respondent’s

employment status.

Significant Changes During

Data Collection

During the course of data

collection, a number of changes were

made to the questionnaire to improve

the quality of data collected and to

address concerns voiced by respondents

or interviewers. The first significant

changes occurred in Q3/2007 and

involved the following items or scripts:

+	 Skip logic concerning question

S3_N was modified to accept

answer fills from NSCH if the

parent had reported having a partner

during administration of NSCH.

+	 Introductory text for questions

C12_INTRO, C22A, C23A_N, and

C24A was modified to highlight the

focus of these questions as separate

and distinct from question C12.

+	 Question W13 was repositioned so

that it would be asked immediately

after question W8. This improved

the questionnaire flow because

questions with the same response

options were grouped together.

+	 Skip logic was incorporated at

question F3. If the parent had

previously indicated that he or she

did not receive a monthly subsidy

payment, F3 was skipped.

+	 Skip logic was added to questions

N14aa1 through N14aa4. If a parent

indicated that a particular health

insurance carrier paid for all

expenses related to residential

treatment, then the interview

instrument did not ask whether other

types of insurance covered the costs.

+	 At the beginning of Q3, the

estimated interview length provided

to parents in the informed consent

script was modified downward from

40 minutes to 35 minutes. On July

18, 2008, this estimate was further

modified from 35 minutes to ‘‘about

half an hour.’’
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 7

An additional change occurred in

Q1/2008:

+	 The skip logic for questions

CPC12C and CPC12E was rewritten

to indicate which respondents should

answer C12C and C12E,

respectively, rather than which

respondents should be directed away

from these questions. The

modification allowed these questions

to be asked only when appropriate.

Other minor questionnaire changes

made during the course of data

collection are described in Appendix IV.

Computer-assisted

Telephone Interviewing

Programming

NSAP was conducted using a CATI

system. The CATI data collection

software presents the questionnaire on a

computer screen to each interviewer and

guides the interviewer through the

questionnaire, automatically routing to

the appropriate questions based on

answers to previous questions.

Interviewers enter survey responses

directly into the computer; the CATI

program determines whether the selected

response is within an allowable range

and saves the responses in a survey data

file. Online help screens and text are

available to aid interviewers. This data

collection technology reduces the time

required for transferring, processing, and

releasing data and ensures accurate

questionnaire flow.

The NSAP questionnaire was

programmed as a module of NIS and

NSCH, integrating the surveys into a

single interview. As noted above, the

instrument made full use of the CATI

system’s ability to check whether a

response was within a legitimate range

and to follow skip patterns. It also filled

state-specific information in questions as

applicable (for example, names of state

health insurance programs) and

employed ‘‘pick lists’’ for response

categories. Certain household and

demographic questions were identical in

the NIS, NSCH, and NSAP portions of

the interview. If a respondent answered

these questions during NIS or NSCH

administration, the system did not repeat

the questions in NSAP. Instead, the

answers to these questions in NIS or

NSCH were copied to the data file for

NSAP, as appropriate. Once initial

programming was completed, the

instrument underwent rigorous testing to

ensure correct functioning of the CATI

system.

Interviewer Training

NORC at the University of Chicago

conducted all interviews for NSAP.

Interviewer training was conducted by

NORC staff at the production center in

Chicago, Illinois. All interviewers

selected to attend the training were

previously certified staff. In all, 32

NSAP interviewers were trained at the

Chicago production center in April

2007, and all 32 passed the training.

Training Sessions

The interviewer training sessions

(for both the pretest and main survey)

began with an introduction and project

overview. Interviewers were informed

about project goals, the purpose and

importance of the study, study sponsors,

and the study design. The screener and

each section of the questionnaire were

reviewed, with emphasis on quality data

collection. The relationship between

NSCH and NSAP was also covered.

Several cooperation-gaining

exercises were conducted throughout the

training to ensure that interviewers were

equipped to answer frequently asked

questions (FAQs) and to handle refusals.

Part of the exercises included a review

of the FAQs and other job aids provided

for interviewers.

Mock Interviews

Two types of mock interviews were

used during training: demonstration and

round-robin. The demonstration mock

interviews were led by the trainer and

focused on the screener and on gaining

cooperation. The first round-robin mock

interview was integrated into a

section-by-section lecture that

progressed through the questionnaire.

The interviewers would first listen to a

lecture regarding each section and then

practice moving through that section in

CATI before moving on to a discussion

of the next section. This approach

ensured that interviewers became

acclimated to the questionnaire, to

navigating CATI, and to gaining

cooperation as new topics were

introduced.

Two additional round-robin mock

interviews were then conducted that

simulated real interviewing situations in

real time. In one case, a privately

adopted child was the subject of the

interview; the second case focused on a

foster care adoption. Each mock

interview was designed to highlight

various sections of the screener and the

main questionnaire and to provide

different cooperation-gaining scenarios.

Data Collection

Pretesting

A pretest of the CATI instrument

was fielded in December 2006. A total

of 61 completed interviews were

obtained over the course of 3 days from

a sample of volunteers. This volunteer

pool of adoptive parents was compiled

through a snowball sample. E-mails

were sent to NORC at the University of

Chicago staff and NCHS staff, and then

on to any friends or relatives who had

adopted children or knew someone who

had adopted children.

The NSCH instrument was

administered first. The administration

time for the NSCH interview averaged

32 minutes for all NSCH pretest

respondents, and the administration time

for the NSAP interview averaged 40

minutes. Based on results from the

CATI pretest, changes were made to the

instrument and the production version

was finalized. See Appendix V for

further details.

Advance Letters

When a mailing address could be

identified for a sampled telephone

number, an advance letter was mailed

prior to any telephone calls. Letters
Page 8 [ Series 1, No. 50

were mailed for 58.8% of the telephone

numbers dialed by the interviewers,

which was 31.0% of the telephone

numbers randomly generated. (Some

known business and nonworking

telephone numbers were removed from

the sample of randomly generated

telephone numbers prior to dialing.) In

the letter, recipients were asked to

participate in a voluntary study on the

immunization status of their children

and the types of health and related

services their children need and use. The

letter advised recipients that their

telephone number had been chosen

randomly and indicated that they might

be called in the next few weeks. A

toll-free telephone number was provided

for those who wished to participate

immediately or to learn more about the

study. The NSAP letters sent to

households are shown in Appendix VI.

Toll-free Telephone

Number

A toll-free telephone line

established for both NSCH and NSAP

offered respondents the flexibility to call

at their convenience if they had

questions about the survey, wanted to

complete the interview, or wished to

submit feedback on any aspect of the

survey. The telephone line was an

especially useful resource for

NSAP-eligible households that had

already devoted time to NSCH and

wanted to complete NSAP at another

time. Advance letters, incentive letters,

answering machine scripts, and closing

scripts referenced the toll-free number,

and interviewers provided the number to

respondents who requested such a

resource during the interview.

The telephone line was answered by

interviewers trained on NSCH and who

subsequently connected the respondent

to an NSAP-trained interviewer. During

the course of the survey, 80 NSAP cases

made calls to the toll-free line, with 52

of those cases ultimately completing the

survey.

Selection of Sampled Child

During the NSCH interview,

households were screened for the

presence of children under age 18 years.

The ages of all children living or

staying in the household were then

rostered. If a household only had one

child, that child was selected as the

focus of the interview by default. In

households with multiple children, one

child was randomly selected to be the

focus of the interview. If the child

selected for NSCH was identified as an

adopted child during the NSCH

interview, he or she was then selected

for the NSAP interview. To be eligible

for NSAP, the selected child’s adoption

had to have been finalized and no

biological parents of the child could be

living in the household (to exclude

stepparent adoptions). In addition, the

NSCH interview had to have been

completed in English. Of the 2,778

NSCH interviews regarding an adopted

child with a fully completed NSAP

screener, 2,737 conducted the NSCH

interview in English (98.5%). Of the 41

NSCH interviews regarding an adopted

child that were completed in another

language, 40 were done in Spanish and

1 in Cantonese. These households were

ineligible for NSAP.

Selection of Respondent

Participation in NSAP was limited

to the adoptive mother or adoptive

father of the selected child. Most often,

the mother of the adopted child

completed NSAP. The parent who

completed NSCH was the most likely to

also complete NSAP, although this was

not a requirement of NSAP

participation. Table B shows the

frequency distribution of the relationship

of study respondents to the sampled

child.

Informed Consent

Upon conclusion of NSCH, the

interviewer informed the respondent that

the household was eligible to complete

NSAP because the respondent or another

household member was the sampled

child’s adoptive parent. If the

interviewer was trained to conduct

NSAP interviews and the adoptive

parent was available and willing to

complete NSAP at that time, then the

interviewer confirmed that he or she

was speaking to the child’s adoptive

mother or father and read the NSAP

informed consent script. If the NSCH

interviewer was not trained in NSAP

interviewing, or the adoptive parent was

unable to complete NSAP immediately

after NSCH, the interviewer arranged to

call the respondent at a later time.

During the subsequent call, the NSAP

interviewer confirmed that he or she

was speaking to the child’s adoptive

parent and then read the informed

consent script. Verbal consent for study

participation was documented in the

CATI system.

The informed consent script

explained to respondents the voluntary

nature of the survey, assured them that

their responses would be kept

confidential, and indicated that there

was no penalty for not answering

questions and that participation had no

effect on any benefits the family might

receive. In addition, the informed

consent statement provided information

about the expected interview duration.

Respondents were also told that they

would receive $25 (or $30 if the

household had met certain refusal

pattern benchmarks, described below) in

appreciation of their time. Finally, the

Table B. Number and percentage of NSAP respondents by relationship to sampled child

Relationship Number Percent

Total .......................... 2,089 100.0

Adoptive mother................... 1,651 79.0

Adoptive father ................... 423 20.2

Unknown ....................... 1 0.0

Don’t know or refused ............... 14 0.7

0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.05.

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSAP, 2007.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 9

respondents were told that the interview

might be recorded and monitored by a

supervisor for quality purposes.

During the course of data

collection, the expected interview

duration was revised to reflect actual

average administration times. The

consent script originally informed

adoptive parents that the NSAP

interview would require approximately

40 minutes to complete. At the

beginning of Q3/2007, the interview

duration time was revised to 35 minutes

and then further revised to ‘‘about half

an hour’’ on July 18, 2007.

Beginning with Q4/2007, the

monetary incentive was offered

immediately before informing

respondents of the interview duration. In

all previous quarters, the monetary

incentive was offered after respondents

were informed of the interview duration.

In accordance with HHS regulations

(45 C.F.R. 46), these procedures were

reviewed by the NCHS Research Ethics

Review Board (ERB) and the NORC at

the University of Chicago Institutional

Review Board (IRB). Approval for data

collection was received in December

2006 from the NCHS ERB and in

November 2006 from the NORC IRB.

The federal Office of Management and

Budget control number for this

collection of information was

0920–0406.

Assurance of

Confidentiality

Participation in surveys conducted

by NCHS is voluntary, and information

collected on individuals is confidential.

For NSAP, assurance of confidentiality

was provided to potential respondents as

part of the informed consent procedures.

In the CATI system, interviewers

acknowledged that they had read the

following statement to respondents:

‘‘Before we continue, I’d like you

to know that taking part in this

research is voluntary. You may

choose not to answer any questions

you don’t wish to answer or end the

interview at any time. Whether or

not you take part in this survey has

no effect on benefits and no known

risks. We are required by Federal

law to develop and follow strict

procedures to protect your

information and use your answers

only for statistical research. I can

describe these laws if you wish.

The survey will take about half an

hour. In appreciation for your time,

we will send you [$25/$30]. In

order to review my work, my

supervisor may record and listen as

I ask the questions. I’d like to

continue now unless you have any

questions.’’

If respondents requested to hear more

about the federal laws, they were read

the following statements:

‘‘The Public Health Service Act is

Volume 42 of the US Code, Section

242k. The collection of information

in this survey is authorized by

Section 306 of this Act. The

confidentiality of your responses is

assured by Section 308d of this Act

and by the Confidential Information

Protection and Statistical Efficiency

Act.’’

If respondents had any additional

questions or concerns, they were

directed to the project website at:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm for

more information.

When NCHS (including its

contractors and agents) collects

personally identifiable information under

a pledge of confidentiality for

exclusively statistical purposes, Section

308d of the Public Health Service Act

and Section 512b of the Confidential

Information Protection and Statistical

Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) require that

confidentiality be maintained without

exception. Violations of CIPSEA are a

class E felony, punishable by

imprisonment for not more than 5 years,

a fine of not more than $250,000, or

both. Strict procedures are used by

NCHS, its data collection contractors,

and other agents to prevent disclosure of

confidential data in survey operations

and data dissemination.

Interview Length

The average NSAP interview length

was 30 minutes, 46 seconds, and the

median time was 29 minutes, 24

seconds. Mean and median interview

lengths are shown in Table C.

Interview Breakoffs

For households that terminated the

interview before completion,

interviewers attempted to convert

incomplete interviews into completed

interviews. Not all of these interviews

were refusals, but refusal conversion

techniques were applied because

adoption is relatively rare and therefore

every case was very valuable. By the

end of data collection, 152 interviews

were completed with households that

had initially refused to participate (7.3%

of completed interviews).

At the end of the NSCH interview,

the NSAP interview was explained to

eligible respondents and the interviewer

attempted to schedule an appointment

for the NSAP interview. In 648

NSAP-eligible households (23.7%), the

NSAP interview was not completed. Of

these 648 households, 263 scheduled a

time for the NSAP interview; however,

only 21 were reached on callback and

provided informed consent for the

Table C. Mean and median length of the NSAP interview

Interview length in minutes and seconds

Section of interview Mean Median

Overall length................................... 30:46 29:24 

Section S: Screener............................... 2:23 2:02 

Section C: Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:16 11:45 

Section W: Parent and Child Well-being .................. 3:30 3:18 

Section F: Adoption Agreement and Postadoption Services— 

Financial ..................................... 3:52 3:22 

Section N: Postadoption Supports—Non-financial............. 8:54 7:58 

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents.
Page 10 [ Series 1, No. 50

NSAP interview. Of the 385 households

that did not schedule a time for the

NSAP interview, only 13 were reached

on callback and provided informed

consent for the NSAP interview. For the

34 cases that gave consent to do the

interview, there was little commonality

in the location within the questionnaire

where the interview was terminated.

Cases Pending at Close of

Data Collection

Most of the cases pending at the

end of data collection were those in

which the telephone number had not yet

been resolved as residential or

nonresidential (79.0% of pending cases

and 15.9% of the initial sample of

telephone lines). A smaller number of

cases had been resolved as households

without age eligibility being determined

(13.1% of pending cases and 2.6% of

the initial sample). Of all age-eligible

households, 32.6% had not completed

the NSAP screener (7.8% of pending

cases and 1.6% of the initial sample).

Finally, 23.7% of all NSAP-eligible

cases had not completed the interview

(0.11% of pending cases and 0.02% of

the initial sample). Table D shows the

final dispositions of cases. See Appendix

VII for more detailed information about

the final disposition of cases.

Incentive Effort

All cases eligible for NSAP were

offered a $25 incentive to complete the

interview. In addition, NSAP executed

its refusal-based incentive model

beginning in September 2007. The

NSAP incentive model was similar to

the NSCH incentive model in that

eligibility for both models was based on

similar household call history patterns,

the process by which incentives were

offered was comparable, and an

expanded incentive effort was ultimately

implemented in both surveys. Two types

of incentives—active refusal and passive

refusal—were offered to eligible

households. Completion rates for the

active and passive refusal incentive

cases were 33.2% and 37.5%,

respectively. A more detailed description

of the NSAP incentive model, the

process by which cases were offered

incentives, and relevant response rates is

included in Appendix VIII.

Response Rates

Response rates provide one measure

of the potential for nonresponse bias;

that is, the possibility that the sample

interviewed differs from the actual

population in some meaningful way. The

NSAP weighted response rate,

calculated nationally, reflects the

potential for bias in the sample of

children for whom the NSAP interview

was completed. The response rate, based

on the Council of American Survey

Research Organizations (CASRO)

guidelines, was calculated in accordance

with the American Association for

Public Opinion Research’s Standard

Definitions: Final Dispositions of Case

Table D. Final disposition of the 2007 NSAP sample

Number of selected Percent of total

Final disposition telephone lines selected telephone lines

Total ............................... 2,806,416 100.0

Not resolved as residential or nonresidential ...... 445,972 15.9

Out of scope (i.e., business, nonworking, fax, or

modem)............................. 1,770,887 63.1

Known household, age eligibility undetermined..... 74,051 2.6

Age-screened household, no child age eligible ..... 380,130 13.5

Known age-eligible household, NSAP eligibility

undetermined ......................... 44,166 1.6

NSAP-screened household, no child NSAP eligible . . 88,473 3.2

NSAP-eligible household, interview not completed . . 648 0.0

NSAP-eligible household, interview partially

completed ........................... 6 0.0

NSAP-eligible household, interview completed ..... 2,083 0.1

Codes and Outcome Rates for Surveys

(13) and using the assumptions for

response rate 3 detailed by Ezzati-Rice

et al. (14). Table E gives the weighted

national NSAP response rate. The

response rate was calculated as the

product of component completion rates,

which are discussed below.

Resolution rate

Response rates for telephone

surveys are typically lower than

response rates for household in-person

surveys because some telephone

numbers ring with no indication of

whether the number belongs to a

household or a business. The national

resolution rate, which measures the

proportion of sampled telephone

numbers that could be identified as

residential or nonresidential, was 81.9%.

When called, the majority of the

unresolved telephone numbers rang with

no answer. Most of the other unresolved

numbers either reached persons or

machines who hung up before

identifying themselves or reached

answering machines that provided no

indication of whether the caller had

reached a residence or a business.

Age screener completion rate

After a telephone number was

determined to belong to a household, an

attempt was made to screen that

household for the presence of children

under age 18 years. Each household was

first screened for NIS eligibility; that is,

each household was screened for the

presence of children aged 19–35 months

(augmentation sample households were

not screened for NIS and so were

age-screened only during the rostering

portion of NSCH). If a household was

age-eligible for NIS, then the household

was also considered to be age-eligible

for NSCH and NSAP. If a household

was age-ineligible for NIS, then that

household’s eligibility for NSCH and

NSAP was unknown and the CATI

system proceeded to the rostering

portion of NSCH. If the respondent then

indicated that the household contained

children under age 18 years, the

household was considered to be 0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.05.

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents. age-eligible for NSCH and NSAP. If 
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 11

Table E. NSAP weighted response rates

Rate Percent

Resolution rate............... 81.9

Age screener completion rate...... 86.4

NSCH interview completion rate .... 66.0

NSAP screener completion rate1 .... 99.5

NSAP interview completion rate .... 74.4

CASRO overall response rate2 ..... 34.6

1

Given that the NSCH interview was completed.

2

CASRO is Council of American Survey Research

Organizations. The CASRO response rate is the product of

the resolution rate, the age screener completion rate, the

NSCH interview completion rate, the NSAP screener

completion rate, and the NSAP interview completion rate.

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; NSCH

is National Survey of Children’s Health, 2007.

during the NIS screener or during the

NSCH rostering the household indicated

that they had no children whatsoever,

the household was considered to be

age-ineligible for NSCH and NSAP.

For some households, it was never

determined whether the household

contained children under age 18; that is,

some households did not complete the

age screener. The age screener

completion rate is defined as the

proportion of identified households for

which it was determined whether

children under age 18 were living or

staying there. The national age screener

completion rate was 86.4%.

NSCH interview completion

rate

After it had been determined that a

household contained children under age

18 years, a child was randomly chosen

from the household, and an attempt was

made to conduct the NSCH interview

about the selected child. The interview

was considered to have been completed

if Section 6: Early Childhood (for

selected children aged 0–5 years) or

Section 7: Middle Childhood and

Adolescence (for selected children aged

6–17 years) of the NSCH interview was

completed.

Not all households containing a

child completed the NSCH interview.

The NSCH interview completion rate is

defined as the proportion of age-eligible

households that completed Section 6 or

Section 7 of the NSCH interview. The

national NSCH interview completion

rate was 66.0%.

NSAP screener completion rate

For each child with a completed

NSCH interview, an attempt was made

to screen the child for NSAP eligibility.

That is, an attempt was made to

determine whether the child was legally

adopted, and if so, whether the adoption

had been finalized, whether a biological

parent lived in the household, and

whether the NSCH interview was

conducted in English.

NSAP eligibility status was not

determined for all children with a

completed NSCH interview because

some partially completed NSCH

interviews ended before reaching the

questions that determined NSAP

eligibility and some respondents did not

answer the NSAP eligibility questions.

The NSAP screener completion rate is

defined as the proportion of children

with a completed NSCH interview who

were successfully screened for NSAP

eligibility. The national NSAP screener

completion rate (given a completed

NSCH interview) was 99.5%.

NSAP interview completion rate

After it had been determined that

a child with a completed NSCH

interview was NSAP-eligible, an attempt

was made to conduct the NSAP

interview about the child. The interview

was considered to be complete if the

respondent finished Section F: Adoption

Agreement and Post Adoption

Services—Financial of the NSAP

interview.

The NSAP interview was not

completed for all children determined to

be NSAP-eligible. The NSAP interview

completion rate is defined as the

proportion of identified NSAP-eligible

children for whom Section F of the

NSAP interview was completed. The

national NSAP interview completion

rate was 74.4%.

Because the NSAP response rate is

largely dependent on the underlying

rates for NSCH, some researchers may

wish to report a cooperation rate that

focuses solely on NSAP, to more closely

indicate the response propensity of

identified eligible adoptive parents. In

this case, one could consider NSAP as a

list sample of children previously

identified as adopted and report the

NSAP interview completion rate of

74.4% as the ‘‘cooperation rate.’’

CASRO overall response rate

The overall response rate is the

product of the resolution rate, the age

screener completion rate, the NSCH

interview completion rate, the NSAP

screener completion rate, and the NSAP

interview completion rate. At the

national level, the overall response rate

was 34.6%. Because of this low overall

CASRO response rate, an examination

of the potential for nonresponse bias is

presented in Appendix IX.

Alternative response rates

Table F shows an alternative

response rate that was calculated by

assuming that all noncontact cases

(telephone numbers for which all call

outcomes were ‘‘ring, no answer’’ or a

busy signal) are not households. The

national alternative resolution rate was

89.9%, which was higher than the

81.9% resolution rate in Table E because

noncontact cases were assumed to be

nonresidential. The component age

screener completion rate, NSCH

interview completion rate, NSAP

screener completion rate, and NSAP

interview completion rate remain the

same because noncontact cases do not

enter into the calculation of these rates.

Given the alternative resolution rate, the

Table F. NSAP alternative weighted response

rates

Response rate Percent

Resolution rate ................... 89.9

Age screener completion rate .......... 86.4

NSCH interview completion rate ......... 66.0

NSAP screener completion rate1 ........ 99.5

NSAP interview completion rate ......... 74.4

CASRO overall response rate2.......... 38.0

1

Given that the NSCH interview was completed.

2

CASRO is Council of American Survey Research

Organizations. The CASRO response rate is the product of the

resolution rate, the age screener completion rate, the NSCH

interview completion rate, the NSAP screener completion rate,

and the NSAP interview completion rate.

NOTES: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; NSCH is

National Survey of Children’s Health, 2007. The alternative

response rates assume that all noncontact cases (i.e.,

telephone numbers for which all call outcomes were ‘‘ring, no

answer’’ or busy signals) are not households.
Page 12 [ Series 1, No. 50

overall alternative response rate at the

national level was 38.0%.

Efforts to maximize response

rates

Respondent participation was

encouraged by sending advance letters,

informing respondents of the importance

of the survey, offering incentives, and

allowing respondents to call a toll-free

number at their convenience. Ongoing

assessments and modifications of the

data collection instrument, data

collection procedures, and calling rules

were conducted. Integrated sample

management teams that focused on

NSCH and NSAP met frequently to

manage the sample in an effective and

efficient manner.

A pretest was conducted before data

collection began, to understand how

respondents would react to personal

questions, a lengthy interview, and

suspicions of legitimacy and

confidentiality, among other issues.

After the pretest was conducted and

analyzed, NORC at the University of

Chicago worked with NCHS to make

specific improvements. Also, after every

quarter of data collection, a list of

potential changes to the instrument was

reviewed and implemented if necessary.

These changes were based on analyses

of questionnaire breakoffs and reports

from interviewers of problem areas

within the questionnaire.

Response rates were monitored

throughout the data collection period.

Because certain nonresponse patterns

were observed, the NSCH incentive

model was adjusted to target these

nonresponsive subpopulations. Specially

trained refusal converters attempted to

convert nonrespondents by targeting the

case-specific source of the refusal, based

on the case history. More detailed

descriptions of the incentive models, the

process by which cases were offered an

incentive, and important response rates

are included in Appendix VIII.

A toll-free number was maintained

and listed in all letters to respondents.

This number allowed respondents to

participate immediately, to ask questions

regarding the survey, and to obtain

additional NSCH or NSAP surveyrelated information.

Quality Control 

Quality Control of

Interviewing

Telephone center supervisors were

available to interviewing staff at all

times to resolve any questions or

concerns about a case. Supervisors

regularly observed the data collection

process to monitor interviewers

informally. In addition, supervisory staff

used remote telephone- and computermonitoring technology to evaluate

whether interviewers performed

according to project specifications. This

formal monitoring was conducted to

ensure that introductory materials were

read properly, that the item wording and

sequence of the questionnaire were

followed correctly, that respondent

questions were answered properly, and

that any vague responses were properly

probed. Computer monitoring also

allowed supervisors to ascertain whether

answers were entered accurately into the

CATI system.

All supervisors attended an 8-hour

training session that introduced them to

the Monitoring Evaluation Form, the

Monitoring Database where forms are

filled out electronically, and the

Monitoring Selection Database where

telephone interviewers are prioritized

and selected for monitoring. In addition

to learning these basics of how to

monitor, supervisors participated in an

exercise on giving effective feedback

and coaching interviewers. After this

training session, each new supervisor

was scheduled to conduct dual

monitoring sessions for 1 week with

experienced staff. In these sessions, new

monitors observed live monitoring

side-by-side with an experienced

monitor, and each completed a

Monitoring Evaluation Form. At the end

of each session, the monitors compared

notes, discussed proper scoring

guidelines, and created a strategy for

giving feedback. These strategies served

to ensure that all supervisors were

monitoring interviewers using the same

criteria for evaluation.

To avoid bias in selecting whom to

monitor, the CATI monitoring system

automatically selected which

interviewers to monitor. Newly trained

interviewers, those with the fewest

monitoring sessions, or those with the

weakest performance reviews were

given the highest priority for selection.

Experienced interviewers were

prioritized for monitoring based on the

length of time since their last

monitoring session and on recent

monitoring scores. Each interviewer was

typically monitored at least once a

week; however, some interviewers were

monitored more often.

Throughout data collection,

interviews were recorded (after gaining

agreement from respondents). These

recordings were valuable tools for

training, as well as for providing

feedback to interviewers on specific

case-related performance. The

recordings were kept for four quarters of

data collection and then deleted.

Quality Control of Data

The CATI system was programmed

to help ensure complete and accurate

data collection by using automated

data-checking techniques such as

response-value range checks and

consistency checks during the interview

process. These features enabled

interviewers to obtain needed

clarifications while still on the telephone

with the respondent. Throughout data

collection, interview data were reviewed

for consistency between fields,

appropriate response-value ranges, skip

logic patterns, and missing information.

Weighting Procedures

This section provides a nontechnical

overview of the weighting procedures

for the NSAP sample. A more detailed

and technical description can be found

in Appendix I.

Base Weight

Because the NSAP sample was

obtained from completed NSCH cases,

NSAP weighting started with the final

NSCH weights. That is, the base weight

for the NSAP sample was the final
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 13

NSCH weight. The final NSCH weights

were derived by applying adjustments to

account for nonresponse, for households

with multiple telephone numbers, and

for noncoverage of children in

households without landline telephones,

as well as adjustments to known

population control estimates. For a

detailed description of the derivation of

the NSCH final weights, refer to the

2007 NSCH design and operations

report (7).

Adjustment for Incomplete

NSAP Screener

The goal was for all children with

completed NSCH interviews to be

screened for NSAP. However, because

some completed NSCH cases did not

complete the NSAP screener, an

adjustment for this nonresponse was

applied to cases for which the NSAP

screener was completed. Adjustment

cells were formed using the following

variables, listed in order of priority:

+	 Age group.

+	 Health insurance.

+	 Number of children in the

household.

Within each adjustment cell, the

adjustment factor was computed as the

ratio of the sum of base weights for all

cases in the adjustment cell to the sum

of base weights for all completed

screener cases in the adjustment cell.

For completed screener cases, the

screener weight is obtained by

multiplying the base weight and the

adjustment factor.

Because the NSAP cases had

already completed the NSCH interview,

any missing values of the above

variables used in cell formation were

already imputed as part of NSCH

weighting, hence no new imputation was

required.

Adjustment for Incomplete

NSAP Interview

Not all NSAP interview-eligible

cases completed the NSAP interview. To

compensate for nonresponse to the

NSAP interview, the weights of the

children with complete NSAP interviews

were adjusted. Adjustment cells were

formed using the following variables,

listed in order of priority:

+	 Type of adoption.

+	 Age group.

+	 Race/ethnicity.

Within each adjustment cell, the

adjustment factor was computed as the

ratio of the sum of screener weights for

all interview-eligible cases in the

adjustment cell to the sum of screener

weights for all completed interview

cases in the adjustment cell. For

completed interview cases, the interview

adjusted weight is obtained by

multiplying the screener weight and the

adjustment factor.

Raking Adjustment

Finally, a raking adjustment was

applied to the NSAP completed

interview cases. Because no external

control totals are available for adopted

children, this raking adjustment only

ensured that the sums of weights before

and after the NSAP interview

nonresponse adjustment were equal in

terms of the raking variables. That is,

the control totals were obtained by

summing NSAP screener weights within

selected categories for all NSAP-eligible

cases.

Raking adjustment was done using

the following margins within each

census region:

+	 Number of male and female adopted

children within each of three age

groups.

+	 Number of adopted children by type

of adoption (international, foster,

private) within each of three age

groups.

+	 Race/ethnicity.

+	 Number of adopted children in

households by highest reported

education in the household.

+	 Number of children in households

by household income.

+	 Number of adopted children in

metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)

and non-MSAs.

After raking, any extreme weights

were trimmed and the weights were

reraked. This process was repeated until

there were no extreme weights after

raking. The raking and trimming process

produced a final weight for each child

with a complete NSAP interview.

Quality Control of

Weighting

Staff compared the formulas for the

weights and adjustments developed by

the sampling statistician with the actual

weights and adjustments constructed by

the statistical programmer. An

independent check was performed on

the programmer’s implementation of the

statistician’s weighting specifications.

Imputation of Relevant

Variables

Because NSAP cases had completed

the NSCH interview, any variables that

needed imputation for the NSAP

weighting process were already imputed

as part of NSCH weighting, and no new

imputation was required.

Public-use Data File

One public-use data file was created

using SAS version 9.1 (SAS Institute,

Cary, North Carolina). The file included

data from complete interviews (complete

through Section F: Adoption Agreement

and Post Adoption Services—Financial)

that were conducted in 2007 and 2008.

To maintain confidentiality, certain

variables that could be used to identify

respondents were excluded from the file.

The file contains one record for

each child who was selected to be the

subject of the interview. This file (n =

2,089) contains data on adopted child

and family characteristics, parent and

child well-being, adoption agreement

and postadoption financial services, and

postadoption nonfinancial supports. Of

the 2,089 records, 2,083 cases

completed the full interview and 6

partially completed the interview

(partially completed interviews were

treated as complete and included in the

data file if Section F of the interview

was completed).
Page 14 [ Series 1, No. 50

Editing

As discussed in the Quality Control

of Data section, the CATI system was

designed to perform edits as an

interviewer entered data into the

computer system. To guard against

interviewer error, the CATI system

included range and consistency checks.

If an interviewer entered something out

of range, a warning screen would

appear, instructing the interviewer that

the data would not be accepted and that

they would have to reenter the response

to the question. For example, the

acceptable range for C1A, ‘‘How old

was [sample child (SC)] when [his/her]

adoption was finalized?’’ is from 0 to 17

years, 0 to 12 months, and 0 to 52

weeks. If an interviewer entered a value

outside these ranges, such as ‘‘13’’

months or greater, a warning screen

would appear saying ‘‘Please enter value

between 0 and 12.’’ Another consistency

check also had to do with the child’s

age at adoption finalization. For

example, a respondent might mistakenly

report, or the interviewer might

mistakenly enter, the child’s age at

adoption as older than the child’s

current age. In that event, a consistency

check would appear indicating the

discrepancy: ‘‘[SC’s] age when [his/her]

adoption was finalized must be less than

or equal to child’s age.’’

Even with many built-in CATI

checks, data cleaning was still

necessary. Invalid values were deleted,

and missing values were investigated.

On rare occasions, certain data were not

collected correctly but, based on related

questions, the missing data were easy to

determine. The most important part of

data cleaning was ensuring that each

selected child’s type of adoption was

assigned based on the NSAP screener

questions. Finally, missing data had to

be determined to be the result of a

legitimate skip, a partially completed

interview, or data that actually were

missing in error. Questionnaire variables

in the public-use file that were altered in

any way after data collection, either due

to cleaning or other editing steps

described below, have the letter ‘‘R’’

appended to the variable name to denote

‘‘recode.’’

Missing Data

Missing data are not desirable when

doing analyses and are often ignored

completely by data analysts. However, it

is very helpful to know why data are

missing. The following codes are used

in the interview file to give analysts as

much information as possible on why

certain data are missing.

(.A) Added question. Variable value is

missing because this question was added

after the start of data collection and the

interview was conducted before the

question was added.

(.D) Deleted question. Variable value is

missing because this question was

removed after the start of data collection

and the interview was conducted after

the question was deleted.

(.L) Legitimate skip. Variable value is

missing due to valid questionnaire paths

based on a previous answer to a root

question.

(.M) Missing in error. Variable value is

missing due to interviewer or system

error. In cases of interviewer error, the

interviewer may have deleted the data

by accident or may not have entered an

answer to the question. In cases of

system error, the data may not have

been collected or saved properly after

being entered by the interviewer into the

CATI system.

(.P) Partially completed interview.

Variable value is missing because the

respondent hung up after completing

Section F but before completing the full

interview.

Derived variables do not include the

detailed coding of missing data. Missing

values for derived variables received a

.M code regardless of the reason for the

missing data.

Coding of Verbatim

Answers Into Question

Responses

For many questions in the NSAP

interview, respondents provided a

response that did not match any

preexisting category. If this occurred,

the interviewer chose ‘‘other’’ and typed

in the response provided by the

respondent. At the end of the data

collection period, verbatim responses

were recoded into existing response

categories where appropriate.

There were three ways in which

verbatim responses were used to recode

or back-code data:

+	 Some verbatim responses were

back-coded to existing response

categories on the preceding question.

+	 Some verbatim responses were used

to create new response categories

for the preceding question, which

are indicated by new dummy

variables.

+	 Some verbatim responses were used

to create new variables to capture

the data because no root question

existed for which to create new

categories or back-code verbatim

responses into preexisting categories.

More detail on the coding of verbatim

responses is provided in Appendix X.

Edits to Protect

Confidentiality

NCHS takes extraordinary measures

to ensure that the identities of survey

subjects cannot be determined. The risk

of inadvertent disclosure of confidential

information regarding individual

respondents is higher with a publicly

released dataset having detailed

geography variables, a detailed and

extensive set of survey observations, and

a sizable proportion of the total

population of interest. Common

techniques for reducing the risk of

inadvertent disclosure include

coarsening a dataset by suppressing

survey variables, collapsing multiple

variables into one, collapsing response

categories for other variables, and/or

introducing noise into the data.

NSAP data present a special

challenge in ensuring the confidentiality

of respondents. The base survey data

from NSCH include state identifiers on

the public-use file. NSAP’s national

sample size of 2,089 is too small to

release state identifiers because the risk

of disclosure would be increased. This

also means that the public-use NSAP

data cannot be linkable to the public-use

NSCH data because such linkage would
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 15

allow the state identifiers to be attached

to the NSAP data file.

To prevent the linkage of the

public-use files for NSAP and NSCH,

the following steps were taken. For all

NSCH variables that were included on

the NSAP public-use file (n), and for all

common data elements that exist on

both public-use files (m), (n + m)-way

cross-tabulations were examined to

identify any NSAP case with a

particular combination of characteristics

that could be uniquely matched to an

NSCH case with the same combination

of characteristics. Whenever five or

fewer NSCH cases existed as potential

matches to a single NSAP case, the

NSCH and NSAP sampling weights

were examined to determine whether

differences in the order of magnitude in

sampling weights could be used to

conclusively identify which of the five

or fewer cases was the exact match to

the NSAP case. (Although the NSAP

sampling weight does not equal the

NSCH sampling weight, a hypothetical

single NSAP case with an NSAP weight

of 65 that had two potential matching

NSCH cases with NSCH sampling

weights of 60 and 2,500, respectively,

could be deduced to match to the first

of those two NSCH cases.)

To reduce the number of (n + m)

common data elements between the two

public-use files, NSAP variables C46

and C47 (which could be combined to

derive a match to NSCH variable

K2Q34A: whether the respondent was

ever told the child had behavioral or

conduct problems such as oppositional

defiant disorder or conduct disorder)

were dropped from the NSAP public-use

file. The age of the child at interview

was also collapsed to six categories (0–2

years, 3–4 years, 5–9 years, 10–12

years, 13–14 years, and 15–17 years),

and household income relative to the

federal poverty level (FPL) was

collapsed to five categories (0%–100%

of FPL, >100%–200% FPL, >200%–

300% FPL, >300%–400% FPL, and

>400% FPL) in the NSAP file, to

reduce the number of data points that

could be used to match to NSCH. In

addition, NSCH variable K11Q33

(which indicates whether the child was

born outside of the United States) was

perturbed in the NSCH public-use file

such that children adopted

internationally were recoded from ‘‘born

out of the U.S.’’ to ‘‘born in the U.S.,’’

to prevent this data point from being

used to help identify NSAP cases in

NSCH (the NSCH public-use file does

not identify the adoptive status of

children).

NSAP variables C8A, C8C, C9A,

C9C, and C9E (which indicate the exact

number of children of various types in

the household) and variables indicating

the specific race and ethnicity of both

the respondent and the respondent’s

spouse or partner (N24, N24A, N25, and

N25A) were dropped from the NSAP

public-use file to prevent their being

used to specifically identify a household

based on detailed family structure.

Variables indicating whether the sample

child had had any biological children

(C52) and the age of the child when

action to end the adoption was taken

(W20B) were dropped from the NSAP

public-use file because they were

extremely rare and potentially

observable. Additionally, a few records

were perturbed as described below.

These edits were done to ensure that no

NSAP case in the public-use file could

be matched to its respective NSCH

record in the NSCH public-use file with

certainty.

Geography

The NSAP public-use data contain

no geographic identifiers of any kind.

Although the state is identified on the

NSCH public-use file, it is not possible

to match NSAP respondents to their

respective NSCH records using only the

NSAP and NSCH public-use files.

Race

NSCH question K11Q02 asked

about the sample child’s race.

Respondents were permitted to identify

all possible categories that described the

child’s race. If a race other than one of

the seven existing categories was

indicated, a verbatim response was

captured. Verbatim responses were

reviewed and matched against a

database of alternative race terminology

maintained by the Census Bureau.

Where possible, ‘‘other’’ race responses

were back-coded into one of the seven

existing categories. Once all possible

verbatim responses were back-coded, a

new race variable was created by

collapsing the seven categories into six

categories: white, black or African

American, American Indian or Alaska

Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other

Pacific Islander, and multiple race.

Multiple race was reserved for those

cases where more than one of the other

five categories applied. If the respondent

did not know or refused to provide the

race, then race was coded as missing.

Cases where a verbatim response could

not be conclusively back-coded (e.g.,

American, Indian, Jewish) and no other

race was reported were also coded as

missing.

To reduce the number of common

data elements and prevent the matching

of NSAP records to their respective

NSCH records, race was combined with

Hispanic ethnicity for the NSAP

public-use file, as described below for

the derived variable HISPRACE.

Top-coded and collapsed

variables

The variables listed below were

top-coded to conceal the values of

outliers at the high end of the

distribution of responses or collapsed to

coarsen the detail of the measurement.

Because of their unusual characteristics,

records including this detail might have

been more readily identifiable.

+	 Country of origin (S1_NR) is

collapsed such that countries other

than China, Russia, Guatemala, and

South Korea are grouped by

continent, as follows: other: Africa;

other: Asia; other: Europe; other:

Central America; other: South

America; and other.

+	 Time between when the child was

placed in the home and when

adoption became the case goal

(S11_MONTHS) is measured in

months, and ‘‘60 months or more’’

is the maximum reported.

+	 Child’s age when the adoption was

finalized (C1AR) is collapsed into

the following categories: 0 years, 1

year, 2 years, 3 years, 4–5 years,
Page 16 [ Series 1, No. 50

6–7 years, 8–10 years, and 11 years

and over.

+	 Child’s age when first placed in

the home (C1BR) is collapsed into

the following categories: 0 years,

1 year, 2–3 years, 4–5 years, 6–8

years, 9 years and over.

+	 Responses of ‘‘another adoptive

family’’ and ‘‘a residential

treatment facility’’ for the place

where the child lived prior to

placement (C2_NR) are collapsed

with ‘‘other.’’

+	 For respondents who were

themselves adopted as children,

the respondent’s age at adoption

(C15A_MONTHS) is measured in

months, and ‘‘120 months or

more’’ is the maximum reported.

+	 For respondents’ spouses or

partners who were themselves

adopted as children, the

respondent’s spouse’s or partner’s

age at adoption

(C15C_MONTHS) is measured in

months, and ‘‘60 months or

more’’ is the maximum reported.

+	 For the number of postadoption

reports filed (C25AAR), ‘‘17 or

more’’ is the maximum reported.

+	 For the first language the child

spoke (C53R), Korean and

Ukrainian are collapsed into

‘‘other.’’

+	 For the number of times the child

has lived outside the home for 2

weeks or more (W17AR), ‘‘8 or

more’’ is the maximum reported.

+	 The adoption subsidy monthly

dollar amount (F4R) is collapsed

into the following categories:

$0–300, $301–400, $401–500,

$501–600, $601–750, $751–1,000,

and >$1,000.

+	 Respondent’s (N23R) and

respondent’s spouse’s or partner’s

(N23AAR) years of birth are

collapsed into the following

categories: <1950, 1950–54,

1955–59, 1960–64, 1965–69, and

>1969.

+	 The calculated year of adoption

(YR_ADOPT) is collapsed into

eight categories: 1990–1992,

1993–1995, 1996–1997,

1998–2000, 2001–2002,

2003–2004, 2005–2006, and

2007–2008.

Data perturbations

As part of the effort to prevent the

matching of NSAP records to their

respective NSCH records, the following

perturbations were made to mask unique

combinations of characteristics:

+	 One case had missing data for

household income relative to

poverty level (POVLEVEL5)

replaced with imputed data.

+	 Two cases had age at interview

(AGEGRP6) changed to an adjacent

category.

Analysts interested in working with

data that were suppressed to protect

confidentiality may apply to access

unmodified data files through the NCHS

Research Data Centers (RDCs). These

facilities are located at NCHS

headquarters in Hyattsville, Maryland, a

Washington, D.C., suburb, and in

Atlanta, Georgia, CDC’s home base.

Data files housed in an RDC may also

be accessed remotely by e-mail or

through affiliated Census Bureau RDCs.

In all cases, the initial proposal to

access NSAP data must be submitted to

the NCHS RDC in Hyattsville. Analysts

should visit the web site at: http://

www.cdc.gov/rdc/ for more information.

Derived Variables

A number of derived variables

appear on the public-use data file. The

definitions for these variables are

provided below. Derived variables from

the NSCH interview that were appended

to the NSAP public-use file are also

included.

ADOPT_TYPE is based on NSCH

variables K11Q38 and K11Q40 and

indicates the selected child’s type of

adoption (international, foster care, or

private domestic).

AGEGRP6 is a collapsed version of

NSCH variable AGEYR_CHILD and

categorizes the child’s age at interview

into six categories of whole years of

age: 0–2, 3–4, 5–9, 10–12, 13–14, and

15–17.

ANYSIBS is based on NSCH variable

S_UNDR18, which gives the total

number of children under age 18 years

in the household. ANYSIBS indicates

whether there are any other children in

the household (= 1) or not

(= 0).

C15A_MONTHS is based on NSAP

variables C15A_YEAR and

C15A_MONTH, which give the

respondent’s age at adoption, for cases

in which the adult respondent was also

adopted as a child. C15A_MONTHS is

measured in months and top-coded at

120 months or more.

C15C_MONTHS is based on NSAP

variables C15C_YEAR and

C15C_MONTH, which give the

respondent’s spouse’s or partner’s age at

adoption, for cases in which the

respondent’s spouse or partner was also

adopted as a child. C15C_MONTHS is

measured in months and top-coded at 60

months or more.

CSHCN is based on NSCH variables

K2Q10 through K2Q23 and indicates

whether the child had any of five health

care consequences resulting from a

medical, behavioral, or other health

condition that had lasted or was

expected to last at least 12 months.

HISPRACE is based on NSCH

variables K11Q01 and K11Q02X01

through K11Q02X08, including

responses back-coded from the verbatim

variable K11Q02_OS. HISPRACE

indicates whether the child is of

Hispanic or Latino origin, and if not,

indicates the race of the child. If the

child is of Hispanic or Latino origin,

HISPRACE = 1. If the child is not of

Hispanic or Latino origin, HISPRACE

specifies the race of the selected child

as of one of four categories: nonHispanic white only (= 2), non-Hispanic

black only (= 3), non-Hispanic Asian

only (= 4), and non-Hispanic other

(= 5), which includes American Indian

only, Alaska Native only, Native

Hawaiian only, Pacific Islander only,

other unknown, and multiple races.

Twenty-one cases of ‘‘don’t know’’ or

‘‘refused’’ responses were replaced with

imputed values for the NSAP public-use

file.

POVLEVEL5 is a collapsed version of

NSCH variable POVERTY_LEVEL,

which is based on total household

members (K9Q00) and the household

income value. If data for either of these
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 17

two components are missing, refused, or

had a ‘‘don’t know’’ response, this

variable is assigned a missing value.

Once an income-to-household-size

measure is computed, it is compared

with HHS federal poverty guidelines.

Appendix VII of the NSCH design and

operations report (7) details the

derivation of POVERTY_LEVEL.

POVLEVEL5, released on the NSAP

public file, collapses POVERTY_

LEVEL into the following five

categories: 0%–100% of the federal

poverty level (FPL), >100%–200% FPL,

>200%–300% FPL, >300%–400% FPL,

and >400% FPL.

S11_MONTHS is based on NSAP

variables S11_Y and S11_M, which give

the span between the time the child was

placed in the home and when adoption

became the case goal. S11_MONTHS is

measured in months and top-coded at 60

months or more.

SEX is based on NSCH variable K1Q01

and specifies the gender of the child.

Five cases of ‘‘don’t know’’ or

‘‘refused’’ responses were replaced with

imputed values for the NSAP public-use

file.

TRANSRACE is based on NSAP

variables C17_N and C17_A and

indicates whether the child’s race/

ethnicity differs from the race/ethnicity

of both parents (or differs from the

race/ethnicity of the single parent).

YR_ADOPT is derived from the date of

the NSAP interview and the child’s

reported age at adoption and age in

months at interview. The number of

months between the date of adoption

and the date of interview were obtained

by comparing the child’s age in months

at adoption and age in months at

interview, and was subtracted from the

century-month code (CMC) of the date

of interview to derive the CMC of the

date of adoption. This variable was

collapsed as eight categories:

1990–1992, 1993–1995, 1996–1997,

1998–2000, 2001–2002, 2003–2004,

2005–2006, and 2007–2008.

Dummy Variables

When respondents were permitted

to provide multiple answers for the

same question, a variable was created

for each possible answer. The values for

these new dummy variables are ‘‘yes,

this answer was given’’ and ‘‘no, this

answer was not given.’’ When

respondents could not or did not answer

the question, a value of ‘‘don’t know’’

or ‘‘refused’’ was reported for each

dummy variable.

Variable Dummy variables

C10_N C10_NX01 to C10_NX03

W20A W20AX01 to W20AX03

N1D N1DX01 to N1DX06

N2BA N2BAX01 to N2BAX08

N2D N2DX01 to N2DX05

N3B N3BX01 to N3BX07

N3D N3DX01 to N3DX05

N5D N5DX01 to N5DX09

N5F N5FX01 to N5FX05

N6B N6BX01 to N6BX09

N6D N6DX01 to N6DX07

N7B N7BX01 to N7BX07

N7D N7DX01 to N7DX07

N8B N8BX01 to N8BX08

N8D N8DX01 to N8DX07

N9B N9BX01 to N9BX08

N9D N9DX01 to N9DX06

N10BB N10BBX01 to N10BBX08

N10D N10DX01 to N10DX07

N11B N11BX01 to N11BX07

N11D N11DX01 to N11DX07

N12B N12BX01 to N12BX07

N12D N12DX01 to N12DX07

N14BB N14BBX01 to N14BBX08

N14D N14DX01 to N14DX07

N18B N18BX01 to N18BX07

N18D N18DX01 to N18DX05

N24A N24AX01 to N24AX08

N25A N25AX01 to N25AX08

Additional Data Notes

For 73 cases, a change was made to

the original ADOPT_TYPE assignment

because information regarding the type

of adoption provided by the respondent

during the NSAP interview conflicted

with similar information provided during

the NSCH interview. Derived variable

ADOPT_TYPE reflects the later value

for these cases.

Beginning in Q3/2007, question

S3_N was filled based on NSCH

variable K9Q17A, if K9Q17A = 1

(married) or 2 (living together as

partners). Cases that were not asked this

question in previous quarters but would

be filled based on the new logic are set

to S3_N = .A (added question). There

are 19 such cases.

In Q1/2008, S3_N and S4_N skip

logic was modified slightly to have

these questions asked if both adoptive

parents were reported in the NSCH

K9Q12 parent roster (i.e., a nonparent

respondent completed the NSCH

interview). Five cases in previous

quarters have S3_N and/or S4_N set to

.A (added question).

As the result of a system error, 14

cases have C9E set to ‘‘missing in

error.’’

In Q1/2008, skip logic was

modified at C12C and C12E. Nine cases

in previous quarters would have been

asked C12C based on the new logic, and

C12C = .A (added question) for these

cases.

After data collection, one case with

C15A_YEAR = 31 was recoded such

that C15A_YEAR was set to 2 and

C15A_MONTH was set to 7.

Three cases with values of 5 or 7 for

C15A_WEEK were recoded such that

C15A_MONTH was changed from 0 to 1.

During Q2/2007, the skip logic for

C42 was revised based on an error

found at checkpoint C46. Cases that had

finished this section before the skip

logic revision but would have been

asked C42 based on the new logic have

C42 = .A (added question). There are 41

such cases.

A problem in the skip logic allowed

eight cases (private domestic adoptions)

to receive F11A instead of F11B. All

eight cases were set to .L on F11AR.

Five of the eight cases were in response

categories 1 or 2 (that matched to F11B

categories) and were coded accordingly

on F11BR; the remaining three cases

had values of 3 on F11A and are set to

.M on F11BR.

A problem in the skip logic for the

mental health medication questions

(F14A_A, F14A_AA, F16A_A–

F16A_EA) was identified late in data

collection. Under the following

circumstances, the mental health

medication questions are set to missing

in error:

+	 283 cases where NSCH variable

K2Q31D = 1 (yes).

+	 35 cases where NSCH variable

K4Q23=1(yes) and F16E = 0, 6,

or 7 (no, don’t know, or refused,

respectively).
Page 18 [ Series 1, No. 50

Quality Control

A team of programmers and project

staff were responsible for cleaning data

at the end of data collection. The

cleaned data were also thoroughly

checked by other project staff.

Following is a brief description of the

steps involved in producing the final

data file.

Using the questionnaire

specifications, project staff produced

several computer programs to review the

data and identify data items that

required cleaning. These programs were

also used during data collection to

monitor production. The programming

team developed cleaning programs so

that the resulting cleaned data file could

be replicated and reviewed by others.

These programs applied any final data

corrections based on data recovery,

checked that skip patterns were

followed, created derived variables from

questionnaire variables, and assigned

special codes to reflect various missing

data.

Project staff then ran several quality

control checks on the cleaned data file

and cross-checked the cleaned file

against an independently prepared data

file. Variable frequencies were reviewed

to confirm skip patterns, missing code

assignments, and expected distributions.

Derived variable specifications and

computations were carefully reviewed.

Variable labels were compared against

the questionnaire to confirm accurate

label assignments.

The cleaning programs were run on

each new version of the data file until

no problems were identified in the

quality control checks. The reviewer

then signed off on the data file. Finally,

senior project management reviewed the

data file and supporting documents.

Estimation and

Hypothesis Testing

NSAP data were obtained through a

complex sample design involving the

selection of a single child per household

and stratification of households within

states. To produce estimates that are

nationally representative of adopted

children, sampling weights must be

used. These sampling weights account

for the unequal probabilities of selection

for households and children, and they

include adjustments for multipletelephone households, unit nonresponse,

and noncoverage of nontelephone

households and households without

landline telephones, as well as

adjustments to known population control

estimates. As described earlier, the

sampling weights for NSAP respondents

have been further adjusted for

nonresponse to NSAP and readjusted to

population control estimates for adopted

children derived from the 2007 NSCH.

Estimates based on the sampling

weights generalize to the 2007 U.S.

population of adopted children aged

0–17 years living in households where

English is spoken. These estimates do

not generalize to the population of

adoptive parents, the population of

adoptive mothers, or the population of

adopted children’s health care providers.

Variables Used for

Variance Estimation

Because the sample design of

NSAP is complex and the interview

records have unequal weights, statistical

software that assumes simple random

sampling will most often compute

standard errors that are too low. Tests of

statistical hypotheses may then suggest

statistically significant differences or

associations that are misleading.

Computer programs (e.g., SUDAAN,

Stata, WesVar) are available that provide

the capability of variance estimation for

complex sample designs. To provide the

user with the capability to estimate the

complex sample variances for NSAP

data, stratum and primary sampling unit

(PSU) identifiers have been provided on

the data file. These variables and the

sample weights are necessary to

properly calculate variances.

The stratum identifiers reported on

the dataset are not identical to the strata

used to draw the main sample. In states

with multiple estimation areas,

independent samples were drawn from

each estimation area in proportion to the

total number of households with

children in each estimation area.

Therefore, these estimation areas should

be considered strata for variance

estimation. However, disclosure of the

specific estimation area for each child

could increase the risk of disclosure of a

respondent’s or child’s identity. In the

absence of estimation-area-specific

identifiers, the NSCH collapsed stratum

identifier is the state identifier. By using

the state identifier rather than the

suppressed estimation area identifier, the

standard errors for national and state

estimates with key variables are affected

only slightly and not in a consistent

direction.

The NSAP sample size of 2,089 is

considerably smaller than the NSCH

sample size of 91,642 and is too small

to allow for the release of state

identifiers because the risk of disclosure

of a respondent’s or child’s identity

would be increased. Therefore, the

NSAP collapsed stratum identifier

(PSUID) collapses the 51 strata for the

50 states plus Washington, D.C., into 10

categories. The categories were

determined by rank-ordering the 51

strata by average sampling weight and

dividing the 51 strata into 10 strata by

whole state. Nine categories contain five

strata, and one category contains six

strata. By using PSUID rather than the

suppressed state identifier, the standard

errors for national estimates and for

estimates by adoption type with key

variables are affected only slightly and

not in a consistent direction. Households

were sampled within strata, and the

unique household identifier is NSAPID.

The overall number of persons in

this survey is sufficient for many

statistical inference purposes. However,

analyses of some rare responses and

analyses of subclasses can lead to

estimates that are unreliable. Small

sample sizes used in the variance

calculations may also produce unstable

estimates of the variances.

Consequently, these analyses require that

the user pay particular attention to the

variability of estimates of means,

proportions, and totals.
Variance Estimation Using

SUDAAN or Stata

Standard errors of estimates from

NSAP can be obtained by using the

Taylor series approximation method,

available in software such as SUDAAN,

SAS, and Stata. The stratum should be

identified by the variable PSUID, and

the household should be identified by

the variable NSAPID.

The simplifying assumption that

households have been sampled with

replacement allows most complex

survey sample design computer

programs to calculate standard errors in

a straightforward way. This method

requires no recoding of design variables,

but it is statistically less efficient (and

therefore more conservative) than some

other methods. For SUDAAN, the data

file needs to be sorted by stratum

(PSUID) and household (NSAPID). The

following SUDAAN design statements

are then used for analyses:

+	 PROC . . . DESIGN = WR;

+	 NEST PSUID NSAPID;

+	 WEIGHT NSAPWT;

For Stata, the following design

statements are used:

+	 svyset strata PSUID

+	 svyset psu NSAPID

+	 svyset pweight NSAPWT

+	 svyset

Other variance estimation

procedures are also applicable to NSAP.

Specifically, the jackknife method with

replicate weights and the bootstrap

resampling method with replicate

weights can also be used (with software

such as WesVar) to obtain standard

errors that fully reflect the impact of the

weighting adjustments on standard

errors.

Variance Estimation for

Subsets of the Data

Many analyses of NSAP data will

focus on specific population subgroups,

such as children adopted internationally

or adopted children living with a single

parent. Some analysts will therefore be

tempted to delete all records outside of

the domain of interest in order to work

with smaller data files and run computer

jobs more quickly. This procedure of

keeping only selected records and

listwise deleting other records is called

‘‘subsetting’’ the data. Subsetted data

that are appropriately weighted can be

used to generate correct point estimates

(e.g., estimates of population subgroup

frequencies or means), but some

software packages that analyze complex

survey data will compute standard errors

incorrectly for subsetted data. When

complex survey data are subsetted, the

sample design structure is often

compromised because complete design

information is not available. Subsetting

the data can delete important design

information needed for variance

estimation (e.g., deleting all records for

certain subgroups may result in entire

PSUs being removed from the design

structure). Typically, the standard errors

for subsetted data will be inflated,

resulting in a higher probability of type

II error (i.e., failing to detect significant

differences that do in fact exist).

SUDAAN has a SUBPOPN option that

allows the user to target specific

subpopulations for analysis while

retaining the full unsubsetted dataset

that includes the full sample design

information. Analysts interested in

specific subpopulations must use

SUBPOPN with the full sample data

rather than subsetting the dataset.

Weighted Frequencies,

Prevalence Estimates, and

Standard Errors

Weighted frequencies of adopted

children by adoption type, with standard

errors calculated using the Taylor series

approximation method in SUDAAN,

appear in Appendix XI. Analysts may

wish to replicate this table to determine

whether they are using the weights and

sample design variables correctly.

Guidelines for Data

Use

With the goal of mutual benefit, 

NCHS requests that users of data files 

Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 19

cooperate in certain actions related to

their use.

Any published material derived

from the data should acknowledge

NCHS as the original source. The

citation, ‘‘SOURCE: Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, National Center

for Health Statistics, National Survey of

Adoptive Parents, 2007,’’ should appear

at the bottom of all tables. Published

material derived from the data should

also include a disclaimer that credits any

analyses, interpretations, or conclusions

reached to the author and not to NCHS,

which is responsible only for the initial

data. Consumers who wish to publish a

technical description of the data should

make a reasonable effort to ensure that

the description is not inconsistent with

that published by NCHS.

The Confidential Information

Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act

of 2002 and the Public Health Service

Act (section 308d) provide that these

data collected by NCHS may be used

only for the purpose of statistical

reporting and analysis. Any effort to

determine the identity of any reported

case is prohibited by these laws. NCHS

takes extraordinary measures to ensure

that the identity of survey subjects

cannot be disclosed. All direct

identifiers, as well as any characteristics

that might lead to identification, have

been omitted from the dataset. Any

intentional identification or disclosure of

a person or establishment violates the

assurances of confidentiality given to

providers of the information. Therefore,

users must

+	 Use the data in this dataset for

statistical reporting and analysis

only.

+	 Make no use of the identity of any

person discovered, inadvertently or

otherwise, and advise the Director,

NCHS, of any such discovery (tel:

301–458–4500).

+	 Not link this dataset with

individually identifiable data from

any NCHS or non-NCHS data

sources.

Use of the dataset signifies the

user’s agreement to comply with the

above-stated statutory-based

requirements.
Page 20 [ Series 1, No. 50

Further Information 

Data users can obtain the latest

information about SLAITS by

periodically checking the SLAITS web

site at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

slaits.htm. This site features

downloadable data files and

documentation for SLAITS modules, as

well as important information about any

modifications and updates to data or

documentation. Data users with

questions will find current contact

information on the site and may send

e-mail to slaits@cdc.gov.

Researchers may also wish to join

the SLAITS electronic mail listserv. To

subscribe, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

slaits.htm and follow the instructions

provided. The listserv has approximately

1,000 subscribers around the world who

use SLAITS data or are interested in

SLAITS. Subscribers periodically

receive e-mail containing news about

SLAITS surveys (e.g., new releases or

modifications to existing data),

publications, or related conferences. The

listserv is moderated, and listserv

membership is private.

For more information on CDC,

please contact CDC’s Information

Contact Center (CDC–INFO) (in

English or Spanish) by calling

800–CDC–INFO (800–232–4636) or

e-mailing cdcinfo@cdc.gov. Persons

with hearing impairment may contact

CDC–INFO by TTY at 888–232–6348.

The CDC–INFO fax line is 770–488–

4760. Please note, however, that

CDC–INFO cannot respond to questions

about individual medical cases, provide

second opinions, or make specific

recommendations regarding therapy.

These issues should be addressed

directly with personal health care

providers.

References

1.	 van Dyck P, Kogan MD, Heppel D,

Blumberg SJ, Cynamon ML,

Newacheck PW. The National Survey

of Children’s Health: A new data

resource. Matern Child Health J

8(3):183–8. 2004.

2.	 Blumberg SJ, Olson L, Osborn L, et al.

Design and operation of the National

Survey of Early Childhood Health,

2000. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 1(40). 2002.

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/

nchs/data/series/sr_01/sr01_040.pdf.

3.	 Blumberg SJ, Olson L, Frankel M, et

al. Design and operation of the

National Survey of Children with

Special Health Care Needs, 2001.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 1(41). 2003. Available

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/

series/sr_01/sr01_041.pdf.

4.	 Blumberg SJ, Olson L, Frankel MR, et

al. Design and operation of the

National Survey of Children’s Health,

2003. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 1(43). 2005.

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/

nchs/data/series/sr_01/sr01_043.pdf.

5.	 O’Connor KS, Osborn L, Olson L, et

al. Design and operation of the

National Asthma Survey. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 1(46). 2008. Available

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/

series/sr_01/sr01_046.pdf.

6.	 Blumberg SJ, Welch EM, Chowdhury

SR, et al. Design and operation of the

National Survey of Children With

Special Health Care Needs, 2005–2006.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 1(45). 2008. Available

from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/

series/sr_01/sr01_045.pdf.

7.	 Blumberg SJ, Foster EB, Frasier AM,

et al. Design and operation of the

National Survey of Children’s Health,

2007. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 1.

Forthcoming.

8.	 NORC at the University of Chicago.

2007 Methodology report: National

Immunization Survey. Chicago, IL:

NORC. 2008.

9.	 Zell ER, Ezzati-Rice TM, Battaglia MP,

Wright RA. National Immunization

Survey: The methodology of a

vaccination surveillance system. Public

Health Rep 115(1):65–77. 2000.

10.	 Lepkowski JM. Telephone sampling

methods in the United States. In:

Groves RM, Biemer PP, Lyberg LE, et

al., eds. Telephone Survey

Methodology. New York, NY: Wiley,

73–98. 1988.

11.	 Tucker C, Casady RJ, Lepkowski J. A

hierarchy of list-assisted stratified

telephone sample design options.

Proceedings of the Survey Research

Methods Section. Alexandria, VA:

American Statistical Association,

982–7. 1993.

12.	 Blumberg SJ, Luke JV, Cynamon ML,

Frankel MR. Recent trends in

household telephone coverage in the

United States. In: Lepkowski JM,

Tucker C, Brick JM, et al., eds.

Advances in Telephone Survey

Methodology. Ch 3. New York, NY:

Wiley, 56–86. 2007.

13.	 American Association for Public

Opinion Research. Standard definitions:

Final dispositions of case codes and

outcome rates for surveys. 4th ed.

Lenexa, KS: AAPOR. 2006.

14.	 Ezzati-Rice TM, Cynamon ML,

Blumberg SJ, Madans JH. Use of an

existing sampling frame to collect

broad-based health and health-related

data at the state and local level. Federal

Committee on Statistical Methodology.

Statistical Policy Working Paper

30:283–92. 2000. Available from:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/slaits/

slaits_tele_survey.pdf.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 21

Appendix I 

Sampling and Weighting

Technical Summary

Sample design

NSCH sample design

The basic design objective of the

National Survey of Children’s Health

(NSCH) was to select a sample of 1,700

children under age 18 years in each

state and the District of Columbia. The

sample was selected by identifying

households with children under age 18.

In all sample households where children

were present, one child was selected as

the subject of the interview.

The NSAP sample

Once the NSCH interview had been

completed, if the selected NSCH child

was found to be eligible for the National

Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP)

(i.e., the child was adopted, the adoption

had been finalized, no biological parents

of the child lived in the household, and

the NSCH respondent spoke English),

an attempt was made to conduct an

NSAP interview about that child.

Drawing the NIS sample

The sample of households selected

for screening for NSCH was a

subsample of the households screened

for the National Immunization Survey

(NIS), a continuous, list-assisted,

random-digit-dial (RDD) survey.

Starting in 2007, the base NIS sample

area included 56 regions (50 state or

‘‘rest of state’’ areas plus six grantee

urban areas). The six grantee urban

areas are Chicago, Illinois; Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania; New York City, New

York; Bexar County, Texas; Houston

County, Texas; and Washington, D.C.

Also starting in 2007, state

immunization programs could identify

cities or counties of interest to be

oversampled. Eight of those regions,

which may change annually, were

selected and added to the base NIS

sample area, for a total of 64 sample

areas. For more detail on the NIS

sample design, see the 2007 NIS

methodology report (8).

Associating telephone numbers with

sampling areas

To draw a sample of telephone

numbers in a sampling area, one must

compile a list of all telephone numbers

that belong to that area. For some

sampling areas, this step is

straightforward. For example, when the

sampling area is a state, the list would

consist of all telephone numbers within

the central-office codes that are in

service in the area codes assigned to

that state. (An area code and a

central-office code combine to form a

‘‘prefix area.’’ For example, 312-555­

xxxx is the prefix area corresponding to

the 555 central office in the 312 area

code.)

For other sampling areas, however,

this step encounters several

complications. When the sampling area

is a city, county, or combination of

counties, some prefix areas may cover

part of the sampling area and part of an

adjacent sampling area. In such

situations, NIS applies a proportional

rule: The prefix area is assigned to the

specific sampling area that corresponds

to the maximum share.

Drawing the initial NIS sample

The sampling frame for a sampling

area consists of banks of 100

consecutive telephone numbers within

the prefix areas assigned to the sampling

area. To exclude banks that contain zero

directory-listed residential telephone

numbers, the GENESYS Sampling

System (Marketing Systems Group

(MSG), Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania)

uses a file of directory-listed residential

numbers from InfoUSA (Omaha,

Nebraska). The result is a file that lists

the remaining banks (the ‘‘1+ working

banks’’). From the 1+ working banks, a

random sample of complete 10-digit

telephone numbers is drawn for each

quarter in such a way that each number

has a known and equal probability of

selection. Within each sampling area,

the sample is then segmented into

replicates, or representative subsamples,

with each replicate containing sample

telephone numbers from each of the 64

sampling areas. Segmenting the sample

into replicates allows the controlled

release of telephone numbers over time.

Updating the NIS sampling frame

Because the set of telephone banks

with at least one directory-listed

residential telephone number changes

over time, the sampling frame must be

updated quarterly. Area code splits

produce additional changes to the

sampling frame. MSG maintains a

separate sampling frame for each

sampling area. Each quarter, NORC at

the University of Chicago and MSG

examine the database to determine

whether any currently included banks

should be assigned to different sampling

areas and to assign newly included

banks to sampling areas. The rules for

assignment are the same as in the initial

definitions of the sampling areas.

Once all modifications have been

made to the GENESYS database, a

number of checks ensure that all

changes have been applied correctly and

that the new database produces samples

consistent with those produced prior to

the changes. These checks compare the

numbers of active banks and RDDselectable lines in each sampling area

before and after the update. In parallel,

the numbers of exchanges assigned to

each sampling area before and after the

update are compared. Small changes are

expected because new banks are put into

service as new numbers are assigned. In

the event of a major discrepancy in any

of these checks, MSG is notified of the

difference and is asked to provide

documentation of the reason for the

change.

Preparing the sample

Coordinated management of the

sample follows a sequence of steps. The

initial quarterly sample for each

sampling area is divided into replicates.

Before a replicate is loaded into the

computer-assisted telephone interview

(CATI) system, several stages of

processing remove as many businesses

and nonworking numbers as possible. A

separate step matches the telephone

numbers in the sample against a large
Page 22 [ Series 1, No. 50

database to obtain addresses so that

advance letters can be sent. Telephone

numbers on the NIS ‘‘Do Not Call’’ list

are removed from the sample. Also, at

each quarter, any duplicate telephone

numbers (i.e., numbers that have

appeared in the sample in the three prior

quarters) are identified and omitted from

the sample files.

Forming NIS sample replicates

Instead of using a single size for all

replicates in all sampling areas, NIS

divides the sample in each area into the

same number of replicates: 26. This

procedure permits smoother release of

the sample (at the rate of one or two

replicates per week) for each sampling

area separately, as needed. Toward the

end of the quarter, half-size replicates

allow tighter control over the total

amount of sample released. The aim is

to produce an even distribution of work

in the telephone center over the course

of a quarter.

Removing business and nonworking

numbers

Typically, more than two-thirds of

all selected telephone numbers are

businesses or unassigned. It would be

very inefficient to require the

interviewers to dial and classify all of

these numbers. To prevent that potential

expense, NIS uses another MSG product

(a companion to the GENESYS

Sampling System) to quickly and

accurately reduce the size of this task.

First, the selected sample is

matched against a GENESYS file

containing telephone numbers that are

directory-listed in a business Yellow

Pages and are not directory-listed in a

residential White Pages. Any business

numbers so identified are removed from

the sample.

Second, numbers listed in

residential White Pages are identified

and temporarily set aside.

Third, a hardware system screens

the remaining sample to remove a

portion of the nonworking numbers.

Using personal computers with special

hardware and software, this system (an

‘‘autodialer’’) automatically dials the

telephone numbers to detect nonworking

numbers, which are indicated by the

familiar tri-tone signal for out-of-service

numbers, by an extended period of

silence, or by continuous noise on the

line. During 2000, NIS made a

transition from one hardware system,

GENESYS–ID, which had been used

since the beginning of NIS in 1994, to a

new system, GENESYS–IDplus.

GENESYS–ID minimizes intrusiveness

by hanging up as soon as it detects a

number starting to ring. However,

because some nonworking numbers ring

one or more times before the tri-tone

occurs, GENESYS–ID did not identify

such numbers, which may be a

significant proportion of the total in

some sampling areas. GENESYS–IDplus

was developed to identify more

nonworking-number tri-tones by letting

numbers ring two times before hanging

up. On a national basis, 15%–20% of

the dialed numbers ring and are

answered. To minimize the number of

answered calls, the system is used only

during the daytime, and the answered

calls are routed to an attendant, who

says, ‘‘Sorry, I must have dialed the

wrong number.’’

Finally, the directory-listed

residential numbers are combined with

the numbers that were not removed by

the autodialer to produce the sample for

the telephone center. The numbers

removed within released replicates are

themselves considered released; they are

also considered prescreened and are

assigned disposition codes indicating

that they are resolved, nonresidential

numbers.

Ported cell telephones

A significant recent development in

the telecommunications industry is the

new Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) regulation on

portability. Local number portability

allows wireless telephone customers to

switch from one service provider to

another while retaining the same

telephone number. There are three ways

in which consumers can take advantage

of the new wireless number portability

provisions: wireless-to-wireless,

wireless-to-wireline, and wireline-towireless. The first two ways do not

impact the RDD sampling strategy

because cellular telephone numbers are

not in the RDD sampling frame.

However, the third way—the porting of

wireline numbers to wireless service

providers—creates the possibility of

inadvertently including wireless

telephone numbers in the RDD samples.

FCC rules (implementing the Telephone

Consumer Protection Act of 1991) bar

automated calls to wireless telephone

numbers. To pre-identify landlines that

have been ported to wireless, the

selected NIS sample is matched to the

NeuStar database, which contains the

national list of ported telephone

numbers. Details on the NeuStar

database are available at: http://

www.tcpacompliance.com. Each

quarterly sample is compared with the

database, and the ported numbers are

flagged. The flagged numbers are

assigned an out-of-scope disposition

code and are not called. The numbers in

released replicates are also matched to

the NeuStar database on a daily basis to

identify any new ports that have not

already been finalized within the

telephone center. If a number dialed in

NIS is found to be a wireless telephone,

the call is immediately terminated and

classified as out-of-scope without

seeking an interview.

Obtaining addresses for advance

letters

To obtain addresses that correspond

to telephone numbers in the sample, the

numbers for each replicate are sent to a

vendor, TARGUSinfo (Vienna, Virginia).

TARGUSinfo maintains a large

database, updated daily, for its telephone

Data Express program: over 160 million

residential and business telephone

numbers, including unpublished

telephone numbers. Sources for the data

include call centers and companies in

telecommunications, consumer goods,

and the insurance and credit industries.

After the preresolution operations

described in the foregoing three

sections, the use of TARGUSinfo

yielded addresses for about 58.8% of the

telephone numbers loaded into the CATI

system. Advance letters were sent to

these addresses. The mailing was

approximately 10 days, or two

weekends, prior to the time when the

telephone numbers in the corresponding
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 23

replicates were scheduled to be called.

‘‘Do Not Call’’ requests

A file is maintained containing

telephone numbers of people who have

requested that they not be called. The

file was inherited from the previous NIS

contractor and was updated throughout

2007 and quarter 1 of 2008 to reflect

new requests. Each quarter’s sample is

compared with this file, and numbers

contained in the Do Not Call list are not

included in the quarterly sample of

numbers loaded into the CATI system.

Duplicate telephone numbers

Because of the repeated quarterly

sampling operations in each sampling

area, some telephone numbers were

selected more than once. To increase the

annual effective sample size and avoid

any respondent problems created by

recontacts for the same survey, a further

step of sampling identified duplicate

numbers. Each quarterly sample file was

compared with all sample files for the

three prior quarters, and duplicate

numbers were excluded from the current

quarterly sample file. Thus, the quarterly

samples were essentially selected by a

method of without-replacement

sampling.

Weighting procedures

NSAP weighting procedures

The NSAP weighting process was

performed in four steps:

1.Obtaining NSAP base weight.

Because the NSAP sample is

obtained from completed NSCH

cases, the NSAP base weight for

each case was defined as the final

NSCH weight for that child. The

final NSCH weights were derived by

applying adjustments to account for

nonresponse, for households with

multiple telephone numbers, and for

noncoverage of children in

households without landline

telephones, as well as adjustments to

known population control estimates.

For a detailed description of the

derivation of the final NSCH

weights, refer to the 2007 NSCH

design and operations report (7).

2.Adjustment for incomplete NSAP

screener. The children with

completed NSCH interviews were

screened for NSAP. Because not all

completed NSCH cases complete the

NSAP screener, an adjustment for

this nonresponse was applied to the

cases for which the NSAP screener

was completed. The screener

nonresponse adjusted weight was

derived by dividing the NSAP base

weight for each child by the

weighted NSAP screener completion

rate for the adjustment cell

containing the child. The adjustment

cells were formed using the

following variables, in order of

priority:

+ Age group.

+ Health insurance.

+ Number of children in the 

household. 

Cells for which the number of

responding cases was less than 20 were

collapsed. Because NSAP cases come

from completed NSCH cases, any

missing values of the above variables

were already imputed as part of NSCH

weighting, hence, no new imputation

was required.

3.Adjustment for incomplete NSAP

interview. To compensate for

nonresponse to the NSAP interview,

the weights of the children with

complete NSAP interviews were

adjusted. The nonresponse adjusted

weight was derived by dividing the

screener nonresponse adjusted

weight for each child by the

weighted NSAP interview

completion rate for the adjustment

cell containing the child. The

adjustment cells were formed using

the following variables, in order of

priority:

+ Type of adoption.

+ Age group.

+ Race/ethnicity.

Cells for which the number of

responding cases was less than 20 were

collapsed.

4.Raking adjustment. Lastly, a raking

adjustment was applied to the

completed cases. Because there are

no external control totals on adopted

children, this raking adjustment only

ensured that the sums of weights

before and after interview

nonresponse adjustment were equal

in terms of the raking variables. That

is, the control totals were obtained

by summing the NSAP screener

weights of the NSAP-eligible cases.

The raking adjustment was applied

using the following margins within each

Census Bureau region:

+	 Number of male and female adopted

children within each of three age

groups.

+	 Number of adopted children, by type

of adoption, within each of three age

groups.

+	 Race/ethnicity.

+	 Number of adopted children in

households, by highest reported

education in the household.

+	 Number of children in households,

by household income.

+	 Number of adopted children in

metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)

and non-MSAs.

The categories of these raking

dimensions were collapsed if the

number of cases was less than 20 or if

there was any difficulty in convergence.

The raked weights can be expressed

as the nonresponse-adjusted weight for

the child, multiplied by the raking

adjustment factor for the child, derived

through the iteration process.

At this point, the weights were

checked for extreme values. Similar to

the process for NIS, weights that

exceeded the median weight plus six

times the interquartile range of the

weights (at the Census Region level)

were truncated to this cutoff. The raking

procedure was applied again after

truncation of the weights, and the

weights were rechecked for extreme

weights and truncated as before. The

process was repeated until there was no

extreme weight after raking.

The repeated raking and truncation

produced a final NSAP weight for each

child with a complete NSAP interview.

National estimates and summary

statistics of weights

Descriptive statistics for the final

NSAP weight are provided in Table I.
Page 24 [ Series 1, No. 50

Table I. Summary statistics for NSAP final

weight

Statistic Value

Unweighted sample size ...... 2,089

Minimum weight. . . . . . . . . . . . 4.04

Maximum weight ........... 6,761.65

Mean weight .............. 853.05

Median weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . 395.34

Sum of weights ............ 1,782,024.84

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSAP, 2007.

The final NSAP weight is used to obtain

estimates at the national level.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 25

Appendix II 

Banked Sample

In the usual State and Local Area

Integrated Telephone Survey (SLAITS)

operation, households that screen as

ineligible for the National Immunization

Survey (NIS), or those that screen as

NIS-eligible and complete the NIS

interview, move directly (on the same

call, where feasible) to the SLAITS

portion of the computer-assisted

telephone interview (CATI) instrument

for SLAITS screening and interviewing.

However, in quarter 1 of 2007

(Q1/2007) the CATI instrument was not

finalized at the time NIS was being

fielded, so households could not move

on to National Survey of Children’s

Health (NSCH) screening and

interviewing directly upon finishing

NIS.

As in other quarters, in Q1/2007 a

portion of the NIS sample was flagged

for NSCH. Although NSCH screening

and interviewing could not be done in

Q1/2007, to take advantage of the NIS

screening that was done in Q1/2007, a

subsample of the initially flagged NSCH

sample was drawn, using the outcomes

of the NIS dialing operation as

stratifiers to increase efficiency.

First, every NSCH-flagged case that

completed NIS, either as NIS-ineligible

or as NIS-eligible with a completed NIS

interview, was included in the

subsample with certainty. These cases

were dialed for NSCH screening and

interviewing between May and October

2007.

Next, the NSCH-flagged cases that

did not complete NIS (either as

NIS-ineligible or as NIS-eligible with a

completed NIS interview) were sent

through GENESYS–IDplus in

November 2007, which screened out a

portion of the cases as businesses and

nonworking telephone numbers. Any

case that was screened out by

GENESYS–IDplus was included in the

subsample with certainty but was never

dialed for NSCH interviewing.

Finally, 10,000 cases were selected

from among the NSCH-flagged cases

that did not complete NIS (either as

NIS-ineligible or as NIS-eligible with a

completed NIS interview) and were not

screened out by GENESYS–IDplus. The

cases were selected using state and NIS

outcome as strata. The 10,000 cases

were allocated to each state in

proportion to the number of cases

initially flagged for NSCH in that state.

(For example, if 1/40th of Q1/2007

initially flagged NSCH cases fell within

a particular state, then that state was

allocated 1/40th of the 10,000 cases, or

250 cases.) Within each state, the cases

were grouped into four strata according

to the outcome of the NIS dialing effort

in Q1/2007:

1. Screened for NIS age eligibility.

2. Identified as a known household by

NIS but not screened for NIS age

eligibility.

3. Final NIS disposition of ‘‘likely

household’’ or ‘‘answering

machine.’’

4. Final NIS disposition of

‘‘noncontact,’’ ‘‘nonresidential,’’ or

‘‘nonworking telephone number.’’

Within each state, cases from the

first stratum were selected with

certainty, and cases in strata 2, 3, and 4

were selected at an equal rate, where

this rate varied by state so as to yield

the appropriate total number of cases

selected in each state based on the

state-level allocation of the 10,000

cases. Once the 10,000 cases were

chosen in this way, the cases were

dialed for NSCH screening and

interviewing from December 2007 to

April 2008.

With this approach, the final

Q1/2007 NSCH sample consisted of a

subsample of the initially flagged

Q1/2007 NSCH sample, in three

segments:

1. Cases that finished NIS either as

NIS-ineligible or NIS-eligible with a

completed NIS interview. These

cases were included in the

subsample with probability 1.

2. Cases not in segment 1 that were

screened as businesses or

nonworking telephone numbers by

GENESYS–IDplus. These cases

were included in the subsample with

probability 1.

3. The 10,000 cases not in segments 1

or 2 that were selected using the

NIS outcomes as strata. These cases

were included in the subsample with

probability less than or equal to 1.
Page 26 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix III

Questionnaire

This appendix contains the National

Survey of Adoptive Parents

questionnaire. The National Survey of

Children’s Health (NSCH) questionnaire

can be found in the 2007 NSCH design

and operations report (7) and online at

the State and Local Area Integrated

Telephone Survey web site (http://

www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm).
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 27 

National Survey of Adoptive Parents 

HARDCOPY QUESTIONNAIRE 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

NSCH KEY QUESTIONS FOR SCREENING IN ADOPTIVE FAMILIES .............................................................28 

NSAP ADDITIONS TO EXISTING NSCH INSTRUMENT.......................................................................................31 

PROGRAMMING KEY ..................................................................................................................................................34 

NSAP SCREENER ...........................................................................................................................................................37 

CHARACTERISTICS .....................................................................................................................................................43 

PARENT AND CHILD WELL-BEING.........................................................................................................................77 

ADOPTION AGREEMENT AND POST ADOPTION SERVICES – FINANCIAL.................................................87 

POST ADOPTION SUPPORTS – NON-FINANCIAL...............................................................................................101 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 28 □ Series 1, No. 50 

NSCH KEY QUESTIONS FOR SCREENING IN ADOPTIVE FAMILIES 

K1Q02	 What is your relationship to [S.C.]? 

(01) MOTHER (BIOLOGICAL, STEP, FOSTER, ADOPTIVE) 

(02) FATHER (BIOLOGICAL, STEP, FOSTER, ADOPTIVE) 

(03) SISTER (STEP/FOSTER/HALF/ADOPTIVE) 

(04) BROTHER (STEP/FOSTER/HALF/ADOPTIVE) 

(05) IN-LAW OF ANY TYPE 

(06) AUNT 

(07) UNCLE 

(08) GRANDPARENT 

(09) OTHER FAMILY MEMBER 

(10) OTHER NON-RELATIVE 

(11) FEMALE GUARDIAN 

(12) MALE GUARDIAN 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

K9Q10	 CATI INSTRUCTION (K9Q10): IF K1Q02 IS NOT MOTHER (1) OR FATHER (2), SKIP TO 

K9Q11. IF K1Q02 = 1, REMOVE RESPONSE CATEGORIES 05-08. ELSE IF K1Q02 = 2, 

REMOVE RESPONSE CATEGORIES 01-04. 

Earlier you told me you are [S.C.]’s (Mother/Father). Are you [S.C.]’s biological, adoptive, step, or 

foster (mother/father)]? 

(01) BIOLOGICAL MOTHER 

(02) STEP MOTHER 

(03) FOSTER MOTHER 

(04) ADOPTIVE MOTHER 

(05) BIOLOGICAL FATHER 

(06) STEP FATHER 

(07) FOSTER FATHER 

(08) ADOPTIVE FATHER 

(09) OTHER 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

K9Q11	 CATI INSTRUCTION (K9Q11): IF K1Q02 = 01 OR 02, AND K9Q00 = S_UNDR18 + 1 [I.E., IF 

THERE IS ONLY ONE ADULT IN HOUSEHOLD AND THAT ADULT IS A MOTHER OR 

FATHER], SKIP TO K9Q13. 

IF K1Q02= 01, 02, 6, OR 7, DO NOT READ THE FIRST SENTENCE. ELSE, FILL THE FIRST 

SENTENCE ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING RULES: 

IF K1Q02= 03, 04, FILL ‘sibling’; 

IF K1Q02= 05, 06, 07, 09 FILL ‘relative’; 

IF K1Q02= 08, FILL ‘grandparent’; 

IF K1Q02= 10, FILL ‘friend’; 

IF K1Q02= 10, 11, 12 FILL ‘guardian’; 

IF K1Q02 = 01 OR 02, FILL THE SECOND SENTENCE WITH “other”. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 29 

[Earlier you told me you are [S.C.]’s (ANSWER TO K1Q02).] Does [S.C.] have any (other) parents, 

or people who act as (his/her) parents, living here? 

(1) YES [SKIP TO K9Q12] 

(2) NO [SKIP TO K9Q13] 

(6) DON’T KNOW [SKIP TO K9Q13] 

(7) REFUSED [SKIP TO K9Q13] 

K9Q12 INDEX What is their relationship to [S.C.]? [MARK ALL THAT APPLY.] 

HELP SCREEN (K9Q12): IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS “MOTHER” OR “FATHER,” THEN 

ASK: ‘Is that (his/her) biological, adoptive, step, or foster (mother/father)?’ 

K9Q12X01 BIOLOGICAL MOTHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X02 STEP MOTHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X03 FOSTER MOTHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X04 ADOPTIVE MOTHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X05 BIOLOGICAL FATHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X06 STEP FATHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X07 FOSTER FATHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X08 ADOPTIVE FATHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X09 SISTER OR BROTHER (STEP/FOSTER/HALF/ADOPTIVE) 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X10 IN-LAW OF ANY TYPE 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X11 AUNT/UNCLE 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X12 GRANDMOTHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X13 GRANDFATHER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X14 OTHER FAMILY MEMBER 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X15 FEMALE GUARDIAN 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X16 MALE GUARDIAN 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X17 RESPONDENT’S PARTNER OR BOY/GIRLFRIEND 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X18 OTHER NON-RELATIVE 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 

K9Q12X19 TWO OR MORE OF THE SAME RELATIONSHIP TYPE 

(1) YES (0) NO (6) DON’T KNOW (7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

Page 30 □ Series 1, No. 50 

IF NUMBER OF SELECTIONS IN K9Q12 INDEX > K9Q00 - S_UNDR18), 

[DISPLAY WARNING TEXT] 

ELSE IF K9Q12X19 = 1, [SKIP TO K9Q12_T] 

ELSE [SKIP TO K9Q12_A] 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 31 

NSAP ADDITIONS TO EXISTING NSCH INSTRUMENT 

(ADDITIONS ALREADY APPEAR IN CURRENT NSCH INSTRUMENT) 

K9Q12_A	 CATI INSTRUCTION (K9Q12_A): IF BOTH BIOLOGICAL MOTHER AND BIOLOGICAL 

FATHER IN HH [(K9Q10 = 01 AND K9Q12X05 = 1) OR (K9Q10 = 05 AND K9Q12X01 = 1)], 

SKIP TO K9Q18. IF ANY BIOLOGICAL MOTHER OR BIOLOGICAL FATHER IN HH BUT 

NOT BOTH [(K9Q10 = 01 OR K9Q10 = 05) OR (K9Q12X01 = 1 OR K9Q12X05 = 1)], SKIP TO 

K9Q13. IF RESPONDENT IS ADOPTIVE MOTHER OR ADOPTIVE FATHER (K9Q10 = 04 OR 

K9Q10 = 08), SKIP TO K9Q13. 

Have you legally adopted [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

K11Q38	 CATI INSTRUCTION (K11Q38): IF ANY BIOLOGICAL MOTHER OR BIOLOGICAL FATHER 

IN HH (K9Q10 = 01 OR K9Q10 = 05 OR K9Q12X01 = 1 OR K9Q12X05 = 1), SKIP TO K11Q41. IF 

NO BIOLOGICAL PARENT IN HH AND IF ANY ADOPTIVE PARENT OR GUARDIAN IN 

HOUSEHOLD (K9Q10 = 04 OR K9Q10 = 08 OR K9Q12X04 = 1 OR K9Q12X08 = 1 OR K9Q12_A 

= 1), ASK K11Q38. ELSE, SKIP TO K11Q41. 

Was [S.C.] adopted from another country? 

(1) YES	 [SKIP TO K11Q41] [SC Sorts as International Adoption] 

(0) NO	 [SKIP TO K11Q40] 

(6) DON’T KNOW [SKIP TO K11Q40] 

(7) REFUSED [SKIP TO K11Q40] 

K11Q40	 CATI INSTRUCTION (K11Q40): IF ANY BIOLOGICAL MOTHER OR BIOLOGICAL FATHER 

IN HH (K9Q10 = 01 OR K9Q10 = 05 OR K9Q12X01 = 1 OR K9Q12X05 = 1), SKIP TO K11Q41. IF 

NO BIOLOGICAL PARENT IN HH AND IF ANY ADOPTIVE PARENT OR GUARDIAN IN 

HOUSEHOLD (K9Q10 = 04 OR K9Q10 = 08 OR K9Q12X04 = 1 OR K9Q12X08 = 1 OR K9Q12_A 

= 1), ASK K11Q40. ELSE, SKIP TO K11Q41. 

Prior to being adopted, was [S.C.] in the legal custody of a state or county child welfare 

agency in the United States? That is, was [S.C.] in the U.S. foster care system? 

(1) YES [SC Sorts as Foster Care Adoption] 

(2) NO [SC Sorts as Private Adoption] 

(6) DON’T KNOW [SC Sorts as Private Adoption] 

(7) REFUSED [SC Sorts as Private Adoption] 

NSAP_1A 

Thank you for the time you have spent answering these questions. Before I go, I want to 

make you aware of another survey you are eligible for. Because you indicated that you are 

[S.C.]’s adoptive parent, you are eligible to be part of The National Survey of Adoptive 

Parents – the first national survey of its kind about the health and well-being of adopted 

children and their families. The adoption survey will ask questions related to post-adoption 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 32 □ Series 1, No. 50 

services and other adoption-specific topics. Participation in the adoption survey is voluntary 

and you would receive payment of $25 for your participation. Because you have already 

spent time with us on the phone, we would be happy to call you back for this interview. It 

would take about half an hour of your time. 

When would be a convenient time for you to participate in the National Survey of Adoptive 

Parents? 

NSAP Gaining Cooperation Techniques to Use: 

• Thank them for their participation in NIS/NSCH. 

• Tell them we need the participation of ALL adoptive parents to make the survey a success 

(“We really need your help!”) 

• Be understanding that they spent a long time completing NSCH (or NIS) 

• Emphasize that we want to set a callback for whenever it is convenient for them 

• Remind them that they will be reimbursed $25 

• Encourage them to set the callback and at least get started on the interview 

(1) R GIVES SPECIFIC TIME > SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT AND THEN GO TO K_END2 

(2) R DOES NOT GIVE SPECIFIC TIME > GO TO NSAP_1B 

(3) CONTINUE TO NSAP > GO TO CONSENT_INTRO 

IF <BLUE X, ABANDON> USED FROM THIS PAGE, THEN ALL ITS OUTCOMES RESULTING 

IN SCHEDULING FOR A CALLBACK SHOULD SET THE POINT OF RETURN TO 

NSAP_INTRO (SAME CALLBACK PATH AS IF RESPONSE 1 OR 2 WERE USED) 

NSAP_1B 

That’s fine. I can call back later to discuss your participation in the adoption survey. You can 

also call us at [TEXTFILL: If Sample Use Code = 1 or 2: 1-8 6 6 – 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0, if sample 

use code = 3: 1 - 8 8 8 – 9 9 0 – 9 9 8 6] to schedule an interview. 

GO TO K_END2 

NSAP_2A	 IF <BLUE X, ABANDON> USED FROM THIS PAGE, THEN ALL ITS OUTCOMES RESULTING 

IN SCHEDULING FOR A CALLBACK SHOULD SET THE POINT OF RETURN TO 

NSAP_INTRO (SAME CALLBACK PATH AS IF RESPONSE 1 OR 2 WERE USED) 

Thank you for the time you have spent answering these questions. Before I go, I want to 

make you aware of another survey your household is eligible for. Because you indicated that 

another member of the household is [S.C.]’s adoptive parent, your household is eligible to be 

part of The National Survey of Adoptive Parents – the first national survey of its kind about 

the health and well-being of adopted children and their families. The adoption survey will 

ask questions related to post-adoption services and other adoption-specific topics. 

Participation in the adoption survey is voluntary and (he/she) would receive payment of $25 

for (his/her) participation. Because you have already spent time with us on the phone, we 

would be happy to call [S.C.]’s adoptive parent back for this interview. It would take about 

half an hour of (his/her) time. 

When would be a convenient time for [S.C.]’s adoptive parent to participate in the National 

Survey of Adoptive Parents? 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 33 

NSAP Gaining Cooperation Techniques to Use: 

• Thank them for their participation in NIS/NSCH. 

• Tell them we need the participation of ALL adoptive parents to make the survey a success 

(“We really need your help!”) 

• Be understanding that they spent a long time completing NSCH (or NIS) 

• Emphasize that we want to set a callback for whenever it is convenient for them 

• Remind them that they will be reimbursed $25 

• Encourage them to set the callback and at least get started on the interview 

(1) R GIVES SPECIFIC TIME > SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT AND THEN GO TO K_END2 

(2) R DOES NOT GIVE SPECIFIC TIME > GO TO NSAP_1B 

(3) CONTINUE TO NSAP > GO TO CONSENT_INTRO 

NSAP_2B 

That’s fine. I can call back later to discuss (his/her) participation in the adoption survey. You 

can also let [S.C.]’s adoptive parent know that (he/she) can call us at [TEXTFILL: If Sample 

Use Code = 1 or 2: 1-8 6 6 – 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0, if sample use code = 3: 1 - 8 8 8 – 9 9 0 – 9 9 8 

6] to schedule an interview. 

GO TO K_END2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 34 □ Series 1, No. 50 

PROGRAMMING KEY 

THIS KEY PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INSTRUMENT TO FACILITATE PROGRAMMING. 

•	 SKIP INSTRUCTIONS ARE CONTAINED WITHIN “<....>” SYMBOLS. 

•	 WHEN A SKIP INSTRUCTION IS NOT WRITTEN NEXT TO A RESPONSE OPTION, THIS RESPONSE GOES TO THE 

NEXT ITEM. 

•	 WHEN SKIPPING TO AN ITEM, INCLUDE ANY INTRODUCTORY TEXT BEFORE THAT ITEM. FOR EXAMPLE, 

WHEN SKIPPING TO C1A_M, INCLUDE THE TEXT BEFORE THIS ITEM: “NOW I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU A 

FEW QUESTIONS...” 

•	 TEXTFILLS ARE CONTAINED WITHIN “[...]” SYMBOLS. 

•	 “APPROXIMATE YEAR OF ADOPTION” (DRIVES SKIP AT CHECKPOINT BEFORE F19) IS CALCULATED AS 

FOLLOWS: CURRENT YEAR MINUS (SC’S AGE FROM AGE GRID IN THE NSCH) PLUS (SC’S AGE AT 

ADOPTION FROM C1A_M) = APPROXIMATE YEAR OF ADOPTION 

If approximate year of adoption = 1997 or later ask F19 

Example: Current year = 2006, AGE GRID = 10 years, C1A_M = years 

2006 – 10 + 1 = 1997 

The purpose of this calculation is to be sure to include all adoptions that occurred in 1998 or later – even 

though this will include some in 1997, too. The cutoff is 1997 b/c a child could have been adopted in 

1998 but appear to have been adopted in 1997 if the adoption finalization happened earlier in the year 

than their birthday and the interview is taking place after the child’s birthday for the current year. 

•	 ADOPTION GROUP DRIVES NUMEROUS SKIPS THROUGHOUT THIS INSTRUMENT. BELOW ARE THE 

DEFINITIONS OF THE THREE ADOPTION GROUPS: 

IF K11Q38=YES: INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION 

IF K11Q40=YES: FOSTER CARE ADOPTION 

IF K11Q40=NO OR DON’T KNOW OR REFUSED: PRIVATE ADOPTION 

•	 THERE ARE SEVERAL TEXTFILLS THAT APPEAR REPEATEDLY THROUGHOUT THE INSTRUMENT. TO AVOID 

CLUTTERING THE INSTRUMENT WITH THE SAME LOGIC RULES OVER AND OVER, THE TEXTFILL RULES ARE 

PROVIDED HERE: 

SC’S NAME: 

Textfill Child’s name for [S.C.] throughout instrument 

GENDER: 

IF K1Q01=1, SC IS MALE, USE MALE PRONOUNS (HE, HIM, HIS, ETC...) 

IF K1Q01=2, SC IS FEMALE, USE FEMALE PRONOUNS (SHE, HER, ETC....) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 35 

HOUSEHOLD TEXTFILL: 

USE “YOU” OR “YOUR”... (DO NOT USE “SPOUSE/PARTNER” TEXTFILL) IF THERE IS ONLY ONE ADOPTIVE 

PARENT IN THE HH. SPECIFICALLY: 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q11 = NO OR DON’T KNOW OR REFUSED) OR 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 INDEX DOES NOT = 04 OR 08) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = YES) AND (K9Q11 = NO OR DON’T KNOW OR REFUSED) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = YES) AND (K9Q12 INDEX DOES NOT = 04 OR 08) 

IF (K9Q10 DOES NOT = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 INDEX = 04 OR 08) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = NO OR DON’T KNOW OR REFUSED) AND (K9Q12 INDEX = 04 OR 08) OR 

IF (S3 = 3) 

TEXTFILL = “YOU OR/AND YOUR SPOUSE” OR “YOUR OR/AND YOUR SPOUSE’S”....IF THERE ARE TWO 

ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN THE HH AND THEY ARE SPOUSES. SPECIFICALLY: 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 1) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = 1) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 1) OR 

IF (K9Q12 = 04 AND 08) AND (S3_N = 1) 

TEXTFILL = “YOU OR/AND YOUR PARTNER” OR “YOUR OR/AND YOUR PARTNER’S”....IF THERE ARE TWO 

ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN THE HH AND THEY ARE PARTNERS. SPECIFICALLY: 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 2) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = 1) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 2) OR 

IF (K9Q12 = 04 AND 08) AND (S3_N = 2) 

TEXTFILL: 

USE "MY SPOUSE AND I WERE" 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 1) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = 1) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 1) OR 

IF (K9Q12 = 04 AND 08) AND (S3_N = 1) 

USE "MY PARTNER AND I WERE" 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 2) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = 1) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 2) OR 

IF (K9Q12 = 04 AND 08) AND (S3_N = 2) 

USE "I WAS" 

IFS3_N=3,4,6,7 

TEXTFILL: 

USE "OR YOUR SPOUSE'S" 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 1) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = 1) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 1) OR 

IF (K9Q12 = 04 AND 08) AND (S3_N = 1) 

USE "OR YOUR PARTNER'S" 

IF (K9Q10 = 04 OR 08) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 2) OR 

IF (K9Q12_A = 1) AND (K9Q12 = 04 OR 08) AND (S3_N = 2) OR 

IF (K9Q12 = 04 AND 08) AND (S3_N = 2) 
 

 

Page 36 □ Series 1, No. 50 

TIME OF ADOPTION TEXTFILL: 

IF (SC’s age from AGE GRID) minus (SC’s age at adoption from C1A_M) = 1 or 0 use textfill: “Since the 

time of SC’s adoption” 

IF (SC’s age from AGE GRID) minus (SC’s age at adoption from C1A_M) = 2 or more use textfill: “During 

the last 12 months” 
 

NSAP SCREENER 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_S1 (all time stamps captured in the format yyyymmddhhmmss) 

CPINTRO	 CATI INSTRUCTIONS (S1pre): 

IF NSAP_2A=3 GO TO SWITCH_AP / ELSE GO TO NSAP_INTRO. 

SWITCH_AP	 Hello, my name is ________________. I'm calling on behalf of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. We are doing a survey about the experiences of adoptive parents. 

GO TO S1PREB 

NSAP_INTRO 

 Hello, my name is ________________. I'm calling on behalf of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. We previously scheduled this time to speak with [TEXTFILL 

NAME OF PERSON SCHEDULED]. 

 

 (1) CONTINUE 

S1PRE. CATI INSTRUCTIONS (S1PRE): IF NSAP INTERVIEW FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY 

AFTER NSCH INTERVIEW WITHOUT CALLBACK, SKIP TO CONSENT_INTRO. 

INTERVIEWER: PLEASE VERIFY THAT RESPONDENT IS, [S.C.]’S [TEXTFILL IF 

K9Q10=04 OR K9Q12=04 "ADOPTIVE MOTHER" ELSE IF K9Q10=08 OR K9Q12=08 

"ADOPTIVE FATHER" ELSE IF K9Q12_A=1 “ADOPTIVE PARENT”)]. 

Are you the adoptive parent of [S.C.] whom we spoke with previously about [S.C.]'s health? 

 (1) YES > GO TO S1PREB 

(2) NO > GO TO S1PRE2 

S1PRE2. Are you [S.C.]'s other adoptive parent? 

(1)YES > GO TO S1PREB 

(2) NO, RESPONDENT IS NOT AN ADOPTIVE PARENT > GO TO S1PRE3 

S1PRE3. When would be a good time to reach [S.C.]'s adoptive parent? 

(1) R IS AVAILABLE NOW > GO TO NSAP_INTRO2 

(2) SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT > GO TO CB1 

(3) THERE IS NO ADOPTIVE PARENT IN HOUSEHOLD > GO TO NSAP_TERM 

NSAP_INTRO2. 

Hello, my name is ________________. I'm calling on behalf of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. We are doing a survey about the experiences of adoptive parents. 

(1) CONTINUE > GO TO S1PRE 

NSAP_TERM	 Those are all the questions I have. I’d like to thank you on behalf of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention for the time and effort you’ve spent answering these questions. 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 37 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 38 □ Series 1, No. 50 

S1PREB. What is your relationship to [S.C.]? 

(1) ADOPTIVE MOTHER 

(2) ADOPTIVE FATHER 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

CONSENT_INTRO 

Before we continue, I'd like you to know that taking part in this research is voluntary. You 

may choose not to answer any questions you don't wish to answer or end the interview at any 

time. Whether or not you take part in this survey has no effect on benefits and no known 

risks. We are required by Federal law to develop and follow strict procedures to protect your 

information and use your answers only for statistical research. I can describe these laws if 

you wish. The survey will take about half an hour. In appreciation for your time, we will send 

you $ [Text Fill: IF NSAP_INCENT=<null>, then use 25 / ELSE use NSAP_INCENT]. In 

order to review my work, my supervisor may record and listen as I ask the questions. I'd like 

to continue now unless you have any questions. 

READ IF NECESSARY: The Public Health Service Act is Volume 42 of the US Code, 

Section 242k. The collection of information in this survey is authorized by Section 306 of this 

Act. The confidentiality of your responses is assured by Section 308d of this Act and by the 

Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act. Would you like me to read 

the Confidential Information Protection provisions to you? 

IF RESPONDENT WOULD LIKE TO HEAR PROVISIONS, READ: The information you 

provide will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with the Confidential 

Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347 and other 

applicable Federal laws, your responses will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in 

identifiable form to anyone other than employees or agents. By law, every employee of the 

National Center for Health Statistics, the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory 

Diseases, and its agent, the National Opinion Research Center who works on this survey has 

taken an oath and is subject to a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, if 

he or she willingly discloses ANY identifiable information about you or your household 

members. 

(1) CONTINUE, RECORDING ACCEPTABLE 

(2) CONTINUE, DO NOT RECORD 

<CHECKPOINT CPS1: IF K11Q38=1 (INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION), GO TO S1_N; ELSE GO TO 

CPS3> 

S1_N.	 From what country was [S.C.] adopted? 

DROP DOWN LIST FROM STATE DEPARTMENT 

BRAZIL 

CHINA (MAINLAND) 

COLOMBIA 

ETHIOPIA 

GUATEMALA 

HAITI 

INDIA 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 39 

JAMAICA 

KAZAKHSTAN 

LIBERIA 

MEXICO 

MOLDOVA 

NEPAL 

NIGERIA 

PHILLIPINES 

POLAND 

RUSSIA 

SOUTH KOREA 

TAIWAN 

THAILAND 

UKRAINE 

OTHER <GO TO S1AA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER IS NOT SELECTED, GO TO S1B> 

S1AA. ________________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S1B. In what country was [S.C.]’s adoption completed? 

(1) IN THE UNITED STATES 

(2) THE CHILD’S COUNTRY OF ORIGIN 

(3) BOTH THE U.S. AND THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN 

(4) ADOPTION IS NOT FINALIZED YET 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPS3: IF K9Q17A EQ 1, FILL S3_N EQ 1, GO TO CPS4; ELSE IF 

K9Q17A EQ 2, FILL S3_N EQ 2, GO TO CPS4; ELSE IF 

(K9Q12=04 OR 08 AND K9Q10=04 OR 08) OR (K9Q12=04 OR 08 AND 

K9Q12_A=1)OR(K9Q12=04 AND K9Q12=08),GO TO S3_N; 

ELSE GO TO CPS4> 

S3_N. What is your relationship to [S.C.]’s other adoptive parent who lives in this household? 

(1) SPOUSE/HUSBAND/WIFE 

(2) PARTNER/BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND 

(3) OTHER 

(4) THERE IS NO OTHER ADOPTIVE PARENT IN THIS HOUSEHOLD 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 40 □ Series 1, No. 50 

<CHECKPOINT CPS4: ASK S4_N IF THERE ARE TWO ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN THE 

HOUSEHOLD. SPECIFICALLY: 

IF (K9Q12=04 OR 08 AND K9Q10=04 OR 08)OR(K9Q12=04 OR 08 AND 

K9Q12_A=1)OR(K9Q12=04 AND K9Q12=08) GO TO S4_N / ELSE GO TO S6> 

S4_N. Were you married to [S.C.]’s other adoptive parent at the time of [S.C.]’s adoption? 

(1) YES <IF S3_N=1 GO TO S6; ELSE GO TO S4A> 

(2) NO < GO TO S6 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW < GO TO S6 > 

(7) REFUSED < GO TO S6 > 

S4A. Are you still married to this person? 

(1) YES <GO TO S6> 

(2) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S6. Before you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner] adopted [S.C.], were you [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse/partner] already related to him/her? For example, were you [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse/partner] [S.C.]’s grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other relative? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S7. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] know [S.C.] before [TEXTFILL: if S6=1: you 

considered adopting [him/her]; if S6 ne 1: being matched with [him/her] for adoption]? 

(1) YES <If ADOPT_TYPE = International or Private GO TO C41> 

(0) NO <If ADOPT_TYPE = International or Private GO TO C41> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <If ADOPT_TYPE = International or Private GO TO C41> 

(7) REFUSED <If ADOPT_TYPE = International or Private GO TO C41> 

S8. Were you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] [S.C.]’s foster parent at the time you began 

the adoption process? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO S9> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO S9> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO S9> 

S8A. Are you currently a licensed foster parent? 

(1) YES 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 41 

(0) NO <GO TO CPS10> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPS10> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPS10> 

S8B.	 In the past three months have you cared for foster children in your home? 

(1) YES <GO TO CPS10> 

(0) NO <GO TO CPS10> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPS10> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPS10> 

S9. At any time before the adoption was finalized, were you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] 

[S.C.]’s foster parent? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPS10: IF S8= 1 OR S9= 1 GO TO S10; ELSE GO TO S14A> 

S10. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] become a foster parent with the intent to adopt 

a child from the foster care system? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S11. How long was [S.C.] living in your home before his/her case goal became adoption? 

READ IF NECESSARY: How long was (child) living in your home before you decided you 

wanted to adopt [him/her] from the foster care system? 

S11_Y __ Years 

S11_M __Months 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

[TI INSTRUCTION: ENTER 0 IF GOAL WAS ALWAYS ADOPTION] 

S12. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] feel pressured by the child welfare agency to 

adopt [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 
Page 42 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S13. When you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner] were making your decision to adopt [S.C.] 

were other options such as [TEXTFILL: IF S8=1: continuing as/ELSE: becoming] (his/her) 

foster parent or becoming (his/her) legal guardian discussed with you? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S14A. Were any of the following agencies involved in the adoption of [S.C.]: 

Public child welfare agency, that is, the state or county department of social services? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S14B. Private agency under contract with public child welfare agency (for example, Catholic 

Charities, Lutheran Social Services)? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Were any of the following agencies involved in the adoption of 

[S.C.]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

S15. Was S.C.'s adoption an interstate adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<HELP SCREEN: Prior to [S.C.] coming to live with you, did you and [S.C.] live in different 

states?> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 43 

CHARACTERISTICS 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_C1 

C41. Now I would like to ask you a few questions about [S.C.] and the experience of adopting 

(him/her). Overall, was your [TEXTFILL: and your spouse’s/partner’s] experience with your 

adoption agency or attorney very positive, positive, mixed negative, or very negative? 

(1) VERY POSITIVE 

(2) POSITIVE 

(3) MIXED 

(4) NEGATIVE 

(5) VERY NEGATIVE 

(6) THERE WAS NO ATTORNEY OR AGENCY 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

C1A_M. How old was [S.C.] when his/her adoption was finalized? 

C1A_M_year: ___ years and 

C1A_M_month: ___ months 

<AGE CHECK: C1A_M MUST BE < OR = AGE_NSCH > 

[TI INSTRUCTION: IF LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD, ENTER “0” FOR YEARS] 

OR 

C1A_M_week: ___ weeks [RANGE: 0-52, 96, 97] 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C1B.	 How old was [S.C.] when he/she was first placed in your home? 

C1B_year:	 ___years and 

C1B_month:	 ___ months 

<AGE CHECK: C1B MUST BE < OR = AGE_NSCH> 

[TI INSTRUCTION: IF LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD, ENTER “0” FOR YEARS] 

OR 

C1B_week:	 ___ weeks [RANGE: 0-52, 96, 97] 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 44 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C1C.	 Has [S.C.] ever lived with his/her birth family? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C2_N. Just before being placed with you, where did [S.C.] live? 

[TI INSTRUCTION: SELECT ONLY ONE.] 

(1) A FOSTER FAMILY	 <GO TO C4_N> 

(2) ANOTHER ADOPTIVE FAMILY <GO TO C4_N> 

(3) BIRTH PARENTS	 <GO TO C4_N> 

(4) WITH MEMBERS OF HIS/HER BIRTH FAMILY 

OTHER THAN PARENTS <GO TO C4_N> 

(5) A GROUP HOME IN THE U.S. FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, 

THAT IS, A HOME WITH 4 FOSTER CHILDREN OR MORE 

<GO TO C4_N> 

(6) A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY IN THE U.S., 

THAT IS, A FACILITY WHERE LARGE NUMBERS OF 

CHILDREN AND YOUTH LIVE <GO TO C4_N> 

(7) AN INSTITUTION OR ORPHANAGE <GO TO C4_N> 

(8) A HOSPITAL OR HEALTH CLINIC <GO TO C4_N> 

(9) SOMEPLACE ELSE NOT MENTIONED <GO TO C2A> 

(96) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO C4_N> 

(97) REFUSED	 <GO TO C4_N> 

<HELP SCREEN: A HOSPITAL OR HEALTH CLINIC WOULD BE AN EXTENDED 

HOSPITAL OR CLINIC STAY, NOT JUST THE COUPLE DAYS STAY WHILE 

MOTHER GAVE BIRTH.> 

C2A. (specify) _________________________________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C4_N. To your knowledge, does [S.C.] have birth siblings, that is, brothers or sisters of [S.C.], 

including half siblings? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C8_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C8_N> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C8_N> 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 45 

C5_N. Have any of [S.C.]’s birth siblings including half siblings ever been available for adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C8_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C8_N> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C8_N> 

C6_N. Were you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/parent] interested in adopting any of [S.C.]’s birth 

siblings? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C8_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C8_N> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C8_N> 

C7_N. Have you adopted any of [S.C.]’s birth siblings? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO 

(3) NOT YET, BUT PLANNING TO OR IN THE PROCESS OF 

ADOPTING 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

C8_N. Do you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] have biological children? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C9_N > 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C9_N > 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C9_N > 

C8A. How many? __________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C8B. TEXTFILL: IF C8A=1: Was this child/IF C8A>1: Were any of these children) born before 

S.C.’s adoption? 

1 YES <IF C8A=1, GO TO C9_N; ELSE GO TO C8C> 

(0) NO <GO TO C9_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C9_N> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C9_N> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 46 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C8C. How many? __________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

C9_N.	 Do you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] have adopted children other than [S.C.] 

[TEXTFILL IF C7_N=1: and [S.C.]’s birth siblings]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C12_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C12_INTRO > 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C12_INTRO > 

C9A. How many? __________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

C9B.	 [TEXTFILL: IF C9A=1: Was this child / IF C9A>1: Were any of these children] adopted 

before [S.C.]? 

(1) YES	 <IF C9A=1, GO TO C10_N; ELSE GO TO C9C> 

(2) NO	 <GO TO C9D> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C9D> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C9D> 

C9C. How many? ________ 

<IF C9A=C9C, GO TO C10_N; If C9A ne C9C, go to C9D> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C10_N> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO C10_N> 

C9D. [TEXTFILL: IF C9A=1: Was this child / IF C9a>1: Were any of these children] adopted at 

the same time as S.C.? 

(1) YES <IF C9A=1 or C9A – C9C =1, GO TO C10_N; ELSE GO TO C9E> 

(0) NO <GO TO C10_N > 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C10_N > 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C10_N > 

C9E. How many? __________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 47 

C10_N. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] adopt the other child or children through the 

United State foster care system, through a private adoption in the United States, or through an 

international adoption? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) UNITED STATES FOSTER CARE SYSTEM 

(2) PRIVATE ADOPTION IN THE U.S. 

(3) INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC11: IF K11Q38 = 1 (INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION) AND C10_N = 3 

(INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION): GO TO C11_N; ELSE GO TO C12_INTRO> 

C11_N. Were the other children adopted from the same country as S.C.? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C12_INTRO. There are many reasons why people decide to adopt a child. I am going to read a list of 

possible reasons why people sometimes choose to adopt. For each reason, please tell me 

whether or not this was one of the reasons why you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] 

chose adoption. 

C12A. [TEXTFILL: My spouse/partner and I were/ I was] unable to have a biological child. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of the reasons that you 

[TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] had for adopting [S.C.]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C12B. [TEXTFILL: My spouse/partner and I / I] wanted to expand [TEXTFILL: S3_N=1 OR 2 "our"/ 

S3_N=3,4,6,7 "my"] family. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of the reasons that you 

[TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] had for adopting [S.C.]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC12C: IF C7_N = 01 OR C8B = 01 OR C9B = 01 OR C9D = 01, THEN ASK C12C, 

OTHERWISE GO TO CPC12E> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 48 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C12C. [TEXTFILL: My spouse/partner and I / I] wanted a sibling for another child. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of the reasons that you 

[TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] had for adopting [S.C.]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC12E: IF C7_N = 01 THEN ASK C12E, OTHERWISE GO TO C12F> 

C12E. [TEXTFILL: I/we] already adopted S.C.’s sibling. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of the reasons that you 

[TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] had for adopting [S.C.]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C12F. [TEXTFILL: My spouse/partner and I / I] wanted to adopt a child in need of a permanent family 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of the reasons that you 

[TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] had for adopting [S.C.]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C12G. Was there another reason that I did not mention? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C13_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C13_N> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C13_N> 

C12GA.What was the other reason? (specify) ________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

C13_N. Do any of your [TEXTFILL: or your spouse’s/partner’s] relatives have adopted children? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C14> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C14> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 49 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C14> 

C13A.	 Did any of your [TEXTFILL: or your spouse’s/partner’s] relatives adopt in the same manner 

as you did – that is, were any of these children adopted through [TEXTFILL: IF K11Q40=1 a 

foster care/ ELSE IF K11Q38=1 an international/ IF K11Q40=2, 6, 7 a private] adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C14. Do any of your [TEXTFILL: or your spouse’s/partner’s] friends or close acquaintances have 

adopted children? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C15_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C15_N> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C15_N> 

C14A.	 Did any of your [TEXTFILL: or your spouse’s/partner’s] friends or acquaintances adopt in 

the same manner as you did – that is, were any of these children adopted through a/an 

[TEXTFILL: foster care/international/private] adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C15_N. Were you adopted as a child? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <IF S3_N=1 OR 2: GO TO C15b; ELSE GO TO C16_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <IF S3_N=1 OR 2: GO TO C15b; ELSE GO TO C16_N > 

(7) REFUSED <IF S3_N=1 OR 2: GO TO C15b; ELSE GO TO C16_N > 

C15A. How old were you when you were adopted? 

C15A_year:	 ___years and 

C15A_month:	 ___ months 

[IF LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD, ENTER “0” FOR YEARS] 

OR 

C15A_week:	 ___ weeks 

<IF S3_N=1 OR 2: GO TO C15B; ELSE GO TO C16_N> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 50 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(6)	 DON’T KNOW <IF S3_N=1 OR 2: GO TO C15B; ELSE GO TO C1 

C16_N> 

(7)	 REFUSED <IF S3_N=1 OR 2: GO TO C15B; ELSE GO TO 

C16_N> 

C15B. Was your spouse/partner adopted as a child? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C16_N> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO C16_N> 

(7) REFUSED	 <GO TO C16_N> 

C15C. How old was your spouse/partner when he/she was adopted? 

C15C_year: ___years and 

C15C_month: ___ months 

[IF LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD, ENTER “0” FOR YEARS] 

OR 

C15C_week: ___ weeks 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C16_N. Do you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] have siblings who were adopted? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C17_N. Compared to yourself, is [S.C.] a different race or ethnicity or from a different culture? 

(1) YES <IF S3_N=2 OR 1, GO TO C17A; ELSE GO TO C18A> 

(0) NO <IF S3_N=2 OR 1, GO TO C17A; ELSE GO TO C21A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF S3_N=2 OR 1, GO TO C17A; ELSE GO TO C21A> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF S3_N=2 OR 1, GO TO C17A; ELSE GO TO C21A> 

C17A. Is [S.C.] a different race or ethnicity or from a different culture than your spouse/partner? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <IF C17_N=1, GO TO C18A; ELSE GO TO C21A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF C17_N=1, GO TO C18A; ELSE GO TO C21A> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF C17_N=1, GO TO C18A-; ELSE GO TO C21A> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 51 

C18A. Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the following: 

Lived in or moved to a racially or culturally diverse neighborhood 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18B.	 Lived or moved where [S.C.] can attend schools that are racially or culturally diverse? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18C. Were involved in religious, social, tribal or recreational groups or activities that reflect 

[TEXTFILL: his/her] race or ethnicity or culture 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18D. Chosen multiracial or multicultural entertainment such as movies or plays that reflect 

[TEXTFILL: his/her] race or ethnicity or culture 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18E. Chosen child care providers, teachers or other role models similar to [TEXTFILL: his/her] 

race or ethnicity 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 52 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18F. Participated in racial/ethnic holidays that reflect [TEXTFILL: his/her] 

race or ethnicity or culture 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18G. Have friends who share [TEXTFILL: his/her] racial or ethnic or cultural background 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18H.	 Prepared foods associated with [TEXTFILL: his/her] racial or ethnic or cultural background 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C18I. Read books to your child about [TEXTFILL: his/her] racial or ethnic or cultural group or 

heritage 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Since the time of the adoption, has your family done any of the 

following> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 53 

C19_N. Would you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] encourage others to adopt transracially or 

transculturally? 

(1) YES <GO TO C21A> 

(0) NO <GO TO C20> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C20> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C21A> 

C20. Why not? _________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

C21A. At the time you began thinking about adopting a child which of the following types of 

adoption did you consider: 

[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: EMPHASIS ON ‘CONSIDER’ SINCE THEY’LL 

ALREADY HAVE TOLD US THIS CHILD’S ADOPTION TYPE.] 

adoption from U.S. foster care 

(1) YES 

(2) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C21B.	 international adoption 

<READ IF NECESSARY: At the time you began thinking about adopting a child which of 

the following types of adoption did you consider > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C21C.	 private U.S. adoption 

<READ IF NECESSARY: At the time you began thinking about adopting a child which of 

the following types of adoption did you consider > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC22: 

IF K11Q40=2, 6 OR 7 AND S6 DOES NOT = 1 AND S7 DOES NOT = 1, GO TO C22; 

IF K11Q38=1 AND S6 DOES NOT = 1 AND S7 DOES NOT = 1, GO TO C23A_N; 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 54 □ Series 1, No. 50 

IF K11Q40=1 AND S6 DOES NOT = 1 AND S7 DOES NOT = 1, GO TO C24A; 

ELSE (I.E. RELATIVE ADOPTIONS) GO TO C36_INTRO> 

C22A. Earlier you indicated that you adopted SC through a domestic private adoption. I am going to 

read a list of reasons to you for choosing this type of adoption. For each reason that I read to 

you please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption. 

Thought [TEXTFILL: I/We] would get a child sooner 

(READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic adoption) 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22B> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22B> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22B> 

C22AA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22B. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption) 

Didn’t think [TEXTFILL: I/We] would qualify to adopt a child internationally. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22C> 

C22BA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22C. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 55 

Adoption workers or lawyer discouraged [TEXTFILL: me/us] from trying to adopt a child 

from the foster care system. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22D> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22D> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22D> 

C22CA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22D. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption) 

Wanted an infant. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22E> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22E> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22E> 

C22DA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22E. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption) 

Wanted a healthy child 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22F> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22F> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22F> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 56 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C22EA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22F. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption) 

Wanted a child the same race/ethnicity as our family 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22G> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22G> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22G> 

C22FA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22G.	 (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption) 

Wanted a closed adoption, that is, no information exchange or contact with child’s birth 

family 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22H> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C22H> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C22H> 

C22GA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 57 

(7) REFUSED 

C22H. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption ) 

Previously adopted another child through a private, domestic adoption 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C22I> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO C22I> 

(7) REFUSED	 <GO TO C22I> 

C22HA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C22I. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a domestic private adoption ) 

Did you have another reason for choosing a private, domestic adoption that I did not 

mention? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED	 <If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

C22IA. What was this reason that I did not mention? ____________ 

C22IAA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1)	 VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

<If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

(2)	 SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT 

<If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

(3)	 NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

<If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED	 <If S6 ne 1, GO TO C25, ELSE go to C36_INTRO> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 58 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C23A_N. Earlier you indicated that you adopted SC through an international adoption. I am going to 

read a list of reasons to you for choosing this type of adoption. For each reason that I read to 

you please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption. 

Interest in a particular culture 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23B> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23B> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23B> 

C23AA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23B. Adoption workers or lawyer encouraged [TEXTFILL: IF (S3_N=3,4,6,7 "me" / IF S3_N= 1 

OR 2 "us"] to adopt internationally 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23C> 

C23BA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23C. Adoption workers or lawyer discouraged [TEXTFILL: me/us] from trying to adopt a child 

from the U.S. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 59 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23D> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23D> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23D> 

C23CA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23D. Wanted an infant 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23E> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23E> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23E> 

C23DA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23E. Wanted a closed adoption, that is, no information exchange or contact with child’s birth 

family 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23F> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23F> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23F> 

C23EA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 60 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23F. Thought it would be too difficult to adopt a child from the U.S. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23G> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23G> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23G> 

C23FA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23G. Didn’t think I would qualify to adopt a child from the U.S. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23H> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23H> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23H> 

C23GA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________ 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 61 

C23H. Thought I/we would get a child sooner 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23I> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23I> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23I> 

C23HA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23I. Not interested in the children available for adoption in the U.S. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23K> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23K> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23K> 

C23IA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23IAA. Why did you think that children available for adoption in the U.S. would not 

be the best option for you? 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 62 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C23K.	 Previously adopted another child internationally 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing an international adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C23L> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C23L> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C23L> 

C23KA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C23L.	 Did you have another reason for choosing an international adoption that I did not mention? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

C23LA. What was this reason that I did not mention? ____________ 

C23LB. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1)	 VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

<IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(2)	 SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

<IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(3)	 NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

<IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

C24A. Earlier you indicated that you adopted SC through a foster care adoption. I am going to read 

a list of reasons to you for choosing this type of adoption. For each reason that I read to you 

please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or your spouse’s/partner’s] 

reasons for choosing a foster care adoption. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 63 

Thought [TEXTFILL: I/We] would get a child sooner 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C24B> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C24B> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C24B> 

C24AA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C24B. (READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a foster care adoption ) 

Adopting from U.S. foster care was less costly than adopting internationally or privately 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C24C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C24C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C24C> 

C24BA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C24C. Wanted an older child 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a foster care adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C24D> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C24D> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C24D> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 64 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C24CA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C24D. Wanted a child with special needs 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a foster care adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C24E> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C24E> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C24E> 

C24DA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C24E. Previously adopted another child through the foster care system 

<READ IF NECESSARY: please tell me whether or not this was one of your [TEXTFILL: or 

your spouse’s/partner’s] reasons for choosing a foster care adoption> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C24F> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C24F> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C24F> 

C24EA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 65 

C24F. Did you have another reason for choosing to adopt a child from foster care that I did not 

mention? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

C24FA. What was this reason that I did not mention? ____________ 

C24FAA. Was this a very important reason, somewhat important reason, or not an 

important reason? 

(1)	 VERY IMPORTANT REASON 

<IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(2)	 SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT REASON 

<IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(3)	 NOT IMPORTANT REASON 

<IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF S6 NE 1, GO TO C25, ELSE GO TO C36_INTRO> 

C25. At the time of the adoption, did the adoption agency or attorney offer any options for an open 

adoption? 

<HELP SCREEN: By open adoption, we mean sharing written information such as letters or 

email, or in-person visits between you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] and the birth 

family or between your child and the birth family?> 

(1) YES < If K11Q38=1, GO TO C25A; ELSE GO TO C26> 

(0) NO < If K11Q38=1, GO TO C25A; ELSE GO TO C26> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 < If K11Q38=1, GO TO C25A; ELSE GO TO C26> 

(7) REFUSED	 < If K11Q38=1, GO TO C25A; ELSE GO TO C26> 

C25A. Were you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] required to provide post-adoption reports to 

the child’s country of origin? 

<HELP SCREEN: These could be reports to either the government or to any other 

organization in the country of origin.> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C26> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO C26> 

(7) REFUSED	 <GO TO C26> 
 

 

___ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 66 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C25AA. How many post-adoption reports were filed? 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C25AB. Will you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] be providing post-adoption reports in the 

future? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C26. Was there any kind of pre-adoption agreement in which you agreed to provide information 

about [S.C.] to one or both of his/her birth parents or other birth family members? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C28> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C28> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C28> 

C26A. Was this agreement written or verbal? 

(1) WRITTEN 

(2) VERBAL 

(3) BOTH 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C27. Was information ever provided to them? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C28. Since the time of [S.C.]’s adoption, have you, [TEXTFILL: SPOUSE OR PARTNER], or SC 

ever had contact with his/her birth family members? 

[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: DEFINITION OF CONTACT SHOULD BE: 

LETTERS, EMAILS, TELEPHONE CALLS OR IN-PERSON VISITS]: 

(1) YES 

(2) NO	 <GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C36_INTRO> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 67 

C28A. Since the time of SC’s adoption, how often has [S.C.] had contact with his/her 

Birthparent(s)? 

[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: DEFINITION OF CONTACT SHOULD BE: 

LETTERS, EMAILS, OR IN-PERSON VISITS]: 

(1) NEVER <GO TO CPC29> 

(2) ONCE A YEAR OR EVERY FEW YEARS 

(3) A FEW TIMES A YEAR 

(4) ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR MORE 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPC29> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPC29> 

C28B. How comfortable are you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner] with [S.C.] having contact 

with his/her birth parents? Would you say very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, 

somewhat uncomfortable, or very uncomfortable? 

[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF OPINIONS DIFFER BETWEEN RESPONDENT 

AND SPOUSE/PARTNER, ASK FOR RESPONDENT'S OPINION] 

(1) VERY COMFORTABLE 

(2) SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE 

(3) SOMEWHAT UNCOMFORTABLE 

(4) VERY UNCOMFORTABLE 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC29: IF C4_N = NO, DON’T KNOW, OR REFUSED GO TO C30/ ELSE GO TO 

C29> 

C29. Since the time of S.C.’s adoption, how often has S.C. had contact with birth brothers or 

sisters who do not live in your household 

(1) NEVER <GO TO C30> 

(2) ONCE A YEAR OR EVERY FEW YEARS 

(3) A FEW TIMES A YEAR 

(4) ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR MORE 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C30> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C30> 

C29A. How comfortable are you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner] with [S.C.] having contact 

with his/her birth brothers or sisters who do not live in your household? Would you say very 

comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable, or very uncomfortable? 

[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF OPINIONS DIFFER BETWEEN RESPONDENT 

AND SPOUSE/PARTNER, ASK FOR RESPONDENT'S OPINION] 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 68 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(1) VERY COMFORTABLE 

(2) SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE 

(3) SOMEWHAT UNCOMFORTABLE 

(4) VERY UNCOMFORTABLE 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C30. Since the time of S.C.’s adoption, how often has S.C. had contact with other birth relatives 

such as birth grandparents, birth aunts and uncles, etc... 

(1) NEVER <GO TO C31> 

(2) ONCE A YEAR OR EVERY FEW YEARS 

(3) A FEW TIMES A YEAR 

(4) ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR MORE 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C31> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C31> 

C30A. How comfortable are you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner] with [S.C.] having contact 

with his/her other birth relatives? Would you say very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, 

somewhat uncomfortable, or very uncomfortable? 

[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF OPINIONS DIFFER BETWEEN RESPONDENT 

AND SPOUSE/PARTNER, ASK FOR RESPONDENT'S OPINION] 

(1) VERY COMFORTABLE 

(2) SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE 

(3) SOMEWHAT UNCOMFORTABLE 

(4) VERY UNCOMFORTABLE 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C31.	 These next questions are about any contact that you [or your spouse/partner] have had with 

[S.C.]’s birth family. 

Since [S.C.]’s adoption was finalized, have you [or your spouse/partner] ever had planned 

contact with [S.C.]’s birth parents or other extended birth family? 

[INTERVIEWER DEFINITION OF CONTACT SHOULD BE: LETTERS, EMAILS, OR 

IN-PERSON VISITS] 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C36_INTRO> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C36_INTRO> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 69 

C32. Was this contact with: 

Birthparent(s)? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC33: IF C4_N = NO, DON’T KNOW, OR REFUSED THEN GO TO C34/ ELSE GO 

TO C33> 

C33.	 Brothers/sisters living elsewhere? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this contact with > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C34. Other blood relatives (grandparents, aunts/uncles)? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this contact with > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C35. Do you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] currently stay in contact with [S.C.]’s birth 

parents or other extended birth family? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C36_INTRO. These next questions are about information you may have received about [S.C.] before 

adopting [him/her]. 

C36.	 Prior to [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner]... 

<CHECKPOINT CPC36A: IF ADOPT_TYPE NOT= FOSTER CARE GO TO C36B/ ELSE GO TO 

C36A> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 70 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C36A.	 Receive or review the child’s case record 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C36B. Prior to [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] Discuss the child’s 

past with an adoption caseworker 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C36C. Discuss the child’s past with an adoption attorney 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Prior to [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse/partner]> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC36D: IF C1A_M<3 YEARS GO TO C36E 

/ ELSE IF (C1A_M= 6 OR 7) AND (SC_NSCH < 3), GO TO CPC36F 

/ ELSE, GO TO C36D> 

C36D. Receive or review a written psychological report 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Prior to [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse/partner]> 

(1) YES <GO TO C36DA> 

(0) NO <GO TO C36E> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C36E> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C36E> 

C36DA. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] consult with a professional of your 

choosing regarding the contents of the psychological report? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 71 

C36E. Receive or review information about S.C.’s medical history 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Prior to [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse/partner]> 

(1) YES <GO TO C36EA> 

(0) NO <GO TO CPC36F> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPC36F> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPC36F> 

C36EA. Did you [or your spouse/partner] consult with a professional of your choosing regarding 

S.C.’s medical history? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC36F: IF C1A_M<5 YEARS, OR IF (C1A_M= 6 or 7) AND (SC_NSCH <5) , GO TO 

C38 / ELSE GO TO C36F> 

C36F. Receive or review records of [S.C.]’s school or educational history, such as grades or test 

scores 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Prior to [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your 

spouse/partner]> 

(1) YES <GO TO C36FA> 

(0) NO <GO TO C38> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO C38> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO C38> 

C36FA.	 Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] consult with a professional of your 

choosing regarding [S.C.]’s school or educational records? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C38. Do you believe that the agency knew important information about S.C. that they did not share 

with you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] before S.C.’s adoption was finalized? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 72 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C3. These next questions are about problems your child may have experienced before being 

adopted by you. You may not know the answers, but please answer to the best of your 

knowledge. We ask these questions to all parents. 

Before [S.C.] first came to your home, how likely was it that he/she was... 

 Was it very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely? 

 CHILD 

 Very Very ADOPTED DON’T 

 likely Likely Unlikely unlikely AT BIRTH REFUSED KNOW 

a. Physically abused? 1 2 3 4 0 6 7 

b. Sexually abused? 1 2 3 4 0 6 7 

c. Neglected? 1 2 3 4 0 6 7 

d. Exposed to drugs or alcohol 

 before birth? 1 2 3 4 0 6 7 

e. Emotionally abused? 1 2 3 4 0 6 7 

<CATI INSTRUCTIONS: FOR EACH SCREEN C3A-C3E, READ IF NECESSARY: 

Before [S.C.] first came to your home, how likely was it that he/she was > 

<HELP SCREEN: These questions may not apply to your child, but it is important that we 

ask these questions of everyone. > 

C42_INTRO. The next few questions concern the child’s mental health and while these questions may 

sound similar to previously asked questions, they ask about different conditions. 

C44. I am going to read you a list of conditions. For each condition, please tell me if a doctor or 

other health care provider ever told you that [S.C.] had the condition, even if (he/she) does 

not have the condition now 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? 

INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF THE RESPONDENT HAS NEVER HEARD OF THE 

MEDICAL CONDITION OR DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE CONDITION IS, THEN A 

DOCTOR OR OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PROBABLY HAS NOT TOLD THE 

RESPONDENT THAT THE CHILD HAS THE CONDITION. 

IF A DOCTOR OR OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER HAS NOT TOLD THE 

RESPONDENT THAT THE CHILD HAS THE CONDITION, BUT THE RESPONDENT 

INSISTS THAT THE CHILD HAS THE CONDITION, WE STILL NEED TO CODE THE 

ANSWER AS “NO.” 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 73 

C45. Attachment disorder 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Has a doctor or other health care provider ever told you that 

[S.C.] had the condition > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC46: IF K2Q34A=NO THEN SKIP TO CHECKPOINT CPC42; ELSE SKIP TO C46; 

IF AGE_NSCH, 24 MONTHS SKIP TO CPC42> 

C46. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Has a doctor or other health care provider ever told you that 

[S.C.] had the condition > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C47. Conduct disorder 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Has a doctor or other health care provider ever told you that 

[S.C.] had the condition > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC42: IF [S.C.] < 36 MONTHS, SKIP TO CPC53> 

C42. Mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and 

clinical social workers. Since the time the adoption was finalized, has [S.C.] received any 

treatment or counseling from a mental health professional? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPC49> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPC49> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPC49> 

<CHECKPOINT CPC43: IF [S.C.] < 96 MONTHS, SKIP TO CPC53> 
Page 74 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C43. Since the time the adoption was finalized, has [S.C.] been placed in a psychiatric hospital, 

group home, or residential treatment center? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC49: IF AGE_NSCH_Y <13 YEARS OF AGE, GO TO C53_INTRO/ ELSE GO TO 

C49> 

C49.	 Has [S.C.] ever had any alcohol or drug problems? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C50. Has [S.C.] ever been arrested or in trouble with the police? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C51. Has [S.C.] ever (TEXTFILL: been pregnant /gotten someone pregnant)? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPC53 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPC53 > 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPC53 > 

C52. Does [S.C.] have biological children of his/her own? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC53: IF [S.C.] < 12 MONTHS, GO TO W1_INTRO/ ELSE GO TO C53_INTRO> 

C53_INTRO.	 The next (TEXT FILL: IF SC< 5 Years "question concerns" / ELSE "few questions concern") 

S.C.’s native language and education experiences. 

C53. What was the first language [S.C.] learned to speak? 

Drop down list of languages 

(1) ENGLISH < GO TO CPC55> 
 

(2) CHINESE < GO TO CPC55> 

(3) RUSSIAN < GO TO CPC55> 

(4) SPANISH < GO TO CPC55> 

(5) KOREAN < GO TO CPC55> 

(6) UKRAINIAN < GO TO CPC55> 

(7) OTHER < GO TO C53A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW < GO TO CPC55> 

(7) REFUSED < GO TO CPC55> 

C53A. SPECIFY ______________________ 

<CHECKPOINT CPC55: IF AGE_NSCH_Y IS <5 YEARS OF AGE, GO TO W1_INTRO; IF K7Q11=1 

THEN GO TO CHECKPOINT CPC56/ ELSE GO TO C55> 

C55.	 Does [S.C.] have any developmental problems for which (he/she) has a written intervention 

plan called an [TEXTFILL:IF AGE_NSCH < 36 MONTHS, INSERT: Individualized Family 

Services Plan or an IFSP?; IF AGE_NSCH ≥ 36 MONTHS, INSERT: Individualized 

Education Program or IEP?] 

HELP SCREEN (C55): Some young children have developmental delays or other problems 

for which they receive services from a program called Early Intervention Services or Special 

Education. Children receiving these services have a written intervention plan called an IFSP 

if the child is 3 or under, or an IEP if older than about 3 years. Services on an IFSP or an IEP 

might include things such as special instruction; speech language therapy; vision and hearing 

services; psychological services; health services; social work services; family counseling and 

support; transportation; service coordination or other services needed to support the child’s 

development. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC56: IF K7Q01F = 2, 6, OR 7, OR K7Q02 = 555, 666, OR K7Q01 = 3 [I.E., NOT 

ENROLLED IN PAST 12 MONTHS/HOME-SCHOOLED], GO TO W1_INTRO / ELSE GO TO C56.> 

C56. *NSAP	 How would you describe S.C.’s school performance in reading and language arts. 

(1) EXCELLENT 

(2) VERY GOOD 

(3) GOOD 

(4) FAIR 

(5) POOR 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 75 
 

 

Page 76 □ Series 1, No. 50 

C56A. *NSAP	  How would you describe S.C.’s school performance in math. 

(1) EXCELLENT 

(2) VERY GOOD 

(3) GOOD 

(4) FAIR 

(5) POOR 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPC57: ASK C57 AND C58 ONLY IF SC_NSCH = OR > 10 YEARS ; ELSE GO TO 

W1_INTRO> 

C57. [TEXTFILL: IF (AGE GRID - C1A_M) = 2 or more "During the past 12 months" / ELSE IF 

(AGE GRID - C1A_M) = 1 or 0 "Since [S.C.]’s adoption was finalized" / ELSE IF 

C1A_M=6 or 7 “During the past 12 months.” ], how many times has [S.C.] skipped school, 

cut classes without your permission, or refused to go to school? Was it ... 

(1) NEVER 

(2) ONCE 

(3) TWO OR MORE TIMES 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

C58.	 Including both in-school and out-of-school suspensions, [TEXTFILL: IF (AGE GRID -

C1A_M) = 2 or more "During the past 12 months" / ELSE IF (AGE GRID - C1A_M) = 1 or 

0 "Since [S.C.]’s adoption was finalized" / ELSE IF C1A_M=6 or 7 “During the past 12 

months.”], has [S.C.] been suspended or expelled from school? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

PARENT AND CHILD WELL-BEING 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_WB1 

W1_INTRO. The next series of questions are about how you, your child, and your family are doing. By 

family, we mean the people in your family who live in your household. 

W1. *NSAP How would you describe your relationship to [S.C.]? Would you say very warm and close, 

somewhat warm and close, somewhat distant, or very distant? 

<HELP SCREEN: Please describe your relationship as it exists now> 

(1) VERY WARM AND CLOSE 

(2) SOMEWHAT WARM AND CLOSE 

(3) SOMEWHAT DISTANT 

(4) VERY DISTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW1A: IF(S3_N IS NOT 1 OR 2), SKIP W1A AND GO TO CPW2> 

W1A. How would you describe your [TEXTFILL: spouse’s/partner’s] relationship to [S.C.]? 

Would you say very warm and close, somewhat warm and close, somewhat distant, or very 

distant? 

HELP SCREEN: Please describe their relationship as it exists now 

(1) VERY WARM AND CLOSE 

(2) SOMEWHAT WARM AND CLOSE 

(3) SOMEWHAT DISTANT 

(4) VERY DISTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW2: IF SC_NSCH <6 MONTHS OLD, GO TO W7; ELSE GO TO W2> 

W2. *NSAP	 How often is [S.C.] affectionate or tender with you? Would you say never, rarely, sometimes, 

usually or always? 

(1) NEVER 

(2) RARELY 

(3) SOMETIMES 

(4) USUALLY 

(5) ALWAYS 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 77 
Page 78 □ Series 1, No. 50 

W3. How satisfied are you with how affectionate or tender [S.C.] is with you? Would you say 

very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? 

(1) VERY SATISFIED 

(2) SOMEWHAT SATISFIED 

(3) SOMEWHAT DISSATISFIED 

(4) VERY DISSATISFIED 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW4: IF SC_NSCH<13 YEARS OLD, GO TO CPW5/ ELSE GO TO W4> 

W4. *NSAP	 Do you feel that [S.C.] and you make decisions about (his/her) life together. Would you say 

never, rarely, sometimes, usually or always? 

(1) NEVER 

(2) RARELY 

(3) SOMETIMES 

(4) USUALLY 

(5) ALWAYS 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW5: IF SC_NSCH <5 YEAR OLDS, GO TO W7/ ELSE GO TO W5> 

W5. *NSAP During the past month, how often have you felt that you just did not understand (him/her). 

Would you say never, rarely, sometimes, usually or always? 

(1) NEVER 

(2) RARELY 

(3) SOMETIMES 

(4) USUALLY 

(5) ALWAYS 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W6. *NSAP	 During the past month, how often have you felt that you can really trust (him/her). Would 

you say never, rarely, sometimes, usually or always? 

(1) NEVER 

(2) RARELY 

(3) SOMETIMES 

(4) USUALLY 

(5) ALWAYS 

(6) DON’T KNOW 
 

(7) REFUSED 

W7. Thinking about [S.C.]’s relationship with you, would you say things are better than you ever 

expected, about what you expected, or more difficult than you ever expected? 

(1) BETTER THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED 

(2) ABOUT WHAT YOU EXPECTED 

(3) MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW8: IF (S3_N=1 OR 2) GO TO W8/ ELSE GO TO CPW9> 

W8. Thinking about [S.C.]’s relationship with your [TEXTFILL: spouse/partner], would you say 

things are better than you ever expected, about what you expected, or more difficult than you 

ever expected? 

(1) BETTER THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED 

(2) ABOUT WHAT YOU EXPECTED 

(3) MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

 

<CHECKPOINT CPW9: IF (S_UNDER18=1) OR SC_NSCH <1 YEAR GO TO W12 / ELSE GO TO 

W9_INTRO> 

W9_INTRO. Now I would like to ask you to think about how [S.C.] gets along with other children in your 

family. 

W9. In general, how often does S.C. experience difficulty in getting along with other children in 

the household? Would you say never, rarely, sometimes, usually or always? 

(1) NEVER 

(2) RARELY 

(3) SOMETIMES 

(4) USUALLY 

(5) ALWAYS 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

[TI INSTRUCTION: BY “CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD” WE MEAN THOSE 

CHILDREN WHO LIVE PERMANENTLY IN THIS HOUSEHOLD. DO NOT INCLUDE 

CHILDREN STAYING WITH THE RESPONDENT TEMPORARILY.] 

W12. Overall, how has having [S.C.] in your life affected your family? By family, we mean your 

family who live in your household. Would you say it has affected your family very positively, 

somewhat positively, somewhat negatively, very negatively, or mixed? 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 79 
 

(1) VERY POSITIVELY 

(2) SOMEWHAT POSITIVELY 

(3) MIXED 

(4) SOMEWHAT NEGATIVELY 

(5) VERY NEGATIVELY 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W13.	 So far, how has having [S.C.] in your life compared with what you thought it would be like? 

Would you say it is better than you expected, about what you expected, or more difficult than 

you expected? 

(1) BETTER THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED 

(2) ABOUT WHAT YOU EXPECTED 

(3) MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW14: IF SC_NSCH<5 YEARS GO TO W15/ ELSE GO TO W14> 

W14. Overall, how do you think [S.C.] feels about being adopted? Would you say (S.C)... feels 

positive about it, feels mostly positive about it, feels mostly negative about it, or feels 

negative about it? 

(1) FEELS POSITIVE ABOUT IT 

(2) FEELS MOSTLY POSITIVE ABOUT IT 

(3) FEELS NEITHER POSITIVE NOR NEGATIVE ABOUT IT 

(4) FEELS MOSTLY NEGATIVE ABOUT IT 

(5) FEELS NEGATIVE ABOUT IT 

(6) CHILD DOES NOT KNOW HE/SHE IS ADOPTED 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

W15. If you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner] knew everything about [S.C.] before the 

adoption that you now know, how might that have affected your decision to accept him/her 

for adoption? Would you have.... 

Definitely accepted the child, probably accepted the child, probably not accepted the child, or 

definitely not accepted the child. 

(1) WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY ACCEPTED THE CHILD 

(2) WOULD HAVE PROBABLY ACCEPTED THE CHILD 

(3) WOULD HAVE PROBABLY NOT ACCEPTED THE CHILD 

(4) WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY NOT ACCEPTED THE CHILD 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

Page 80 □ Series 1, No. 50 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 81 

W16. Given your [TEXTFILL: and your spouse’s/partner’s] experience of adoption with this child, 

would you recommend adoption to others? 

(1)	 YES 

(2)	 NO 

(3)	 DEPENDS 

(6)	 DON’T KNOW 

(7)	 REFUSED 

W17. Since the adoption was finalized, has [S.C.] ever lived outside of your home for two weeks 

or longer? 

INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: DO NOT INCLUDE EXTENDED VACATIONS 

(1)	 YES 

(0)	 NO <GO TO CPW18> 

(6)	 DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPW18> 

(7)	 REFUSED <GO TO CPW18> 

W17A. How many times? 

____ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W17B. Was [S.C.]’s time away from home related to problems or conflicts among family members? 

(1)	 YES 

(2)	 NO <GO TO CPW18> 

(6)	 DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPW18> 

(7)	 REFUSED <GO TO CPW18> 

W17C.	 As a result of S.C.’s time away from your home did the situation... improve, stay about the 

same, or get worse? 

(1)	 IMPROVE 

(2)	 STAY ABOUT THE SAME 

(3)	 GET WORSE 

(4)	 NOT APPLICABLE/STAY AWAY FROM HOME NOT RELATED TO 

PROBLEMS 

(6)	 DON’T KNOW 

(7)	 REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPW18: IF (W12 = 4 OR 5) OR (W15 = 3 OR 4) GO TO W18 / ELSE GO TO CPF1> 
Page 82 □ Series 1, No. 50 

W18. Have you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever thought about ending this adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPF1> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPF1> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPF1> 

W19. Have you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever taken any action to end this adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO < GO TO W23> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPF1> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPF1> 

W20A. What actions have you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] taken? 

(1) SPOKE TO CASEWORKER ABOUT IT 

 <IF “OTHER” also selected, 

 GO TO W20AA; ELSE GO TO W20B> 

(2) SPOKE WITH ATTORNEY ABOUT IT 

 <IF “OTHER” also selected, 

 GO TO W20AA; ELSE GO TO W20B> 

(3) OTHER <GO TO W20AA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <IF “OTHER” also selected, GO TO W20AA; ELSE GO 

 TO W20B> 

(7) REFUSED <IF “OTHER” also selected, GO TO W20AA; ELSE GO 

 TO W20B> 

W20AA. Specify:________________ 

W20B. How old was [S.C.] when this action took place? 

___years <GO TO W21A_INTRO> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

IF LESS THAN ONE YEAR, ENTER 0 FOR YEARS AND GO TO W20BA 

W20BA. ___ months 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W21A_INTRO. I am going to read a list of reasons some parents may take this action. Please tell me if each 

was a very important, somewhat important, or not important reason for you. 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 83 

W21A. Child behavioral or education problems. Would you say very important, somewhat important, 

or not important? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this a very important, somewhat important, or not important 

reason for taking action to end the adoption?> 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W21B. Child did not get along with siblings 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this a very important, somewhat important, or not important 

reason for taking action to end the adoption?> 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W21E. Child’s medical problems 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this a very important, somewhat important, or not important 

reason for taking action to end the adoption?> 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W21D. Financial reasons 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this a very important, somewhat important, or not important 

reason for taking action to end the adoption?> 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT 

(7) REFUSED 

W21C. Other family problems not associated with child 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Was this a very important, somewhat important, or not important 

reason for taking action to end the adoption?> 
Page 84 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(1) VERY IMPORTANT 

(2) SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT 

(3) NOT IMPORTANT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W21F. Were there any other important reasons? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO W22> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO W22> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO W22> 

W21FA. What were those reasons? ________________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

W22. Are you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] currently trying to end the adoption? 

(1) YES <GO TO CPF1> 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPF1> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPF1> 

W23. I am going to read a list of reasons why you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] may have 

changed your mind about ending it. Please tell me if each was a reason you are no longer 

trying to end the adoption. 

W23A. You resolved the problem(s) within family 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W23B.	 You discussed the situation with other relatives, neighbors, clergy. 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 85 

(7) REFUSED 

W23C.	 You discussed the situation with an adoption worker 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W23D. You discussed the situation with another adoptive family 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W23E. You received additional supportive services such as respite care, intensive family 

preservation, or day care 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W23F. You engaged in family or individual therapy 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

W23G. You placed the child in a residential program 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Please tell me if this was a reason you are no longer trying to end 

the adoption > 
Page 86 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

 

W23H. Any other reasons? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPF1> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPF1> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPF1> 

W23HA. What were those reasons? Specify:________________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 87 

ADOPTION AGREEMENT AND POST ADOPTION SERVICES – FINANCIAL 

<CHECKPOINT CPF1: IF K11Q38=1 OR K11Q40=2, 6, OR 7, GO TO F11> 

F1. These next few questions are about financial services you may have received related to the 

adoption of [S.C.]. 

At the time of [S.C.]’s adoption, was an adoption agreement finalized between your family 

and the adoption agency? By adoption agreement we mean an agreement made before the 

finalization of the adoption that may include monthly maintenance payments from the 

agency, medical coverage, and other services such as therapy. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F2. Do you currently receive a monthly subsidy payment to help you meet the needs of [S.C.]? 

(1) YES <GO TO F3> 

(0) NO <GO TO F2A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO F2A> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO F2A> 

F2A. Have you ever received an adoption subsidy (payment every month) for [S.C.]? 

<HELP SCREEN: An adoption subsidy is a monthly payment> 

(1) YES <GO TO F3> 

(0) NO <GO TO F10> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO F10> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO F10> 

CPF3	 IF F1=2 GO TO F4 / ELSE GO TO F3 

F3. (IF F2=1: Is/ IF F2A=1: Was) this monthly subsidy payment written into your adoption 

agreement? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F4. What [TEXTFILL: IF F2=1: is; IF F2a=1: was] the amount per month of the adoption 

subsidy you [TEXTFILL: IF F2=1: currently receive; IF F2a=1: received] for this child? 

$____/month <IF S8=1 OR S9=1 GO TO F4a; ELSE GO TO F5> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <IF S8=1 OR S9=1 GO TO F4a; ELSE GO TO F5> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 88 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(7) REFUSED <IF S8=1 OR S9=1 GO TO F4a; ELSE GO TO F5> 

READ IF NECESSARY: We collect this information so we can compare support levels for 

different states, racial/ethnic groups, or people with different income levels. 

F4A. [TEXTFILL: IF F2=YES: Is; IF F2a=YES: Was] this monthly amount higher, lower, or the 

same as the amount you received when you were S.C.’s foster parent? 

(1) HIGHER 

(2) LOWER 

(3) SAME AS 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F5. Did you request the subsidy or was this subsidy given to you without requesting it? 

(1) I/WE REQUESTED THIS SUBSIDY 

(2) SUBSIDY GIVEN TO ME/US WITHOUT REQUESTING IT 

<IF F2=1, GO TO F7; ELSE GO TO F8> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F6A. Did you request a subsidy because . . . 

[S.C.] needed additional services you could not afford? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F6B. The child welfare worker or adoption worker suggested that you request one? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Did you request a subsidy because > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F6C. Your attorney suggested you request one? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: Did you request a subsidy because > 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 89 

F6D. Was there any other reason why a subsidy was requested? 

(1) YES <GO TO F6DA> 

(0) NO <IF F2=Yes, GO TO F7; ELSE GO TO F8> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <IF F2=Yes, GO TO F7; ELSE GO TO F8> 

(7) REFUSED	 <IF F2=Yes, GO TO F7; ELSE GO TO F8> 

F6DA. Specify:________________ <IF F2=1, GO TO F7; ELSE GO TO F8> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F7. Do you feel that the subsidy received for [S.C.] helps to adequately meet [S.C.]’s needs? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F8. Without a subsidy would you say the likelihood of you having adopted [S.C.] would have 

been ...very likely, likely, unlikely, or very unlikely? 

(1)	 VERY LIKELY <IF F1=1, AND F2=2, GO TO F9; ELSE GO TO 

F11> 

(2)	 LIKELY <IF F1=1, AND F2=2, GO TO F9; ELSE GO TO 

F11> 

(3)	 UNLIKELY <IF F1=1, AND F2=2, GO TO F9; ELSE GO TO 

F11> 

(4)	 VERY UNLIKELY <IF F1=1, AND F2=2, GO TO F9; ELSE GO TO 

F11> 

(6)	 DON’T KNOW <IF F1=1, AND F2=2, GO TO F9; ELSE GO TO 

F11> 

(7)	 REFUSED <IF F1=1, AND F2=2, GO TO F9; ELSE GO TO 

F11> 

F9. Why don’t you currently receive an adoption subsidy for [S.C.]? Is it because you no longer 

need the subsidy, no longer qualify for the subsidy, or some other reason? 

(1) NO LONGER NEEDED SUBSIDY <GO TO F11> 

(2) NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDY <GO TO F11> 

(3) SOME OTHER REASON	 <GO TO F9A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO F11> 

(7) REFUSED	 <GO TO F11> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 90 □ Series 1, No. 50 

F9A. What is the reason?___________________ <GO TO F11> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

F10. Why don’t you receive an adoption subsidy for [S.C.]? Is it because you 

<INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF RESPONDENT SAYS “I WOULDN’T QUALIFY” 

OR “THEY WOULD HAVE TURNED US DOWN” CODE 1: DID NOT REQUEST A 

SUBSIDY> 

(1) DID NOT REQUEST A SUBSIDY 

(2) WERE TURNED DOWN 

(3) DECLINED THE OFFERED SUBSIDY 

(4) SOME OTHER REASON 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F10A. What is the reason?____________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<GO TO F11> 

<GO TO F11> 

<GO TO F11> 

<GO TO F10A> 

<GO TO F11> 

<GO TO F11> 

<GO TO F11> 

F11. These next few questions are about costs you may have incurred related to the adoption of 

[S.C.]. 

Did you pay anything at the time of the adoption, for example, did you pay for a homestudy 

or pay an attorney? 

READ IF NECESSARY: A homestudy is the process by which an adoption social worker 

determines your suitability as adoptive parents. It usually includes applications, educational 

classes, interviews, and visits to the home of the prospective parents. 

(1) YES < IF K11Q38=1 OR K11Q40=2, GO TO F11B, ELSE GO TO F11A> 

(0) NO <GO TO CPF13> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPF13> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPF13> 

F11A. Approximately how much did [S.C.]’s adoption cost? 

INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: DO NOT READ CATEGORIES 

(1) LESS THAN $5,000 <GO TO F12> 

(2) AT LEAST $5,000 BUT LESS THAN $10,000 <GO TO F12> 

(3) $10,000 OR MORE	 <GO TO F12> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO F12> 

(7) REFUSED	 <GO TO F12> 
 

F11B. Approximately how much did [S.C.]’s adoption cost (including [textfill if International: cost 

of travel to the child’s country of origin/ if private: travel], legal fees, etc.)? 

INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: DO NOT READ CATEGORIES 

(1) Less than $5,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(2) At least $5,000 but less than 10,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(3) At least $10,000 but less than $15,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(4) At least $15,000 but less than $20,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(5) At least $20,000 but less than $25,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(6) At least $25,000 but less than $30,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(7) At least $30,000 but less than $35,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(8) At least $35,000 but less than $40,000 <GO TO CPF13> 

(9) $40,000 or more	 <GO TO CPF13> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO CPF13> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO CPF13> 

F12. Did the adoption agency reimburse all, some, or none of these expenses? 

(1) ALL 

(2) SOME 

(3) NONE 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F13_INTRO. These next questions are about your experiences with Medicaid. Some of these questions 

may seem similar to other questions you have already answered, but they ask about different 

things. 

<CHECKPOINT CPF13: IF F1=1: GO TO F13 / ELSE IF F1=NULL OR MISSING, 2, 6, OR 7: GO TO 

F14A> 

F13.	 Was [S.C.]’s Medicaid or state-subsidized health insurance included in the adoption 

agreement? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F14A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F13A.	 Is any additional medical coverage included in the adoption agreement? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 91 
Page 92 □ Series 1, No. 50 

F14A. Have you ever used Medicaid to obtain mental health services for [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F14B> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO F14B> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO F14B> 

F14AA. How easy or difficult was it to use Medicaid to pay for these mental health services for 

[S.C.]? Would you say it was very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very 

difficult? 

(1) VERY EASY 

(2) SOMEWHAT EASY 

(3) SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT 

(4) VERY DIFFICULT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

 

F14B. Have you ever used Medicaid to obtain dental or orthodontia care for [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F14C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO F14C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO F14C> 

F14BA. How easy or difficult was it to use Medicaid to pay for this dental or orthodontia care for 

[S.C.]? Would you say it was very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very 

difficult? 

(1) VERY EASY 

(2) SOMEWHAT EASY 

(3) SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT 

(4) VERY DIFFICULT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F14C. Have you ever used Medicaid to obtain medical care for [S.C.]? Please include health care 

related to vision and hearing. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F15> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO F15> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO F15> 

F14CA. How easy or difficult was it to use Medicaid to pay for these medical services for [S.C.]? 

(1) VERY EASY 
 

(2) SOMEWHAT EASY 

(3) SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT 

(4) VERY DIFFICULT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF15: IF K4Q22=1, SKIP TO F16_INTRO, ELSE GO TO F15> 

F15. These next few questions are about mental health care [S.C.] may have received during the 

last 12 months. 

Mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and 

clinical social workers. During the past 12 months, has [S.C.] received any treatment or 

counseling from a mental health professional? 

(1) YES <GO TO F16> 

(0) NO <GO TO F17> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF14A_A> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF14A_A> 

F16_INTRO. Earlier you mentioned that [S.C.] has received treatment or counseling from a mental health 

professional in the past 12 months 

<HELP SCREEN: “Earlier” was during the health survey you completed recently> 

F16. What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health services in the last 12 months was paid for by each of 

the following sources: would you say none, some, almost all or all of [S.C.]’s mental health 

services were paid for by ... 

<CHECKPOINT CPF16A: IF F14A=2 GO TO F16B/ ELSE GO TO F16A > 

F16A. Medicaid? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health services in the last 12 

months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CPF14A_A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16B.	 Insurance other than Medicaid? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health services in the last 12 

months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 93 
Page 94 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CPF14A_A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF16C: IF SC IS NOT FOSTER CARE (K11Q40 NE 1) GO TO F16D/ ELSE GO TO 

F16C> 

F16C. Child Welfare or Adoption Agency? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health services in the last 12 

months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CPF14A_A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16D. You? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health services in the last 12 

months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CPF14A_A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16E Is there any other source helping pay for mental health services? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF14A_A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF14A_A> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF14A_A> 

F16EA. What is that source? __________________________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF14A_A: IF K4Q231D=1 OR K4Q23=1, GO TO F14A_A, ELSE GO TO F17 > 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 95 

F14A_A. Earlier, you mentioned that [S.C.] had taken medication during the last 12 months because of 

difficulties with (his/her) emotions, concentration, or behavior. Have you ever used Medicaid 

to obtain mental health medications for [S.C.]? 

<HELP SCREEN: “Earlier” was during the health survey you completed recently> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F16_A> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO F16_A> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO F16_A> 

F14A_AA. How easy or difficult was it to use Medicaid to pay for these mental health medications for 

[S.C.]? Would you say it was very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very 

difficult? 

(1) VERY EASY 

(2) SOMEWHAT EASY 

(3) SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT 

(4) VERY DIFFICULT 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16_A. What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health medication needs in the last 12 months was paid for 

by each of the following sources: 

<CHECKPOINT CPF16A_A: IF F14A_A=2 SKIP F16A_A AND GO TO F16A_B > 

F16A_A. Medicaid? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health medication needs in the 

last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F17 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16A_B.	 Insurance other than Medicaid? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health medication needs in the 

last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 
Page 96 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F17 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF16A_C: IF SC IS NOT FOSTER CARE (K11Q40 NE 1) SKIP F16A_C AND GO 

TO F16A_D> 

 

F16A_C. Child Welfare or Adoption Agency? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health medication needs in the 

last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F17 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16A_D. You? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s mental health medication needs in the 

last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F17 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F16A_E. Is there any other source helping pay for mental health medications? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F17 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO F17 > 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO F17 > 

F16A_EA. What is that source? __________________________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 97 

F17. These next few questions are about dental care [S.C.] may have received in the last 12 

months. 

In the last 12 months did [S.C.] receive any dental or orthodontia care? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F18> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO F18> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO F18> 

<CHECKPOINT CPF17A: IF F14B=2 GO TO F17B/ ELSE GO TO F17A > 

F17A. What portion of [S.C.]’s dental or orthodontia care in the past 12 months was paid for by each 

of the following sources: 

Medicaid? 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F18> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F17B. What portion of [S.C.]’s dental or orthodontia care in the past 12 months was paid for by each 

of the following sources: 

Insurance other than Medicaid? 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F18> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF17C: IF SC IS NOT FOSTER CARE (K11Q40 NE 1) GO TO F17D/ ELSE GO TO 

F17C> 

 

F17C. Child Welfare or Adoption Agency? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s dental or orthodontia care 

in the last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 
Page 98 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(4) ALL <GO TO F18> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F17D.	 You? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s dental or orthodontia care 

in the last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO F18> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F17E. Is there any other source helping pay for dental care? 

 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F18> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO F18> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO F18> 

F17EA. What is that source? __________________________ 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F18. In the last 12 months has [S.C.] had any medical care including vision and hearing? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPF19> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO CPF19> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO CPF19> 

<CHECKPOINT CPF18A: IF (K3Q02=2 OR 6 OR 7) OR (F14C=2) SKIP F18A AND GO TO F18B / 

ELSE GO TO F18A > 

F18A. What portion of [S.C.]’s medical care in the past 12 months was paid for by each of the 

following sources: 

Medicaid 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF19> 
 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F18B. Insurance other than Medicaid 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s medical care in the past 12 months was 

paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF19> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF18C: IF ADOPT_TYPE IS NOT =FOSTER CARE (K11Q40 NE 1) GO TO F18D/ 

ELSE GO TO F18C> 

F18C. Child Welfare or Adoption Agency 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s medical care 

in the last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF19> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F18D. You? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s medical care 

in the last 12 months was paid for by each of the following sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO CHECKPOINT CPF19> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F18E. Is there any other source helping pay for medical care? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPF19> 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 99 
Page 100 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO CPF19> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO CPF19> 

F18EA. What is that source? __________________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPF19: IF (SC_NSCH - C1A_M) < OR = (CURRENT YEAR - 1997), GO TO F19 / 

ELSE GO TO F20 / IF C1A_M = 6 OR 7 GO TO F20> 

F19. The next few questions are about other sources of financial support you may have received at 

the time of the adoption. 

At the time of S.C.’s adoption, were you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] aware of the 

federal adoption tax credit? 

INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF RESPONDENT ASKS ABOUT THE FEDERAL 

TAX CREDIT, TELL THEM THEY SHOULD CONSULT A TAX SPECIALIST FOR 

MORE INFORMATION. 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO F20> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

F19A. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] file for the adoption tax credit on your income 

tax return? 

INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF RESPONDENT SAYS "WE WILL", CODE YES 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

 

F20. At the time of S.C.’s adoption, did your [TEXTFILL: or your spouse’s/partner’s] employer 

provide financial assistance for the adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 101 

POST ADOPTION SUPPORTS – NON-FINANCIAL 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF1 

SUPPORT 1 

N1. For the next section, I’m going to ask you about different types of services that you may have 

received or wanted. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever meet with someone at 

an adoption agency or post-adoption agency to discuss post-adoption services? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N1C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N1C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N1C> 

N1A.	 Was this someone you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] had contact with prior to [S.C.]’s 

adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N1B. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, 

or not very helpful to you, your family, or [S.C.]? 

(1) Very helpful <GO TO CPN2> 

(2) Somewhat helpful <GO TO CPN2> 

(3) Not very helpful <GO TO CPN2> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN2> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN2> 

N1C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] want to meet with someone at an adoption 

agency to discuss post-adoption services and supports after the adoption was finalized? 

<HELP SCREEN: This includes any time after the adoption was finalized> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN2> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN2> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN2> 

N1D.	 Why weren’t you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] able to meet with someone to discuss 

post-adoption services and supports? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

 

(1) NO SUCH WORKER AT MY AGENCY 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES REQUESTED 

(3) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 
Page 102 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(4) SCHEDULES CONFLICTED 

(5) NO TIME 

(6) OTHER <GO TO N1DA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF “OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CHECKPOINT BEFORE N2> 

N1DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

SUPPORT 2 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF2 

<CHECKPOINT CPN2: IF SC_NSCH > OR =5 YEARS, GO TO N2; ELSE GO TO N3> 

N2. Has [S.C.] ever participated in an adoption support group for children or youth? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N2C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N2C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N2C> 

N2A. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

(1) VERY HELPFUL 

(2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

(3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

 

N2B. Did S.C. find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

(1) VERY HELPFUL 

(2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

(3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N2BA.	 How did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] or [S.C.] hear about this support group? 

[SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) CHILD’S SCHOOL 

(2) ADOPTION WORKER 

(3) ADOPTION AGENCY/CHILD WELFARE AGENCY 

(4) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 
 

(5) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(6) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(7) OTHER PARENTS 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N2BAA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<GO TO N3 IF OTHER NOT SELECTED> 

N2BAA. (specify) __________________________ <GO TO N3> 

(96) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N3> 

(97) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N3> 

N2C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever want [S.C.] to participate in an adoption 

support group? 

(1) YES <GO TO N2D> 

(2) NO <GO TO N3> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N3> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N3> 

N2D.	 Why wasn’t [S.C.] able to participate in a group? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) DID NOT KNOW WHERE ONE WAS 

(2) NONE CLOSE TO US 

(3) COST 

(4) CHILD REFUSED OR NOT INTERESTED 

(5) OTHER (specify:_________________) <GO TO N2DA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<GO TO N3 IF OTHER NOT SELECTED> 

N2DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

SUPPORT 3 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF3 

N3. Have you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever participated in an adoption support 

group? 

(1) YES <GO TO N3A> 

(2) NO <GO TO N3C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N3C> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N3C> 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 103 
Page 104 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N3A. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, 

or not very helpful? 

(1) VERY HELPFUL 

(2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

(3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N3B. How did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] hear about this support group(s)? 

[SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) ADOPTION WORKER 

(2) ADOPTION AGENCY OR CHILD WELFARE AGENCY 

(3) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(4) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(5) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(6) OTHER PARENTS 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N3BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<GO TO CPN5 IF OTHER NOT SELECTED> 

N3BA. Specify:________________ <GO TO CPN5> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN5> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CPN5> 

N3C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever want to participate in an adoption support 

group? 

(1) YES <GO TO N3D> 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN5> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN5> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN5> 

 

N3D.	 Why weren’t you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] able to participate in a group? 

[SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) COST 

(3) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ONE 

(4) NONE CLOSE TO US 

(5) OTHER <GO TO N3DA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 105 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN5> 

N3DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

 (97) REFUSED 

SUPPORT 5 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF5 

<CHECKPOINT CPN5: IF SC_NSCH > OR =5 YEARS GO TO N5; ELSE GO TO N6> 

N5. Since the time of his/her adoption, Has [S.C.] ever received mental health care or counseling? 

<HELP SCREEN: By “counseling” we mean any mental health counseling, not just 

counseling related to being adopted> 

(1) YES <IF F1=Yes, GO TO N5A; ELSE GO TO N5B> 

(0) NO <GO TO N5E> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N5E> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N5E> 

N5A. Was payment for counseling for [S.C.] written into your adoption agreement? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N5B. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful for [S.C.]? 

(1) VERY HELPFUL 

(2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

(3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N5C. Did [S.C.] find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

(1) VERY HELPFUL 

(2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

(3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
Page 106 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N5D. How did you hear about this mental health care or counseling? [SELECT ALL THAT 

APPLY] 

(1) CHILD’S SCHOOL 

(2) MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL 

(3) ADOPTION WORKER 

(4) ADOPTION AGENCY OR CHILD WELFARE AGENCY 

(5) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(6) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(7) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(8) OTHER PARENTS 

(9) OTHER <GO TO N5DA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N6> 

N5DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N6> 

(97) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N6> 

N5E. Did you ever want [S.C.] to receive mental health care or counseling? 

 

(1) YES <GO TO N5F> 

(0) NO <GO TO N6> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N6> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N6> 

N5F. Why didn’t [S.C.] receive the mental health care or counseling that he/she needed? [SELECT 

ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) COST 

(3) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ONE 

(4) NONE CLOSE TO US 

(5) OTHER <GO TO N5FA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N6> 

N5FA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 107 

SUPPORT 6 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF6 

N6. Since [S.C.]’s adoption, did your family ever participate in family counseling? 

<HELP SCREEN: By “family counseling” we mean any counseling for family problems, not 

just counseling related to being adopted> 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N6C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N6C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N6C> 

N6A. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N6B. How did you hear about this service? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) CHILD’S SCHOOL 

(2) MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL 

(3) ADOPTION WORKER 

(4) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(5) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(6) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(7) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(8) OTHER PARENTS 

(9) OTHER <GO TO N6BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED GO TO N7> 

N6BA. Specify:________________ <GO TO N7> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

N6C. Did you ever want your family to participate in family counseling since [S.C.]’s adoption? 

 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N7> 
Page 108 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N7> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N7> 

N6D.	 Why didn’t your family participate in the counseling that you wanted? [SELECT ALL THAT 

APPLY] 

 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) WERE TOLD WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(4) COST 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND SERVICES 

(6) NO SERVICES CLOSE TO US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N6DA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N7> 

 

N6DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

SUPPORT 7 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF7 

N7. After [S.C.]’s adoption, did your family ever receive crisis counseling? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N7C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N7C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N7C> 

N7A. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

 (6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N7B. How did you hear about this service? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) ADOPTION WORKER 

(2) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(3) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(4) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 
 

(5) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(6) OTHER PARENTS 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N7BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN8> 

N7BA. Specify:________________ <GO TO CPN8> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN8> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CPN8> 

N7C. Did you ever want your family to receive crisis counseling since [S.C.]’s adoption? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN8> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN8> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN8> 

N7D.	 Why didn’t your family receive the crisis counseling that you needed? [SELECT ALL THAT 

APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(4) COST 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(6) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N7DA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN8> 

N7DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPN8: IF SC_NSCH < 13 YEARS OLD GO TO N9; ELSE GO TO N8> 

SUPPORT 8 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF8 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 109 
Page 110 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N8. Since the time of his/her adoption, has [S.C.] ever received an alcohol or drug evaluation 

and/or treatment? Please do not include routine screening for purposes of employment or 

participation in school activities. 

(1) YES 

(2) NO <GO TO N8C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N8C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N8C> 

N8A. Did you find these services to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N8B. How did you hear about these services for [S.C.]? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL 

(2) ADOPTION WORKER 

(3) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(4) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(5) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(6) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(7) OTHER PARENTS 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N8BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N9> 

 

N8BA. Specify:________________ <GO TO CPN9> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN9> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CPN9> 

N8C. Did you ever want or need these services for [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN9> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN9> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN9> 

N8D. Why didn’t [S.C.] receive this service? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 
 

(4) COST 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(6) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO NDA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN9> 

N8DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

SUPPORT 9 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF9 

<CHECKPOINT CPN9: IF SC_NSCH = OR > 5 YEARS GO TO N9; ELSE GO TO N10> 

N9.	 Next, I am going to ask you some questions about educational and child care services that 

you might have received for [S.C.] following his/her adoption. Following his/her adoption, 

did [S.C.] ever have a mentor? By mentor I mean an adult paired with your child through a 

school or community organization. 

 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N9C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N9C> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N9C> 

N9A.	 Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful for [S.C.]? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N9AA.	 Did [S.C.] think this was very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 111 
 

 

Page 112 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N9B. How did you hear about this service? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) CHILD’S SCHOOL 

(2) ADOPTION WORKER 

(3) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(4) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(5) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(6) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(7) OTHER PARENTS 

(8) OTHER<GO TO N9BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN10> 

N9BA. Specify:________________ <GO TO CPN10> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN10> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CPN10> 

N9C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever want [S.C.] to have a mentor? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN10> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN10> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN10> 

N9D. Why didn’t [S.C.] receive a mentor? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(4) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(5) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(6) OTHER <GO TO N9DA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN10> 

N9DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 113 

SUPPORT 10 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF10 

<CHECKPOINT CPN10: IFSC_NSCH = OR > 5 YEARS GO TO N10; ELSE GO TO CPN11> 

N10. At any time since he/she was adopted, has [S.C.] had an academic tutor? 

 

(1) YES <IF F1=Yes, GO TO N10A; ELSE GO TO N10AA> 

(0) NO <GO TO N10C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N10C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N10C> 

N10A. Is the payment for tutoring for [S.C.] written into your adoption agreement? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N10AA. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful for [S.C.]? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N10B. Did [S.C.] think that tutoring was very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N10BB. How did you hear about this tutoring? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) CHILD’S SCHOOL 

(2) ADOPTION WORKER 

(3) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(4) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(5) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(6) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(7) OTHER PARENTS 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N10BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 
 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN11> 

 

N10BA. (Specify) _________________ <GO TO CPN11> 

(96) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO CPN11> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CPN11> 

N10C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever want tutoring for (S.C)? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN11> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO CPN11> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO CPN11> 

N10D. Why didn’t [S.C.] receive the tutoring that he/she needed? [SELECT ALL THAT 

APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) COST 

(4) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(6) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N10DA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN11> 

N10DA. (specify:________________) 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

 

<CHECKPOINT CPN11: IF FOSTER CARE GO TO N11; ELSE GO TO CPN12> 

SUPPORT 11 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF11 

N11. Following [S.C.]’s adoption, did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] receive assistance 

paying for child care for (S.C)? 

 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N11C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N11C> 

Page 114 □ Series 1, No. 50 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 115 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N11C> 

N11A. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N11B. How did you hear about this child care assistance? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) ADOPTION WORKER 

(2) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(3) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(4) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(5) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(6) OTHER PARENTS 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N11BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN12> 

 

N11BA. (Specify) _________________ <GO TO CPN12> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN12> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CHECKPOINT BEFORE N12> 

N11C. Did you ever want or need help paying for child care for [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN12> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN12> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN12> 

N11D. Why didn’t you receive the assistance that you needed? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) COST 

(4) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(6) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N11DA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN12> 
Page 116 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N11DA. (specify:________________) 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPN12: IF K11Q40=1, GO TO N12; ELSE GO TO CPN14> 

SUPPORT 12 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF12 

N12. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] receive any respite care following your 

adoption of [S.C.]? 

READ IF NECESSARY: Respite care is care for the child so the family can have a break 

from ongoing care of the child. Respite care can be thought of as child care or babysitting by 

someone trained to meet any special needs the child may have. Both professional and nonprofessional respite care should be included. 

 (1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N12C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N12C> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N12C> 

N12A. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, 

or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N12B. How did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner hear about this service? [SELECT ALL 

THAT APPLY] 

(1) ADOPTION WORKER 

(2) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(3) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(4) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(5) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(6) OTHER PARENTS 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N12BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN14> 
 

N12BA. (Specify) _________________ <GO TO CPN14> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CHECKPOINT BEFORE N14> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO CHECKPOINT BEFORE N14> 

N12C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever need this service since adopting [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO CPN14> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO CPN14> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO CPN14> 

N12D. Why didn’t you receive this service that you needed? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) COST 

(4) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(6) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N12DA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO CPN14> 

N12DA. Specify:________________ 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

 

SUPPORT 14 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF14 

<CHECKPOINT CPN14: IF [S.C.] < 96 MONTHS, GO TO N18 / ELSE IF C43=1 GO TO N14_INTRO / 

ELSE IF C42 or C43 = NULL GO TO N18 / ELSE GO TO N14C> 

N14_INTRO. Earlier you told me that [S.C.] has spent time in a residential treatment or psychiatric facility 

since the time of his/her adoption. 

 

<CHECKPOINT CPN14A: IF F1=1, GO TO N14A; ELSE GO TO N14AA> 

N14A. Was the payment for residential treatment or psychiatric facility for [S.C.] written into your 

adoption agreement? 

(1) YES 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 117 
Page 118 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N14AA.	 What portion of [S.C.]’s placement (s) in a group home or residential treatment facility or 

psychiatric facility was paid for by each of the following sources: 

N14AA1.	 Medicaid 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s placement (s) in a group home or 

residential treatment facility or psychiatric facility was paid for by each of the following 

sources > 

 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO N14B> 

(6) DON'T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N14AA2.	 Insurance other than Medicaid 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s placement (s) in a group home or 

residential treatment facility or psychiatric facility was paid for by each of the following 

sources > 

 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO N14B> 

(6) DON'T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

 

<CHECKPOINT CPN14AA3: IF K11Q40=1 THEN ASK N14AA3, ELSE GO TO N14AA4> 

N14AA3.	 Child welfare or adoption agency 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s placement (s) in a group home or 

residential treatment facility or psychiatric facility was paid for by each of the following 

sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO N14B> 

(6) DON'T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 
 

 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 119 

N14AA4. You? 

<READ IF NECESSARY: What portion of [S.C.]’s placement (s) in a group home or 

residential treatment facility or psychiatric facility was paid for by each of the following 

sources > 

(1) NONE 

(2) SOME 

(3) ALMOST ALL 

(4) ALL <GO TO N14B> 

(6) DON'T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N14AA5. Is there any other source helping pay for the placement? 

(1) YES < N14AAB> 

(2) NO <NF14B> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <NF14B> 

(7) REFUSED <NF14B> 

 

N14AAB. Other (specify:)________) 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

N14B. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful for [S.C.]? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N14BB. How did you hear about this facility? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL 

(2) ADOPTION WORKER 

(3) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(4) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(5) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(6) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(7) OTHER PARENTS 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N14BBA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N18> 
Page 120 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N14BBA. (Specify) _________________ <GO TO N18> 

(96) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N18> 

(97) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N18> 

N14C. IF C42=NO, ASK: Earlier you told me that [S.C.] has not received any treatment or 

counseling from a mental health professional since the time of the adoption. Did you ever 

want [S.C.] to spend time in a residential treatment or psychiatric facility? IF C42 = DON’T 

KNOW or REFUSED, ASK: Did you ever want [S.C.] to spend time in a residential 

treatment or psychiatric facility? ELSE IF C43 = NO, DON’T KNOW OR REFUSED, ASK: 

Earlier you told me that [S.C.] has not spent time in a residential treatment or psychiatric 

facility since the time of the adoption. Did you ever want [S.C.] to spend time in a residential 

treatment or psychiatric facility? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO	 <GO TO N18 > 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N18 > 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N18 > 

N14D. Why didn’t [S.C.] spend time in a facility that you felt he/she needed? [SELECT ALL THAT 

APPLY] 

 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) AGENCY DID NOT OFFER SERVICES 

(3) COST 

(4) WERE TOLD I/WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE 

(5) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THIS SERVICE 

(6) NO SUCH SERVICES CLOSE TO ME/US 

(7) OTHER <GO TO N14DA> 

 (96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N18 > 

N14DA. Specify:________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

SUPPORT 18 

 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF18 

N18. 	 Now I’d like to ask you about different types of information or education that you received 

about adoption after you adopted [S.C.]. Following your adoption of [S.C.], did you 

[TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] attend any classes, conferences, lectures or seminars 

about adoption? 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 121 

<INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: IF RESPONDENT ASKS ABOUT CHILDREN 

ADOPTED BEFORE [S.C.], THIS QUESTION REFERS TO [S.C.]. IF RESPONDENT 

ASKS ABOUT TIME FRAME, IT IS “AT ANY TIME FOLLOWING YOUR ADOPTION 

OF [S.C.]”> 

(1) YES 

(2) NO	 <GO TO N18C> 

(6) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N18C> 

(7) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N18C> 

N18A. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

 (1) VERY HELPFUL 

 (2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

 (3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N18B. How did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] hear about these classes, conferences, 

lectures or seminars? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) ADOPTION WORKER 

(2) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(3) ADOPTION ATTORNEY 

(4) COMMUNITY OR LOCAL NEWSPAPER 

(5) ADOPTION WEBSITE OR LISTSERV 

(6) OTHER PARENTS 

(7) OTHER	 <GO TO N18BA> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N20> 

 

N18BA. Specify_________________________ <GO TO N20> 

(96) DON’T KNOW	 <GO TO N20> 

(97) REFUSED 	 <GO TO N20> 

N18C. Did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever wish you could attend classes, 

conferences, lectures or seminars about adoption since adopting [S.C.]? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO	 <GO TO N20> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N20> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N20> 
Page 122 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N18D. Why were you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] not able to attend classes, lectures or 

seminars on adoption? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 

(1) PROGRAM/SERVICE DID NOT HAVE ROOM 

(2) COST 

(3) DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ONE 

(4) NONE CLOSE TO US 

(5) OTHER <GO TO N18DA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N20> 

 

N18DA. Specify________________ <GO TO N20> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N20> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO N20> 

SUPPORT 20 

TIMESTAMP_SECTION_NF20 

N20. Following the adoption of [S.C.], have you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] utilized any 

web- or internet-based resources like websites, listservs, or chat rooms for information on 

adoption-related issues? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO	 <GO TO N21> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N21> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N21> 

N20A. Did you find this to be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not very helpful? 

(1) VERY HELPFUL 

(2) SOMEWHAT HELPFUL 

(3) NOT VERY HELPFUL 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N21. Now, I am going to ask you some questions about assistance that you might have provided to 

other adoptive families. Have you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] ever been asked by 

anyone to assist in helping other adoptive families? 

(1) YES 

(2) NO	 <GO TO N22> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N22> 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 123 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N22> 

N21A. Who asked you to assist in helping other adoptive families? 

(1) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(2) FRIEND, RELATIVE OR NEIGHBOR 

(3) CHURCH OR COMMUNITY GROUP 

(4) OTHER ADOPTIVE PARENTS 

(5) OTHER, <GO TO N21AA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N21B> 

N21AA. PLEASE SPECIFY ____________________________. 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

N21B. Following the request, did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] assist in helping other 

adoptive families? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N22. Has anyone ever asked you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] to recruit other adoptive 

families? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO <GO TO N23> 

(6) DON’T KNOW <GO TO N23> 

(7) REFUSED <GO TO N23> 

N22A. Who asked you to assist in recruiting other adoptive families? 

(1) ADOPTION AGENCY 

(2) FRIEND, RELATIVE OR NEIGHBOR 

(3) CHURCH OR COMMUNITY GROUP 

(4) OTHER ADOPTIVE PARENTS 

(5) OTHER, <GO TO N22AA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED, GO TO N22B> 
Page 124 □ Series 1, No. 50 

N22AA. PLEASE SPECIFY ____________________________. 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

N22B. Following the request did you [TEXTFILL: or your spouse/partner] assist in recruiting other 

adoptive families? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N23.	 Now I’m going to ask a few final questions about you [TEXTFILL: and your spouse/partner]. 

What year were you born? 

____________year [POSSIBLE FILL FROM NIS C10AMDY, C10B] 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPN23AA: IF(S3_N DOES NOT = 1 OR 2) GO TO N24> 

N23AA.	 What year was [your spouse/partner] born? 

____________year 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N24. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N24A. Please choose one or more of the following categories to describe your race. Are you White, 

Black or African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or 

other Pacific Islander? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]. 

(1) WHITE 

(2) BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN 

(3) AMERICAN INDIAN 

(4) ALASKA NATIVE 

(5) ASIAN 

(6) NATIVE HAWAIIAN 

(7) PACIFIC ISLANDER 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N24AA> 
 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

 

N24AA. OTHER (specify): _________________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPN25: IF (S3_N DOES NOT = 1 OR 2) GO TO N26> 

N25. Is your [TEXTFILL: spouse/partner] of Hispanic or Latino origin? 

(1) YES 

(0) NO 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N25A. Please choose one or more of the following categories to describe your spouse/partner’s race. 

Is your spouse/partner White, Black or African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, 

Asian, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]. 

(1) WHITE 

(2) BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN 

(3) AMERICAN INDIAN 

(4) ALASKA NATIVE 

(5) ASIAN 

(6) NATIVE HAWAIIAN 

(7) PACIFIC ISLANDER 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N25AA> 

(6) DON’T KNOW 

(7) REFUSED 

N25AA. OTHER (specify). ___________________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

N26. Last week were you working full time, working part time, temporarily not working, 

unemployed, retired, going to school, keeping house, or something else? 

(1) WORKING FULLTIME 

(2) WORKING PART TIME 

(3) TEMPORARILY NOT WORKING 

(4) UNEMPLOYED 

(5) RETIRED 

(6) SCHOOL 

(7) KEEPING HOUSE 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N26A> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 125 
Page 126 □ Series 1, No. 50 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED GO TO CPN27> 

N26A. ____________________ 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<CHECKPOINT CPN27: IF (S3_N DOES NOT = 1 OR 2) GO TO END> 

N27. Last week was your spouse/partner working full time, working part time, temporarily not 

working, unemployed, retired, going to school, keeping house, or something else? 

(1) WORKING FULLTIME 

(2) WORKING PART TIME 

(3) TEMPORARILY NOT WORKING 

(4) UNEMPLOYED 

(5) RETIRED 

(6) SCHOOL 

(7) KEEPING HOUSE 

(8) OTHER <GO TO N27A> 

(96) DON’T KNOW 

(97) REFUSED 

<IF OTHER NOT SELECTED GO TO END> 

N27A. ____________________ <GO TO END> 

(96) DON’T KNOW <GO TO END> 

(97) REFUSED <GO TO END> 

END	 Those are all the questions I have. Before I go, I'll need to confirm your mailing address so 

we can send you $ [Text Fill: '30' IF NSAP_INCENT=30 ELSE '25'] as a token of our 

appreciation for taking the time to answer these questions. 

<GET/CONFIRM ADDRESS and GO TO END_2> 

END_2	 I’d like to thank you on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the time 

and effort you’ve spent answering these questions. If you have any questions about this 

survey, you may call my supervisor toll-free at [TEXTFILL: If Sample Use Code = 1 or 2: 1-

8 6 6 – 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0, if sample use code = 3: 1 - 8 8 8 – 9 9 0 – 9 9 8 6]. If you have 

questions about your rights as a survey participant, you may call the chairman of the 

Research Ethics Review Board at 1-800-223-8118. Thank you again. 

NSAP_END_TIME 
Series 1, No. 50 □ Page 127 

CALLBACK / REFUSAL CONVERSION SCRIPT 

FOR RETURN PHONE CALLS/REFUSAL CONVERSION CALLS IN CSHCN 

INTRO_1 Hello, my name is ____. I’m calling on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. Earlier, we contacted your household to participate in a survey about the health 

of children and teenagers. I’m calling back to continue the interview. In appreciation for your 

time, we will send you $[Text Fill: '30' IF NSAP_INCENT=30 ELSE '25'] for completing the 

interview. (IF NAME WAS GIVEN FOR APPOINTMENT, ASK FOR THAT PERSON.) 

BE SURE TO CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING WITH THE SAME PERSON 

WHO STARTED THE INTERVIEW. THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE INTERVIEW 

MUST COMPLETE THIS INTERVIEW. 

S1 Am I speaking to someone who lives in this household who is over 17 years old? IF NO, 

ASK "Is there someone who lives in this household who is over 17 that I may speak with?" 

 

(01) YES, I AM THAT PERSON [IF [S.C.] IS SELECTED > GO TO REMIND1/ 

ELSE CONTINUE WITH INTERVIEW] 

 (02) THIS IS A BUSINESS [SKIP TO SALZ_BUS] 

 (03) NEW PERSON COMES TO PHONE [SKIP BACK TO INTRO_01] 

 (08) DOES NOT LIVE IN HOUSEHOLD [CALLBACK, SET DISP AND TERMINATE] 

 (09) NO PERSON AT HOME WHO IS OVER 17 [SKIP TO S2_B] 

 (7) REFUSED [GO TO REFUSAL CONVERSION, SET DISP AND 

TERMINATE] 

SALZ_BUS We are interviewing only private residences. Thank you very much. [ENTER 

DISPOSITION AND TERMINATE INTERVIEW AND SET ITS=38] 

S2_B Does anyone live in your household who is over 17 years old? 

 (01) YES > When would be a good time for me to call back and talk to that person? 

[SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT] 

 (02) NO [TERMINATE INTERVIEW] 

REMIND1	 I want to remind you that we will be asking questions about (S.C) for the rest of this 

interview. 

 [CONTINUE WITH INTERVIEW AT POINT OF BREAKOFF] 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 128 □ Series 1, No. 50 

ANSWERING MACHINE MESSAGES 

Answering Machine Message : 

MSG_NSAP - Answering Machine Message: FOR ALL CASES IN THE NSAP INTERVIEW (PAST 

NSAP_1A) 

(PLEASE READ SLOWLY AND CLEARLY.) 

Hello. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting a survey about the health of 

children and the use of medical services. Your telephone number has been selected at random. 

Would you please call us, toll-free, at 1-8 6 6 – 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0? We would be glad to answer any 

questions you have. In appreciation for your time, we will send you $ [Text Fill: ‘30’ IF 

NSAP_INCENT=30 ELSE '25'] for completing the interview. The toll-free number again is 1- 8 6 6 

– 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0. Thank you. 

Answering machine message for appointments: 

MSG_Y_APPT_NSAP - Answering Machine Message: FOR APPOINTMENTS IN THE NSAP 

INTERVIEW (PAST NSAP_1A) 

(PLEASE READ SLOWLY AND CLEARLY.) 

Hello. I am calling on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding a 

nationwide study about the health of children and the use of medical services. When we spoke 

previously about this important study, you requested that we call you back at this time. I'm sorry that 

we've missed you. We'll try to contact you again soon but please feel free to return our call anytime at 

1-8 6 6 – 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0. In appreciation for your time, we will send you $ [Text Fill: '30' IF 

NSAP_INCENT=30 ELSE '25'] for completing the interview. If you have any questions, that number 

again is 1-8 6 6 – 9 9 9 – 3 3 4 0. Thank you. 
Series 1, No. 50

[ Page 129

Appendix IV 

Summary of Questionnaire

Changes During Data

Collection

On May 2, 2007, changes were

made to the following questions on the

National Survey of Adoptive Parents

(NSAP) questionnaire: +	 An error in skip logic at the

checkpoint CPC46 was corrected

from ‘‘IF K2Q34A= NO THEN

SKIP TO CPC49’’ to ‘‘IF K2Q34A = NO THEN SKIP TO CPC42.’’

+	 The interviewer help text at C28

was revised to include telephone

calls as part of the definition of

contact.

On July 5, 2007, the following changes

were made: +	 In S1_N, the list of countries was

alphabetized, but the numbering was

kept the same.

+	 At W1, the following help text was

added: ‘‘Please describe the

relationship as it exists now.’’

+	 At C12_INTRO, C22A, C23A_N,

and C24A, the introduction texts

were improved to further

differentiate these sections.

+	 W13 was moved to just after W8, to

further enhance the flow of the

questionnaire.

+	 The system was changed to skip F3

if no adoption agreement was in

place.

+	 The interview time estimate was

changed from 40 to 35 minutes.

On July 18, 2007, the following change

was made: +	 The interview time estimate was

changed from 35 minutes to ‘‘about

half an hour.’’

On October 5, 2007, the following

changes were made: +	 Incentives for refusal cases in NSAP

were introduced in quarter3 of

2007. As such, text at the following

variables was changed to incorporate

the incentive offer for eligible cases:

INTRO_1, CONSENT_INTRO,

MSCH_NSAP,

MSG_Y_APPT_NSAP, and END.

+	 In addition, language at

CONSENT_INTRO was modified

from ‘‘You may choose not to

answer any question you don’t wish

to answer or stop at any time’’ to

‘‘You may choose not to answer any

questions you don’t wish to answer

or end the interview at any time.’’

On January 3, 2008, the following

changes were made: +	 The system was updated to account

for cases in which K9Q12= 04 and

08 at CPS3 and CPS4.

+	 CPC12C was changed from ‘‘IF

(C8_N = 2 OR C8B = 2) AND

(C7_N = 2 OR C4_N= 2) AND

(C9_N = 2 OR C9B = 2) GO TO

CPC12E, ELSE GO TO C12C’’ to

‘‘IF C7_N = 1 OR C8B = 1 OR

C9B = 1 OR C9D = 1, THEN ASK

C12C, OTHERWISE GO TO

CPC12E.’’

+	 CPC12E was changed from ‘‘IF

C4_N = 2 OR C7_N = 2 GO TO

C12F, ELSE GO TO C12E’’ to ‘‘IF

C7_N=1 ASK C12E, ELSE GO

TO C12F.’’

+	 Text at F16E was changed from ‘‘Is

there any other source helping pay

for medical care?’’ to ‘‘Is there any

other source helping pay for mental

health services?’’
Page 130 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix V 

Pretest

The National Survey of Adoptive

Parents (NSAP) pretest was conducted

in conjunction with the National Survey

of Children’s Health (NSCH) pretest in

December 2006. A total of 61 NSAP

interviews were completed.

Sample

The sample for the NSAP pretest

was a convenience sample. Volunteers

were sought through e-mail notifications

to NORC at the University of Chicago

staff and National Center for Health

Statistics (NCHS) staff, listserv postings

by volunteers, and snowball sampling of

friends and family who had adopted

children. Volunteers were offered $25 as

a token of appreciation for their

participation, and a total of 61

completed surveys were obtained.

NCHS staff and NORC at the

University of Chicago staff who were

interviewed as part of the pretest were

not eligible for the token of

appreciation.

Training

Training was conducted during the

early weeks of December, in

conjunction with NSCH pretest training.

Sixty interviewers were trained for the

NSCH and NSAP pretest. Three 6-hour

training sessions were held in Chicago

with experienced telephone interviewers.

These training sessions used the

techniques described in this

methodology report.

Modifications to the instrument

after pretest

Deletions

The following items were deleted

from the NSAP questionnaire after the

pretest:

+	 S1C, which asked whether the

sampled child’s (abbreviated ‘‘SC’’

in the questionnaire) adoption was

completed in his or her country of

origin.

+ S2 and S2A, which asked in what

country the sampled child was born.

+ S5_N, which asked the respondent’s

marital status.

+ S14C and S14CA, which asked

about other agencies involved in the

adoption.

+ C12D, which asked whether the fact

that the sampled child needed a

home and the respondent wanted to

provide him or her with one was a

reason for adopting the child.

+ C21 and C22_N, which asked

whether the respondent had

considered other types of adoptions.

+ C23J and C23JA, which asked the

respondent about wanting to adopt a

child in need of a permanent family.

+ C24, which read: ‘‘At the time of

the adoption, did the adoption

agency or attorney offer any options

for an open adoption? By open

adoption, we mean sharing written

information such as letters or email,

or in-person visits between you [or

your spouse/partner] and the birth

family or between your child and

the birth family?’’ (This variable

name was reassigned to a new

question. See ‘‘Additions’’ for

details.)

+ Questions C25–C25C, which asked

about postadoption reports. (These

variable names were reassigned to

new questions. See ‘‘Additions’’ for

details.)

+ Questions C28–C28A, which asked

about the sampled child’s

relationship with his or her birth

family members. (These variable

names were reassigned to new

questions. See ‘‘Additions’’ for

details.)

+ Questions C36G–C36GA, which

asked about information the

respondent was able to obtain about

the sampled child prior to the

adoption.

+ C37, which asked how well the

adoption agency or attorney

prepared the respondent for the

adoption.

+ C39, which asked whether the

respondent believed there was

important information the agency

did not know about the sampled

child.

+ C40, which asked if there was

anything else that would have

helped to prepare the respondent for

the adoption.

+ C48 and C48A, which asked about

other mental health or behavioral

conditions with which the sampled

child was diagnosed.

+ C54, which asked whether the

sampled child had ever taken classes

to improve his or her English.

+ The introductory text in

W4_INTRO, which read: ‘‘I am

going to read a series of statements

to you that may or may not be like

[SC]. For each statement, tell me

how often it would be true for you

to make the statement about [SC].’’

+ W10 and W11, which asked about

the effects of having other children

present in the sampled child’s

household.

+ W12_INTRO, which read: ‘‘The

next series of questions are about

the process of adopting [SC] and

how you feel about the experience.’’

+ N13–N13DA, which asked about

special services the sampled child

might have received since the time

of his or her adoption.

+ N14, which asked whether the

sampled child had spent time in a

residential treatment or psychiatric

facility since the time of his or her

adoption.

+ N15A–N17DA, which asked about

support systems such as physical or

occupational therapy, specialized

camps for adopted children, and

in-home nurses.

+ N19–N20BA, which asked about

adoption resources like books,

articles, websites, and Internet chat

rooms.

Additions

+ Questions C21A–C21C, which asked

which types of adoption the

respondent had considered, were

added to the production version of

the instrument.

+ Questions C22–C22IAA, which

listed potential reasons the

respondent had for choosing a

private domestic adoption, were

added.

+ Regarding reasons for choosing to

adopt internationally, follow-up
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 131

questions C23AA–C23LA were

added to each potential reason to

ask whether the reason was very

important, somewhat important, or

not important in their decision to

adopt internationally.

+ Questions C24A–C24FAA were

added to inquire about the reasons

the respondent had for choosing to

adopt a child in the U.S. foster care

system and to determine how

important each reason was in the

respondent’s decision.

+ Questions C25–C25AB, which asked

about postadoption reports in open

adoptions, were added. A help

screen was added to C25 that read:

‘‘By open adoption, we mean

sharing written information such as

letters or email, or in-person visits

between you [or your spouse/

partner] and the birth family or

between your child and the birth

family?’’ Another help screen was

added to C25AA, which read:

‘‘These could be reports to either the

government or to any other

organization in the country of

origin.’’

+ Questions C28, C28A, and C28B,

which asked about the amount and

quality of contact the respondent,

other adoptive parent, and the child

have with the adopted child’s birth

family, were added to the production

version of the questionnaire.

+ Transition text was added to the

section starting with C31. This text,

labeled C31_INTRO, read: ‘‘These

next questions are about any contact

that you [or your spouse/partner]

have had with [SC]’s birth family.’’

+ Transition text was added to the

section starting with C36. This text,

labeled C36_INTRO, read: ‘‘These

next questions are about information

you may have received about [SC]

before adopting [him/her].’’

+ The question stem ‘‘Prior to [SC]’s

adoption, did you [or your

spouse/partner]’’ was added to the

C36 series.

+ Transition text labeled

‘‘F1_INTRO’’ was added to precede

F1. It read: ‘‘These next few

questions are about financial

services you may have received

related to the adoption of [SC].’’

+ Transition text was added to precede

F11. Labeled F11_INTRO, it read:

‘‘These next few questions are about

costs you may have incurred related

to the adoption of [SC].’’

+ Transition text was added to precede

F13. Labeled F13_INTRO, it read:

‘‘These next questions are about

your experiences with Medicaid.

Some of these questions may seem

similar to other questions you have

already answered, but they ask about

different things.’’

+ Transition text was added to

question F15 that read: ‘‘These next

few questions are about mental

health care [SC] may have received

during the last 12 months.’’

+ Transition text was added to precede

F16. Labeled F16_INTRO, it read:

‘‘Earlier you mentioned that [SC]

has received treatment or counseling

from a mental health professional in

the past 12 months.’’ A help screen

was also added that read: ‘‘‘Earlier’

was during the health survey you

completed recently.’’

+ Questions F14A_A and F14AA_A,

which ask about using Medicaid to

obtain mental health services for the

sampled child, were added.

+ A series of new questions

(F16_A–F16EA_A) were added to

determine what portion of the

sampled child’s mental health

medication needs was paid for by

various sources.

+ Transition text was added to precede

F17. Labeled F17_INTRO, it read:

‘‘These next few questions are about

dental care [SC] may have received

in the last 12 months.’’

+ Transition text was added to precede

F19. Labeled F19_INTRO, it read:

‘‘The next few questions are about

other sources of financial support

you may have received at the time

of the adoption.’’

+ Transition text was added to precede

N14. Labeled N14_INTRO, it read:

‘‘Earlier you told me that [SC] has

spent time in a residential treatment

or psychiatric facility since the time

of [his/her] adoption.’’

+ END2 was added immediately

following address verification. It

read: ‘‘I’d like to thank you on

behalf of the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention for the time

and effort you’ve spent answering

these questions. If you have any

questions about this survey, you may

call my supervisor toll-free at

1–866–999–3340. If you have

questions about your rights as a

survey participant, you may call the

chairman of the Research Ethics

Review Board at 1–800–223–8118.

Thank you again.’’

Modifications

+	 The question text and response

options for S1B were modified. The

original question read: ‘‘Was [SC]’s

adoption finalized in the U.S.?’’ The

revised question read: ‘‘In what

country was [SC]’s adoption

completed? Was it in the U.S., the

child’s country of origin, or both?’’

There was also a fourth response

option (not read aloud):

‘‘ADOPTION IS NOT YET

FINALIZED.’’

+	 The question text in S14B was

modified. The original text read:

‘‘Private agency under contract with

public child welfare agency (for

example, Catholic Charities,

Lutheran Social Services)?’’ The

revised text began ‘‘READ IF

NECESSARY: Were any of the

following agencies involved in the

adoption of [SC] . . .)’’ followed by

‘‘Private agency under contract with

public child welfare agency (for

example, Catholic Charities,

Lutheran Social Services)?’’

+	 S15 was modified. The original

version read: ‘‘Was SC’s adoption

an interstate adoption? That is, prior

to SC coming to live with you, did

you and SC live in different states?’’

However, in the revised version, the

question was shortened to ‘‘Was

SC’s adoption an interstate

adoption?’’ In the event that a

respondent required clarification, a

help screen was added that read:

‘‘Prior to [SC] coming to live with

you, did you and [SC] live in

different states?’’

+	 C1A was shortened. The

introduction text, ‘‘Now I would like

to ask you a few questions about

[SC] and the experience of adopting

[him/her],’’ was deleted.
Page 132 [ Series 1, No. 50

+ The response options for C2_N were

altered. The option ‘‘BIRTH

PARENTS’’ was added and the word

‘‘treatment’’ was added to the

response choice ‘‘A RESIDENTIAL

TREATMENT FACILITY IN THE

U.S.’’

+ Questions C3INTRO–C3E were

moved. In the production version of

the instrument, these immediately

followed the question originally

labeled C41. For C3A–C3C and

C3E, the response option ‘‘CHILD

ADOPTED AT BIRTH’’ was added,

along with the instruction that it

should not be read to respondents. A

help screen was added to C3A–C3E

that read: ‘‘These questions may not

apply to your child, but it is

important that we ask these

questions of everyone.’’

+ The question text of C4_N was

changed from ‘‘To your knowledge,

does [SC] have birth siblings

including half siblings?’’ to ‘‘To

your knowledge, does [SC] have

birth siblings, that is, brothers or

sisters of [SC], including half

siblings?’’

+ The question text of C5_N was

changed from ‘‘At the time of

[SC]’s adoption or any time since

then, have any of [SC]’s birth

siblings including half siblings been

available for adoption?’’ to ‘‘Have

any of [SC]’s birth siblings

including half siblings ever been

available for adoption?’’

+ C6_N was modified slightly. The

question formerly read: ‘‘Were you

[or your spouse/partner] interested in

adopting any or all of [SC]’s birth

siblings?’’ In the production version

of the instrument, the words ‘‘or

all’’ were deleted from this question.

+ C7_N was also altered slightly. The

original question read: ‘‘Have you

adopted any birth siblings, that is,

brothers or sisters of [SC]?’’ In the

revised version, the clarifying phrase

‘‘that is, brothers or sisters of [SC]’’

was deleted.

+ In C12A–C12C, the following

‘‘READ IF NECESSARY’’ section

was added: ‘‘Please tell me whether

or not this was one of the reasons

that you [or your spouse/partner]

had for adopting [SC].’’

+ For C12E and C12F, the following

‘‘READ IF NECESSARY’’ section

was added: ‘‘Please tell me whether

or not this was one of the reasons

that you [or your spouse/partner]

had for adopting [SC].’’

+ The question text in C17_N was

changed from ‘‘Is [SC] a different

race or ethnicity or from a different

culture than you?’’ to ‘‘Compared to

yourself, is [SC] a different race or

ethnicity or from a different

culture?’’

+ A ‘‘READ IF NECESSARY’’

section was added to C18C–C18I. It

read: ‘‘Since the time of the

adoption, has your family done any

of the following. . .’’

+ The question originally labeled C24

was renamed C24A, and the original

C24A was renamed C24AA.

+ The question text in C26 was

modified slightly. The phrase ‘‘or

other birth kin’’ was replaced with

‘‘or other birth family members.’’

+ C41 underwent several

modifications. First, the question

stem was changed from ‘‘Overall,

was your [and your spouse’s/

partner’s] experience with your

adoption agency or attorney. . .’’ to

‘‘Now I would like to ask you a few

questions about [SC] and the

experience of adopting [him/her].

Overall, was your [and your

spouse’s/partner’s] experience with

your adoption agency or

attorney. . .’’ Second, the third

response option was changed from

‘‘MIXED, POSITIVES AND

NEGATIVES ABOUT EQUAL’’ to

‘‘MIXED.’’ Lastly, a sixth response

option was added that read:

‘‘THERE WAS NO ATTORNEY

OR AGENCY.’’

+ The question text in C42 was

changed. Originally, it read: ‘‘Since

the time the adoption was finalized,

has [SC] ever seen a counselor or

doctor for emotional or behavioral

problems?’’ The revised version

read: ‘‘Mental health professionals

include psychiatrists, psychologists,

psychiatric nurses, and clinical

social workers. Since the time the

adoption was finalized, has [SC]

received any treatment or counseling

from a mental health professional?’’

+ C44 was rephrased. The original

version read: ‘‘Has a doctor or

health professional ever told you [or

your spouse/partner] that [SC] has

the following conditions. . .’’ The

revised version read: ‘‘Now I am

going to read you a list of

conditions. For each condition,

please tell me if a doctor or other

health care provider ever told you

that [SC] had the condition, even if

[he/she] does not have the condition

now.’’

+ The language in C51 was changed

from ‘‘gotten pregnant’’ to ‘‘been

pregnant.’’

+ More-specific language was added

to C55. The original text read: ‘‘Has

[SC] ever received special education

services?’’ The revised version read:

‘‘Does [SC] receive services from a

program called Special Educational

Services? Children receiving these

services often have an

Individualized Education Program.’’

The help screen associated with this

question was also revised. The new

text read: ‘‘Special Education is any

kind of special school, classes, or

tutoring.’’

+ In C56, the question text was

changed from ‘‘reading/language

arts’’ to ‘‘reading and language

arts.’’ Also, for C56 and C56A, the

response option ‘‘VERY GOOD’’

was inserted between

‘‘EXCELLENT’’ and ‘‘GOOD.’’

+ In W1 and W1A, the response

option ‘‘NEITHER WARM AND

CLOSE NOR DISTANT’’ was

deleted.

+ The response categories were altered

in W2. Originally, the choices were

‘‘VERY OFTEN,’’ ‘‘SOMETIMES,’’

‘‘NOT VERY OFTEN,’’ and

‘‘ALMOST NEVER.’’ The revised

categories are ‘‘NEVER,’’

‘‘RARELY,’’ ‘‘SOMETIMES,’’ and

‘‘ALWAYS.’’

+ The third response option in W3

was changed from

‘‘DISSATISFIED’’ to

‘‘SOMEWHAT DISSATISFIED.’’

+ The response categories in W4–W6

were altered. Originally, they were:

‘‘ALWAYS,’’ ‘‘OFTEN,’’

‘‘SOMETIMES,’’ ‘‘SELDOM,’’ and

‘‘NEVER.’’ The revised categories
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 133

are ‘‘NEVER,’’ ‘‘RARELY,’’

‘‘SOMETIMES,’’ ‘‘USUALLY,’’ and

‘‘ALWAYS.’’

+ The first and third response options

in W7 and W8 were changed from

‘‘BETTER THAN YOU

EXPECTED’’ and ‘‘WORSE THAN

YOU EXPECTED’’ to ‘‘BETTER

THAN YOU EVER EXPECTED’’

and ‘‘MORE DIFFICULT THAN

YOU EVER EXPECTED,’’

respectively.

+ The response categories in W9 were

changed from ‘‘NEVER,’’

‘‘HARDLY EVER,’’

‘‘SOMETIMES,’’ and ‘‘ALMOST

ALWAYS’’ to ‘‘NEVER,’’

‘‘RARELY,’’ ‘‘SOMETIMES,’’

‘‘USUALLY,’’ and ‘‘ALWAYS.’’

+ The second, third, and fourth

response options in W12 changed.

The question text was also revised

to reflect these changes. The original

text listed the options as follows:

‘‘Would you say it has affected your

family very positively, positively,

mixed (positives and negatives about

equal), negatively, or very

negatively?’’ The revised text read:

‘‘Would you say it has affected your

family very positively, somewhat

positively, somewhat negatively,

very negatively, or mixed?’’

+ The response categories in W13

were revised. The original text listed

the response options in this way:

‘‘Would you say it is much better

than expected, better than expected,

just about what you expected, worse

than expected, or much worse than

expected?’’ The revised text read:

‘‘Would you say it is better than you

expected, about what you expected,

or more difficult than expected?’’

+ Another response option was added

to W14. ‘‘FEELS NEITHER

POSITIVE NOR NEGATIVE

ABOUT IT’’ was inserted as the

middle category, and the remaining

answer choices were renumbered

accordingly.

+ W17B was changed from an

open-ended question to a

closed-coded question. The original

question read: ‘‘Why did [SC] live

outside your home?’’ The revised

version read: ‘‘Was [SC]’s time

away from home related to problems

or conflicts among family

members?’’ Response options

‘‘YES’’ and ‘‘NO’’ were also added.

+ The introductory text in

W21A_INTRO was revised.

Originally, it read: ‘‘How important

were the following reasons for

taking this action. . .?’’ The new text

read: ‘‘I am going to read a list of

reasons some parents may take this

action. Please tell me if each was a

very important, somewhat important,

or not important reason for you.’’

+ In W21A–W21E, the response

categories ‘‘NOT TOO

IMPORTANT’’ and ‘‘NOT AT ALL

IMPORTANT’’ were deleted and

replaced with ‘‘NOT

IMPORTANT.’’

+ The formatting in W23–W23G was

changed. The original stem read:

‘‘What prevented you [or your

spouse/partner] from ending it or

trying to end it? Did you. . .’’ The

subsequent items in this series each

listed a potential reason (e.g.,

W23A, ‘‘Resolve the problem(s)

within family’’). The revised stem

read: ‘‘I am going to read a list of

reasons why you [or your

spouse/partner] may have changed

your mind about ending it. Please

tell me if each was a reason you are

no longer trying to end the

adoption.’’ The subsequent items

read as complete sentences (e.g.,

W23A, ‘‘You resolved the

problem(s) within family.’’)

+ In F1, the latter half of the question

text was moved to a help screen. It

read: ‘‘By adoption agreement we

mean an agreement made before the

finalization of the adoption that may

include monthly maintenance

payments from the agency, medical

coverage, and other services such as

therapy.’’

+ In F2A, a portion of the question

text was moved to a help screen. It

read: ‘‘An adoption subsidy is a

monthly payment.’’

+ The second response category in

F10 was changed from ‘‘DID NOT

QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDY OR

WERE TURNED DOWN’’ to

‘‘WERE TURNED DOWN.’’

+ The question text in F11 was

changed from ‘‘Were out-of-pocket

expenses incurred at the time of the

adoption, for example, did you pay

for a home study or pay an

attorney?’’ to ‘‘Did you pay

anything at the time of the adoption,

for example, did you pay for a home

study or pay an attorney?’’

+ The response options, and thus

question text, in F12 were modified.

The original read: ‘‘Did the adoption

agency reimburse all of these

expenses, reimburse some but not all

expenses, or were none of these

expenses reimbursed?’’ The revised

version read: ‘‘Did the adoption

agency reimburse all, some, or none

of these expenses?’’

+ The question text in F15 was

modified to define mental health

care. The original text read: ‘‘In the

last 12 months has [SC] had any

mental health care?’’ The revised

version read: ‘‘Mental health

professionals include psychiatrists,

psychologists, psychiatric nurses,

and clinical social workers. During

the past 12 months, has [SC]

received any treatment or counseling

from a mental health professional?’’

+ The question text in F16 was

changed from ‘‘What portion of

[SC]’s mental health needs in the

last 12 months was paid for by each

of the following sources:’’ to ‘‘What

portion of [SC]’s mental health

services in the last 12 months was

paid for by each of the following

sources: would you say none, some,

almost all, or all of [SC]’s mental

health services were paid for by. . .’’

+ Slight modifications were made to

the format and language of

questions F17–F17D, which ask

about payment for dental or

orthodontia care, and questions

F18A–F18D, which ask about

payment for medical care.

Specifically, in F17A, ‘‘in the past

year’’ was changed to ‘‘in the past

12 months.’’

+ The question text in N1C was

modified. The end of the question

was changed from ‘‘social worker at

an adoption agency’’ to ‘‘someone at

an adoption agency to discuss

postadoption services and supports

after the adoption was finalized.’’
Page 134 [ Series 1, No. 50

+	 In N2C–N3C, the term ‘‘a support

group’’ was changed to ‘‘an

adoption support group.’’

+	 In N5–N5F, the term ‘‘counseling’’

was changed to ‘‘mental health care

or counseling.’’

+	 A help screen was added to N6. It

read: ‘‘By ‘family counseling’ we

mean any counseling for family

problems, not just counseling related

to being adopted.’’

+	 In N6C, ‘‘since [SC]’s adoption’’

was deleted from the end of the

question.

+	 In N7 and N7C, ‘‘in-home crisis

counseling’’ was shortened to ‘‘crisis

counseling.’’

+	 In N8, the following clarification

was added at the end of the question

text: ‘‘Please do not include routine

screening for purposes of

employment or participation in

school activities.’’

+	 In N12C, ‘‘since adopting [SC]’’

was deleted from the end of the

question.

+	 Logic was added to N14C that

prompted the interviewer to read

introductory text depending on the

respondent’s answers to C42 and

C43. This addition was as follows:

‘‘IF C42 = NO, ASK: Earlier you

told me that [SC] has not received

any treatment or counseling from a

mental health professional since the

time of the adoption. Did you ever

want [SC] to spend time in a

residential treatment or psychiatric

facility? ELSE IF C43 = NO, DK,

OR RF, ASK: Earlier you told me

that [SC] has not spent time in a

residential treatment or psychiatric

facility since the time of the

adoption.’’

+	 In N18C, ‘‘since adopting [SC]’’

was added to the end of the

question.

+	 The response options in N26 and

N27 were modified to include

‘‘TEMPORARILY NOT

WORKING,’’ ‘‘UNEMPLOYED,’’

and ‘‘RETIRED.’’

+	 The ‘‘READ IF NECESSARY’’ text

that repeats the question stem on

follow-up questions was added for

the following variables: S14B,

C12A–C12F, C21B and C21C,

C18B–C18I, C22A–C22H,

C23A–C23K, C24A–C24E, C33 and

C34, C36C–C36F, C3A–C3E,

C44–C47, W21A–W21E,

W23A–W23G, F6B and F6C,

F16A–F16D, F16A_A–F16D_A,

F17C–F17D, F18C–F18D, and

N14AA–N14AA4.
Series 1, No. 50

[ Page 135

Appendix VI 

Letters Sent to Sampled

Households

This appendix contains the National

Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP)­

specific complement of letters sent to

households. The full complement of

advance letters, follow-up letters, and

thank you letters used over the course of

data collection for the National

Immunization Survey and the National

Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH)

can be found in the 2007 NSCH design

and operations report (7).

The following four NSAP letters are

included in this appendix: +	 Follow-up letter when incentives

were offered to households that had

refused twice or passively refused.

+	 Follow-up letter when incentives

were offered to households that had

refused twice or passively refused,

for banked sample.

+	 Thank you letter when incentive was

mailed ($25). Cases receiving this

letter were either (a) eligible for $25

or (b) eligible for $30 and had

already receiveda $5 prepaid

incentive.

+	 Thank you letter when incentive was

mailed ($30). Cases receiving this

letter were eligible for $30 and did

not receivea $5 prepaid incentive.
Page 136 [ Series 1, No. 50

NSAP Refusal Conversion Letter (front)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	 Public Health Service 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 

3311 Toledo Road 

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The CDC needs your help!

We recently asked you to take part in a survey to help federal, state, and local agencies learn more about the special 

needs and concerns of families. The information we are asking for will help us assess the health and well-being of the 

nation’s children and their families. The questions cover many broad topics including experiences with health care, 

child care, foster care, educational and counseling services, local support groups, adoption, and parent and child 

relationships. 

We hope you will choose to take part in this important survey when an interviewer calls. You can call the study’s 

toll-free telephone number, 1–866-999–3340, if you want to take part now or to learn more about the study’s 

background and what you will be asked. 

The information you provide is confidential and protected by federal law. You will find answers to questions you 

might have about the study on the back of this letter. 

Thank you very much for your help with this important research. We look forward to speaking with you. 

Sincerely, 

/Edward J. Sondik/ 

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D. 

Director, National Center for Health Statistics 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

P.S. To thank you for your time and effort, we have enclosed $5. We will send an additional $25 in cash once you

participate in the interview.

If you would like to contact us using a TTY, please call the AT&T Relay Service at 1–800–855–2880 and

request that 1–866–999–3340 be called.

NSAP_IN_5_3340_Q207 
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 137

NSAP Refusal Conversion Letter (back)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you doing this study?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is committed to improving children’s health and well-being. State and

federal health agencies will use the results of this study to help them understand how best to meet the needs of all

types of children.

How will you use my answers?

A survey sponsor, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS), creates federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children,

individuals, and communities. The ACF will use the information we collect to determine where funding is needed for

state and local public health services which support children and their families. Federal, state, and local agencies (such

as the CDC and State Health and Welfare Departments) will use the information we collect to better understand the

special needs and circumstances of families. You may visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm to find general

information about the study.

Who sees my answers?

You will be called by a trained interviewer who enters your answers into a computer. Everyone who works on the

survey must sign an oath that promises they will never give out anyone’s personal information. Only a few people

who work on this survey ever see any personal information. Answers that could identify you or your family in any

way are separated from your other answers. Survey findings are put into summary reports that contain no names or

other information that identifies you.

How do you protect my information?

Your answers are used for health research purposes only. We conduct this survey under the Public Health Service Act.

It and other strict U.S. laws require that we protect your family’s information and keep it confidential. If you would

like to know more about how we protect your answers, these laws are described in detail at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

about/policy/confidentiality.htm.

If you want to know more about your rights as a study participant you may call 1–800-223–8118, toll free. This is the

number for the Research Ethics Review Board at CDC. You will be asked to leave a message. Say you are calling

about Protocol 2007–08. You may also contact the CDC’s general number at 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636) or

by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Participation in the study is your choice. You may choose not to answer any question that you do not wish to answer

or stop at any time.

Can I call you to participate?

Yes, call 1–866–999–3340 toll free to take part in the study right away, learn more about the study, and hear what you

will be asked.

NSAP_IN_5_3340_Q207 
Page 138 [ Series 1, No. 50

NSAP Q1 Bank Refusal Conversion Letter (front)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	 Public Health Service 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 

3311 Toledo Road 

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The CDC needs your help!

We recently asked you to take part in a survey to help federal, state, and local agencies learn more about the special 

needs and concerns of families. The information we are asking for will help us assess the health and well-being of the 

nation’s children and their families. The questions cover many broad topics including experiences with health care, 

child care, foster care, educational and counseling services, local support groups, adoption, and parent and child 

relationships. 

We hope you will choose to take part in this important survey when an interviewer calls. You can call the study’s 

toll-free telephone number, 1–888-990–9986, if you want to take part now or to learn more about the study’s 

background and what you will be asked. 

The information you provide is confidential and protected by federal law. You will find answers to questions you 

might have about the study on the back of this letter. 

Thank you very much for your help with this important research. We look forward to speaking with you. 

Sincerely, 

/Edward J. Sondik/ 

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D. 

Director, National Center for Health Statistics 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

P.S. To thank you for your time and effort, we have enclosed $5. We will send an additional $25 in cash once you

participate in the interview.

If you would like to contact us using a TTY, please call the AT&T Relay Service at 1–800–855–2880 and

request that 1–888–990–9986 be called.

NSAP_IN_5_9986_Q207 
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 139

NSAP Q1 Bank Refusal Conversion Letter (back)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you doing this study?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is committed to improving children’s health and well-being. State and

federal health agencies will use the results of this study to help them understand how best to meet the needs of all

types of children.

How will you use my answers?

A survey sponsor, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS), creates federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children,

individuals, and communities. The ACF will use the information we collect to determine where funding is needed for

state and local public health services which support children and their families. Federal, state, and local agencies (such

as the CDC and State Health and Welfare Departments) will use the information we collect to better understand the

special needs and circumstances of families. You may visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm to find general

information about the study.

Who sees my answers?

You will be called by a trained interviewer who enters your answers into a computer. Everyone who works on the

survey must sign an oath that promises they will never give out anyone’s personal information. Only a few people

who work on this survey ever see any personal information. Answers that could identify you or your family in any

way are separated from your other answers. Survey findings are put into summary reports that contain no names or

other information that identifies you.

How do you protect my information?

Your answers are used for health research purposes only. We conduct this survey under the Public Health Service Act.

It and other strict U.S. laws require that we protect your family’s information and keep it confidential. If you would

like to know more about how we protect your answers, these laws are described in detail at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

about/policy/confidentiality.htm.

If you want to know more about your rights as a study participant you may call 1–800–223–8118, toll free. This is the

number for the Research Ethics Review Board at CDC. You will be asked to leave a message. Say you are calling

about Protocol 2007–08. You may also contact the CDC’s general number at 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636) or

by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Participation in the study is your choice. You may choose not to answer any question that you do not wish to answer

or stop at any time.

Can I call you to participate?

Yes, call 1–888–990–9986 toll free to take part in the study right away, learn more about the study, and hear what you

will be asked.

NSAP_IN_5_9986_Q207 
Page 140 [ Series 1, No. 50

NSAP $25 Thank You Letter

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	 Public Health Service 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 

3311 Toledo Road 

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 

Dear Parent or Guardian, 

Thank you for taking part in the National Survey of Adoptive Parents. The information that you gave about your child 

will help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develop programs to promote adoption and examine the 

health of adopted children in your state and throughout the United States. 

In appreciation for your time and effort spent answering our questions, we have enclosed $25. 

If you would like more information about the National Survey of Adoptive Parents, you can visit the study’s web site 

at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm or call the toll-free telephone number for the study at 1–866–999–3340. 

Thank you again for your help with this important research. 

Sincerely, 

/Edward J. Sondik/ 

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D. 

Director, National Center for Health Statistics 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

NSAP_THANKYOU_25_Q207 
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 141

NSAP $30 Thank You Letter

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 

3311 Toledo Road 

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 

Dear Parent or Guardian, 

Thank you for taking part in the National Survey of Adoptive Parents. The information that you gave about your child 

will help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develop programs to promote adoption and examine the 

health of adopted children in your state and throughout the United States. 

In appreciation for your time and effort spent answering our questions, we have enclosed $30. 

If you would like more information about the National Survey of Adoptive Parents, you can visit the study’s web site 

at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm or call the toll-free telephone number for the study at 1–866–999–3340. 

Thank you again for your help with this important research. 

Sincerely, 

/Edward J. Sondik/ 

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D. 

Director, National Center for Health Statistics 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

NSAP_THANKYOU_30_Q207 
Page 142 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix VII 

Disposition Code

Frequencies and Response

Rate Calculation

This appendix consists of Tables II

and III.

Table II. NSAP final case dispositions

Disposition Percent

Description of disposition code category Frequency of total

Total number of sampled telephone lines................................... ... 2,806,416 100.00 

Virgin number, not released ........................................... UH 7 0.00 

No contact ..................................................... UH 191,956 6.84 

Three or more fax or modem tones prior to contact ............................ Z 35,575 1.27 

Three or more fast busy signals prior to contact .............................. Z 14,810 0.53 

Three or more other technological problems prior to contact ....................... Z 630 0.02 

Two or more not-in-service messages .................................... Z 250,155 8.91 

Other nonworking number ............................................ Z 22,451 0.80 

Number changed ................................................. Z 806 0.03 

Not residential ................................................... Z 119,746 4.27 

Answering machine, residential status unknown .............................. UH 82,561 2.94 

Answering machine, known household .................................... UO 2,317 0.08 

Spanish case, residential status unknown .................................. UH 210 0.01 

Appointment at introduction, residential status unknown ......................... UH 1,628 0.06 

Callback at introduction, residential status unknown ............................ UH 10,475 0.37 

Hang-up during introduction, residential status unknown ......................... UH 87,920 3.13 

Refusal at introduction, residential status unknown............................. UH 71,133 2.53 

Other at introduction, residential status unknown .............................. UH 82 0.00 

Appointment, known household (NIS screening pending)......................... UO 8,468 0.30 

Callback, known household (NIS screening pending) ........................... UO 23,435 0.84 

Refusal, known household (NIS screening pending) ............................ UO 25,110 0.89 

Other, known household (NIS screening pending) ............................. UO 488 0.02 

NIS-level appointment (NIS-eligible)...................................... R 114 0.00 

NIS-level callback (NIS-eligible) ........................................ R 52 0.00 

NIS-level refusal (NIS-eligible) ......................................... R 1,159 0.04 

NIS-level other (NIS-eligible) .......................................... R 9 0.00 

NIS finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing, recontact unsuccessful................... R 1,748 0.06 

Teen-level appointment (teen screening pending) ............................. R 41 0.00 

Teen-level callback (teen screening pending) ................................ R 102 0.00 

Teen-level refusal (teen screening pending) ................................. R 317 0.01 

Teen-level other (teen screening pending) .................................. R 10 0.00 

Teen-level appointment (teen eligible)..................................... R 6 0.00 

Teen-level callback (teen eligible) ....................................... R 5 0.00 

Teen-level refusal (teen eligible) ........................................ R 121 0.00 

Teen-level other (teen eligible) ......................................... R 1 0.00 

Teen finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing, recontact unsuccessful .................. R 237 0.01 

Appointment prior to NSCH item S_UNDR18 (NSCH screening pending)............... UO 621 0.02 

Callback prior to NSCH item S_UNDR18 (NSCH screening pending) ................. UO 3,761 0.13 

Refusal prior to NSCH item S_UNDR18 (NSCH screening pending) .................. UO 9,530 0.34 

Other prior to NSCH item S_UNDR18 (NSCH screening pending) ................... UO 312 0.01 

Appointment prior to NSCH item K8Q12 ................................... R 7,602 0.27 

Callback prior to NSCH item K8Q12 ..................................... R 9,673 0.34 

Refusal prior to NSCH item K8Q12 ...................................... R 21,762 0.78 

NIS finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing, ended prior to NSCH item K8Q12 ............ R 274 0.01 

Teen finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing, ended prior to NSCH item K8Q12 ........... R 38 0.00 

Other prior to NSCH item K8Q12 ....................................... R 463 0.02 

Appointment: Age-eligible, NSAP screening incomplete .......................... NS 146 0.01 

Callback: Age-eligible, NSAP screening incomplete ............................ NS 131 0.00 

Refusal: Age-eligible, NSAP screening incomplete ............................. NS 152 0.01 

NIS finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing: Age-eligible, NSAP screening incomplete ....... NS 2 0.00 

Other: Age-eligible, NSAP screening incomplete .............................. NS 1 0.00 

Appointment: NSAP-eligible, interview incomplete ............................. E 211 0.01 
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 143

Table II. NSAP final case dispositions—Con.

Description of disposition code

Disposition

category Frequency

Percent

of total

Callback: NSAP-eligible, interview incomplete................................ E 150 0.01 

Refusal: NSAP-eligible, interview incomplete ................................ E 255 0.01 

NIS finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing: NSAP-eligible, interview incomplete ........... E 4 0.00 

Other: NSAP-eligible, interview incomplete.................................. E 28 0.00 

Appointment: Partial NSAP interview ..................................... P 4 0.00 

Callback: Partial NSAP interview........................................ P 2 0.00 

Completed NSAP interview ........................................... I 1522 0.05 

Converted NSAP interview from refusal ................................... I 551 0.02 

Converted NSAP interview: NIS finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing ................ I 9 0.00 

Converted NSAP interview: Teen finalized, eligible for SLAITS redialing................ I 1 0.00 

NSAP-ineligible: Age-eligible, child not adopted............................... XN 88,432 3.15 

NSAP-ineligible: Age-eligible, language .................................... XN 41 0.00 

Minor household.................................................. X 2,843 0.10 

Age-ineligible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X 377,287 13.44 

Prefinalized, Do Not Call list .......................................... UO 9 0.00 

GENESYS-resolved telephone numbers (nonworking, business, and modem numbers) ...... Z 1,326,714 47.27 

. . . Category not applicable.

0.00 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.005.

NOTES: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; NIS is National Immunization Survey; SLAITS is State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey; NSCH is National Survey of Children’s

Health, 2007.

Table III. Unweighted response rate calculations for NSAP

Frequency or Disposition code

Disposition categories and response rates calculated rate or formula

Summary of disposition categories

Noncontact ............................... 191,963 UH 

Answering machine .......................... 82,561 UH 

Unknown residential status...................... 171,448 UH 

Known household, unknown age eligibility ............ 74,051 UO 

Disconnect................................ 324,427 Z 

Nonresidential.............................. 119,746 Z 

GENESYS prefinalized ........................ 1,326,714 Z 

Age-eligible, NSCH incomplete ................... 43,734 R 

Age-eligible, NSCH complete, NSAP screening incomplete . . 432 NS 

Age-eligible, NSAP-ineligible..................... 88,473 XN 

Age-ineligible .............................. 380,130 X 

SAP-eligible, incomplete interview ................. 648 E 

Full NSAP completed interviews at the household level .... 2,083 I 

Partial NSAP interviews at the household level ......... 6 P 

Total .................................. 2,806,416 

Calculation of response rates

(I+P+E+NS+R+XN+X+UO+Z) /

Resolution rate (RR).......................... 84.11% (I+P+E+NS+R+XN+X+UO+Z+UH)

(I+P+E+NS+R+XN+X) /

Age screener completion rate (SCR1) ............... 87.44% (I+P+E+NS+R+XN+X+UO)

NSCH interview completion rate (ICR1) .............. 67.69% (I+P+E+NS+XN) / (I+P+E+NS+XN+R)

NSAP screener completion rate1

(SCR2) ............. 99.53% (I+P+E+XN) / (I+P+E+NS+XN)

NSAP interview completion rate (ICR2) .............. 76.32% (I+P) / (I+P+E)

Overall response rate ......................... 37.82% (RR)(SCR1)(ICR1)(SCR2)(ICR2) 

1

Given that the NSCH interview was completed.

NOTES: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health, 2007. Response rate calculations are unweighted for all quarters including Q1BANK. NSAP

includes cases called between April 5, 2007, and July 27, 2008.
Page 144 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix VIII 

Incentive Effort

The National Survey of Adoptive

Parents (NSAP) faced a response-rate

challenge because, as part of the State

and Local Area Integrated Telephone

Survey framework, it was possible for

NSAP-eligible respondents to have been

screened and interviewed for up to three

surveys before beginning the NSAP

interview. This prior demand for

respondents’ time and effort may have

increased the chance of nonresponse. To

counteract this possibility, an incentive

model was developed for NSAP-eligible

households. Implementation of this

model augmented other efforts to collect

data from all NSAP-eligible households.

Eligible cases

To acknowledge the additional time

asked of NSAP-eligible households, and

with fewer households eligible for

NSAP, all NSAP-eligible households

were offered $25 for completion of the

survey. Households qualified for an

additional $5 incentive (total $30

incentive payment) based on their

interview status and their calling history

characteristics.

Eligibility for the incentive effort

was initially limited to households that

had refused participation (i.e., active

refusal). This incentive effort began in

September 2007. After two refusals in

an NSAP-eligible case’s call history,

with at least the second of those refusals

occurring during the NSAP interview,

the case became eligible for the

additional $5 incentive ($30 total

incentive payment).

In addition, an expanded incentive

effort was implemented during NSAP,

beginning in November 2007, to attempt

to contact a small group of

nonresponders. This effort was similar

to the expanded incentive effort for the

National Survey of Children’s Health

(NSCH). Multiple attempts to contact

these NSAP-eligible respondents had

yielded either a prolonged period of no

contact, or one refusal followed by an

abbreviated period of no contact. These

patterns of continued nonresponse

despite repeated attempts at contact with

the household were classified as passive

refusals. To ensure that such cases were

not underrepresented in NSAP data,

these cases also qualified for the

additional $5 incentive ($30 total

incentive payment).

Two groups of passive refusal cases

were added to the existing NSAP

incentive model: (a) NSAP-eligible

households that had never refused in

their call history but had multiple calls

placed to their household over a period

of time without successful contact, and

(2) NSAP-eligible households that had

refused once during their call history

and, subsequent to this refusal, had had

multiple calls placed to their household

over a period of time without successful

contact.

Although the additional $5 incentive

for active and passive refusal cases was

implemented in the middle of the data

collection, eligible cases from previous

quarters were also worked as part of the

incentive effort.

Procedures

Once NSAP-eligible cases qualified

for the additional $5 incentive ($30 total

incentive), through either active or

passive refusal, they were offered the

incentive either by mail or on callback

in the following manner. After a second

refusal or qualifying for a passive

refusal incentive, cases were temporarily

finalized, or removed from calling,

within the computer-assisted telephone

interviewing (CATI) system. For

households with an available address, a

letter (see Appendix VI) was mailed

with $5 enclosed. The letter explained

that attempts had been made to contact

the household by telephone to complete

the NSAP interview. It also briefly

described NSAP, included a frequently

asked questions section about the

survey, and mentioned that $25 would

be mailed upon continued participation

in NSAP. In this way, the letter served

as a supplementary mode of refusal

conversion. After approximately 1–2

weeks from the time the case

temporarily finalized, the active refusal

and passive refusal incentive cases were

reactivated and offered $25 by

telephone. The incentive offer was

introduced in various interview scripts

(i.e., consent script, callback script,

answering machine script) based on case

progress within the interview. For active

refusal or passive refusal incentiveeligible households without an address,

$30 was introduced at similar points in

the survey.

On the basis of refusal counts

following the incentive offer, cases

would be permanently finalized and not

called again. Active refusal cases (with

two previous refusals) and passive

refusal cases were finalized after one

subsequent refusal. Passive refusals with

no previous refusals were finalized after

the second refusal post-incentive offer.

In addition, if any case refused in a

hostile manner or requested to be

removed from the calling list, the case

was finalized and not called again.

If any passive refusal or active

refusal incentive-eligible household

completed NSAP—or if a respondent

requested the incentive without

completing the interview—address

information for the household was either

confirmed or collected. The appropriate

$25 or $30 payment was mailed to the

household, along with a letter expressing

appreciation for the respondent’s time

and effort spent participating in the

interview. If a household completed

NSAP without becoming eligible for the

$5 incentive, $25 was mailed to the

household enclosed in a letter

expressing appreciation for their

participation. Households that completed

the NSAP interview but declined to

confirm or provide address information

(26 cases) were not mailed the incentive

payment.

Results

Of the 2,737 NSAP-eligible cases,

1,978 completed the survey without

additional incentives (72.3% completion

rate), as can be seen in Table IV.

The $5 additional incentive effort

for both active and passive refusals

helped achieve 111 additional NSAP

interviews, as shown in Table V. Of the

active refusal incentive cases, 33.2%

completed the interview. Of the passive

incentive cases, 37.5% completed the

interview.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 145

The $5 additional incentive effort

increased the unweighted interview

completion rate from 72.3% to 76.3%

with the additional 111 interviews

achieved.

Table IV. Case status after initial $25 incentive

Status NSAP-eligible1 Percent

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,737 100.0

Completed interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,978 72.3

Did not complete, qualified for additional $5 active refusal incentive.... 244 8.9

Did not complete, qualified for additional $5 passive refusal incentive. . . 80 2.9

Did not complete, not eligible for further incentive ............... 435 15.9

1

NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents.

Table V. Interview completion rates by NSAP incentive type

NSAP- Completed Completion

Incentive eligible interview rate

$25 initial incentive, qualified for additional $5 active refusal

incentive................................... 244 81 33.2

$25 initial incentive, qualified for additional $5 passive refusal

incentive................................... 80 30 37.5

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents.
Page 146 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix IX 

Nonresponse Bias Analysis

As described previously, the overall

response rate for the National Survey of

Adoptive Parents (NSAP) was 34.6%.

Nonresponse to NSAP occurred in two

stages: (a) nonresponse to the 2007

National Survey of Children’s Health

(NSCH) and (b) nonresponse to the

follow-up interview for NSAP. What is

unusual in this case is that all of the

nonrespondents in the second stage had

already completed NSCH, and as a

result a great deal of information was

known about these nonrespondents—

information that is usually not available

for nonrespondents. This had two main

implications: (a) it was possible to

conduct a more extensive and accurate

analysis of the potential for nonresponse

bias resulting from the second stage of

nonresponse than would normally be

possible, and (b) it was possible to

Table VI. Percentage of children by demographic and health characteristics for respondents

and nonrespondents in NSAP

Weighted percent (SE) 

NSAP-eligible, NSAP-eligible,

Child-level characteristic nonrespondents respondents

Adoption type

International ...................................... 21.4 (3.84) 26.1 (2.07)

Foster care....................................... 32.1 (4.29) 38.8 (2.55) 

Private domestic ................................... †46.5 (4.76) †35.1 (2.49) 

Age

0–2 years ....................................... 5.8 (1.51) 5.2 (0.69) 

3–5 years ....................................... †8.7 (2.24) †15.4 (2.07) 

6–11 years ....................................... 34.5 (4.41) 40.8 (2.55) 

12–17 years ...................................... †51.0 (4.73) †38.7 (2.45)

Sex

Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.3 (4.64) 46.8 (2.60)

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.7 (4.64) 53.2 (2.60)

Race/ethnicity

Hispanic ........................................ 11.0 (2.92) 16.8 (2.27) 

Non-Hispanic white.................................. 34.5 (3.87) 36.9 (2.37) 

Non-Hispanic black.................................. †31.9 (4.96) †20.2 (2.05)

Non-Hispanic Asian ................................. †10.7 (2.23) †17.0 (1.96)	 

Non-Hispanic other.................................. 11.9 (3.95) 9.2 (1.37) 	 

Overall health

Excellent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.9 (4.71) 58.2 (2.55) 

Very good ....................................... 33.3 (4.63) 26.7 (2.19) 

Good .......................................... 9.4 (1.98) 10.4 (1.55)

Fair ........................................... 2.1 (0.93) 3.2 (1.04)

Poor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 (0.17) 1.5 (1.22) 

Child has special health care needs

Yes ........................................... 35.3 (4.62) 40.9 (2.58)

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.7 (4.62) 59.1 (2.58) 

Child received mental health treatment

Yes ........................................... 21.1 (3.62) 21.1 (2.06)

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78.9 (3.62) 78.9 (2.06)

Child has health insurance

Yes ........................................... 91.0 (3.29) 96.1 (0.68) 

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.0 (3.29) 3.9 (0.68)

Sample size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648 2,089

Weight ......................................... NSCH NSCH

† Estimates for respondents and nonrespondents differ at the 0.05 level.

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; SE is standard error; NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSCH, 2007.	 

adjust the weights very precisely to

correct for nonresponse bias (as

described in Appendix I). As a result of

the weighting adjustments, the overall

response rate for NSCH itself (i.e., the

overall response rate for the first stage

of nonresponse) could be considered the

more accurate indicator of potential

nonresponse bias in NSAP.

Tables VI–VIII present a

comparison of NSAP respondents and

nonrespondents on selected NSCH data

elements. All cases completed NSCH;

they are differentiated by whether they

responded in the second stage (i.e.,

whether they responded to NSAP).

Table VI shows child-level demographic

and health characteristics; Table VII

shows household-level socioeconomic

and demographic characteristics; and

Table VIII shows NSCH data elements

that are topically similar to the sorts of

data collected in NSAP. These tables

demonstrate that significant differences

exist between respondents and

nonrespondents on many dimensions.

Nonrespondents were significantly more

likely to represent private domestic

adoptions, older children, and 

non-Hispanic black children (Table VI), 

significantly less likely to represent 

households in the highest income or

education categories or households with

two children (Table VII), and

significantly less likely to represent

households with two adoptive parents or 

parents who usually felt angry with the 

child (Table VIII). In addition to these

statistically significant differences, many

other characteristics showed differences

between respondents and

nonrespondents that are not statistically 

significant but are large enough to 

prompt a question as to the magnitude

of the effect of second-stage

nonresponse on survey estimates. 

Tables IX–XI present estimates for

the final NSAP sample, weighted by the

nonresponse-adjusted sampling weights, 

compared with estimates for the full 

pool of NSCH cases that were eligible

for NSAP (i.e., the NSAP respondents

and nonrespondents combined; the final 

NSAP sample that would have been 

attained if there were no second-stage 

nonresponse). After the weighting

adjustments described in Appendix I,

estimates for the NSAP respondents are
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 147

Table VII. Percentage of children by household socioeconomic and demographic

characteristics for respondents and nonrespondents in NASP

Weighted percent (SE)

NSAP-eligible, NSAP-eligible,

Household-level characteristic nonrespondents respondents

Total household income

Less than $10,000 .................................. 5.2 (2.79) 4.2 (1.35)

$10,000–$19,999 ................................... 7.3 (1.36) 4.9 (0.82)

$20,000–$39,999 ................................... 20.3 (4.67) 13.8 (1.61)

$40,000–$59,000 ................................... 21.9 (4.56) 21.5 (2.42)

$60,000 or more ................................... †45.3 (4.51) †55.6 (2.59)

Highest educational attainment

Less than high school ................................ 10.7 (3.18) 6.8(1.51)

High school or equivalent .............................. †25.6 (4.59) †14.3 (1.47) 

More than high school ................................ †63.7 (4.85) †78.8 (1.98)

Number of adults

One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.1 (4.72) 18.0 (2.04)

Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.4 (4.68) 63.8 (2.54)

Three or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.5 (2.17) 18.2 (2.12)

Number of children

One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.2 (4.58) 34.3 (2.18)

Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . †28.0 (4.02) †38.8 (2.57) 

Three or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.8 (4.69) 26.9 (2.50)

Parent’s marital status

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72.8 (5.21) 76.4 (2.39)

Separated ....................................... 3.4 (2.02) 1.8 (0.52)

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 (2.28) 10.4 (1.97)

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7 (2.80) 2.9 (0.64)

Never married ..................................... 9.6 (4.42) 8.6 (1.50)

Cohabiting ....................................... 4.5 (2.26) 3.0 (1.21)

Primary language in the household

English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95.7 (2.69) 98.1 (1.23)

Not English ...................................... 4.3 (2.69) 1.9 (1.23)

Census region

Northeast........................................ 20.2 (3.31) 18.6 (1.98)

Midwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.3 (3.46) 24.9 (1.78)

South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.5 (4.88) 36.6 (2.54)

West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.0 (3.93) 19.9 (2.34)

MSA status1

In MSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86.1 (2.07) 85.7 (1.16)

Not in MSA ...................................... 13.9 (2.07) 14.3 (1.16)

Sample size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648 2,089

Weight ......................................... NSCH NSCH

† Estimates for respondents and nonrespondents differ at the 0.05 level.

1

MSA is metropolitan statistical area.

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; SE is standard error; NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSCH, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

much closer to the estimates for the full

pool of NSAP-eligible cases, and in

many comparisons are so close that the

remaining difference is negligible.

Although this is to be expected for the

characteristics that were used to adjust

the weights (such as adoption type), it is

also the case for characteristics that

were not directly controlled in the

adjustment of the sampling weights,

presumably because they are related to

the variables that were controlled for in

the weighting adjustment.

The only characteristic that shows a

significant difference in Tables IX–XI is

the percentage of households where the

primary language is not English (the

final NSAP sample underestimates the

proportion of adoptive households where

the primary language is not English by

1.5 percentage points). However, NSAP

eligibility required that the household at

least include an English speaker, and

very few adoptive households (only

2.5% of NSAP-eligible households, as

shown in Table X) have a language

other than English as the primary

language.

Other than the significant difference

found for primary language in the

household, only six other characteristics

in Tables IX–XI showed a difference

between the final NSAP sample and the

full pool of NSAP-eligible cases that

was as high as 2 percentage points: 

+ One child in the household

(2.5 percentage points, overestimated

in the final NSAP file).

+ Three or more children in the

household (3.7 percentage points,

underestimated in the final NSAP

file).

+ One adoptive parent in the

household (2.7 percentage points,

underestimated in the final NSAP

file).

+ Two adoptive parents in the 

household (2.7 percentage points, 

overestimated in the final NSAP

file).

+ The parent copes very well with 

parenting (2.6 percentage points, 

underestimated in the final NSAP

file). 

+ The child sometimes does things 

that bother the parent

(2.3 percentage points, overestimated

in the final NSAP file).

Of all the characteristics examined,

there is a second-stage nonresponse bias

of between 2 and 3 percentage points for

categories of only four variables: the

number of children in the household, the

number of adoptive parents in the

household, how well the parent copes

with parenting, and how often the child

does things that bother the parent.

Although this analysis does not

necessarily demonstrate that no

nonresponse bias derives from

second-stage nonresponse, it strongly

suggests that the overall first-stage

response rate (46.7%) is very likely a

better indicator of the potential

nonresponse bias in NSAP than the final

overall response rate of 34.6%.
Page 148 [ Series 1, No. 50

Table VIII. Percentage of children by NSCH characteristics similar to NSAP data elements

for respondents and nonrespondents in NSAP

Weighted percent (SE)

NSAP-eligible, NSAP-eligible,

Characteristic nonrespondents respondents

Number of adoptive parents in household

One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . †48.5 (5.47) †31.0 (2.47)

Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . †51.5 (5.47) †69.1 (2.47)

Child was born outside the U.S.

Yes ........................................... 22.0 (3.85) 26.6 (2.08)

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78.0 (3.85) 73.4 (2.08)

How well parent and child share ideas and talk

Very well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69.1 (4.54) 61.1 (2.87)

Somewhat well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.8 (4.38) 30.9 (2.57)

Not very well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5 (1.37) 4.7 (1.60)

Not very well at all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 (0.40) 3.3 (1.63)

How well parent copes with parenting

Very well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.3 (4.69) 54.9 (2.55)

Somewhat well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.8 (4.69) 43.1 (2.53)

Not very well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 (0.24) 1.5 (0.54)

Not very well at all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 (0.35) 0.5 (0.28)

How often parent feels the child is

harder to care for than other children

Never .......................................... 49.1 (4.74) 44.2 (2.55)

Rarely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.6 (3.96) 22.3 (2.05)

Sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.3 (2.73) 20.7 (1.98)

Usually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0 (2.86) 8.6 (1.72)

Always ......................................... 7.0 (3.07) 4.3 (1.30)

How often child does things that bother parent

Never .......................................... 24.7 (3.88) 17.0 (1.63)

Rarely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.0 (4.20) 32.7 (2.42)

Sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.7 (4.71) 41.0 (2.53)

Usually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 (2.82) 6.7 (1.51)

Always ......................................... 1.3 (0.52) 2.6 (1.26)

How often parent feels angry with child

Never .......................................... 22.7 (4.29) 17.7 (2.09)

Rarely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.6 (3.93) 36.4 (2.38)

Sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.5 (4.86) 40.3 (2.48)

Usually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . †0.5 (0.25) †2.5 (0.61)

Always ......................................... 1.7 (0.94) 3.1 (1.72)

Sample size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648 2,089

Weight ......................................... NSCH NSCH

† Estimates for respondents and nonrespondents differ at the 0.05 level.

NOTE: NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health; NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; SE is standard error.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSCH, 2007.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 149

Table IX. Percentage of children by demographic and health characteristics in the final

NSAP and for all NSAP-eligible cases

Weighted percent (95% CI)

Child-level characteristic All NSAP-eligible cases Final NSAP data file

Adoption type

International ................................. 24.9 (21.5–28.7) 24.9 (21.9–28.1)

Foster care .................................. 37.1 (32.9–41.5) 37.1 (33.5–40.8)

Private domestic .............................. 38.0 (33.7–42.5) 38.0 (34.5–41.6)

Age 

0–2 years ................................... 5.4 (4.2–6.8) 5.7 (4.5–7.2) 

3–5 years ................................... 13.7 (10.7–17.3) 13.3 (11.1–15.9) 

6–11 years .................................. 39.2 (34.9–43.6) 39.1 (35.5–42.9) 

12–17 years ................................. 41.8 (37.5–46.3) 41.8 (38.2–45.6) 

Sex

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.7 (44.3–53.2) 48.7 (45.0–52.5)

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.3 (46.8–55.7) 51.3 (47.5–55.0)

Race/ethnicity 

Hispanic.................................... 15.3 (12.0–19.3) 15.3 (12.8–18.1) 

Non-Hispanic white ............................. 36.3 (32.4–40.3) 37.3 (33.9–40.7) 

Non-Hispanic black ............................. 23.2 (19.4–27.4) 23.2 (20.0–26.7) 

Non-Hispanic Asian............................. 15.4 (12.5–18.7) 15.4 (12.8–18.3) 

Non-Hispanic other ............................. 9.9 (7.4–13.1) 8.9 (7.1–11.1) 

Overall health 

Excellent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57.3 (52.9–61.7) 57.3 (53.5–61.0) 

Very Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.4 (24.6–32.6) 28.0 (24.6–31.6) 

Good ..................................... 10.2 (7.9–12.9) 11.2 (9.0–13.8) 

Fair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9 (1.7–5.0) 2.9 (1.8–4.6) 

Poor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 (0.3–5.2) 0.7 (0.2–2.2) 

Child has special health care needs

Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.5 (35.2–44.0) 39.4 (35.9–43.0)

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.5 (56.0–64.8) 60.6 (57.0–64.1)

Child received mental health treatment

Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.1 (17.8–24.8) 22.0 (19.1–25.1)

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78.9 (75.2–82.2) 78.1 (74.9–80.9)

Child has health insurance 

Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94.8 (92.5–96.5) 95.2 (93.2–96.6) 

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 (3.6–7.6) 4.8 (3.4–6.8) 

Sample size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,737 2,089 

Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NSCH NSAP 

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; CI is confidence interval; NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSCH, 2007, and NSAP, 2007.
Page 150 [ Series 1, No. 50

Table X. Percentage of children by household socioeconomic and demographic

characteristics in the final NSAP and for all NSAP-eligible cases

Weighted percent (95% CI)

Household-level characteristic All NSAP-eligible cases Final NSAP data file

Total household income 

Less than $10,000 ........................... 4.5 (2.6–7.6) 4.0 (2.7–6.0) 

$10,000–$19,999............................ 5.5 (4.3–7.1) 6.0 (4.4–8.3) 

$20,000–$39,999............................ 15.5 (12.4–19.1) 15.4 (12.8–18.5) 

$40,000–$59,000............................ 21.6 (17.7–26.1) 21.6 (18.5–25.1) 

$60,000 or more ............................ 53.0 (48.5–57.4) 53.0 (49.2–56.6) 

Highest educational attainment

Less than high school ......................... 7.8 (5.5–11.0) 7.7 (5.7–10.3)

High school or equivalent....................... 17.2 (14.2–20.7) 17.4 (14.6–20.5)

More than high school......................... 75.0 (70.9–78.7) 75.0 (71.4–78.2)

Number of adults

One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.3 (15.8–23.4) 17.6 (14.9–20.8)

Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.7 (59.2–67.9) 64.5 (60.8–68.0)

Three or more ............................. 17.0 (14.0–20.6) 17.9 (15.2–20.9)

Number of children 

One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.3 (31.5–39.3) 37.8 (34.5–41.3) 

Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.0 (31.8–40.5) 37.2 (33.6–40.9) 

Three or more ............................. 28.7 (24.5–33.2) 25.0 (21.7–28.7) 

Parent’s marital status 

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.5 (71.0–79.6) 76.8 (73.2–80.0) 

Separated ................................ 2.2 (1.2–3.8) 2.2 (1.3–3.7) 

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5 (6.7–13.1) 9.5 (7.2–12.4) 

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0 (2.6–5.9) 3.2 (2.1–4.8) 

Never married.............................. 8.9 (6.3–12.4) 8.4 (6.5–10.7) 

Cohabiting ................................ 3.4 (1.8–6.2) 2.2 (1.4–3.6) 

Primary language in the household

English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . †97.5 (93.9–99.0) †99.0 (97.7–99.6)

Not English ............................... †2.5 (1.0–6.1) †1.0 (0.4–2.3)

Census region 

Northeast ................................ 19.0 (15.9–22.6) 19.0 (17.1–21.1) 

Midwest ................................. 24.7 (21.7–28.0) 24.7 (22.8–26.8) 

South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.9 (32.6–41.4) 36.9 (34.4–39.4) 

West ................................... 19.4 (15.8–23.7) 19.4 (17.7–21.3) 

MSA status1

In MSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85.8 (83.7–87.7) 85.8 (83.7–87.6) 

Not in MSA ............................... 14.2 (12.4–16.3) 14.2 (12.4–16.3) 

Sample size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,737 2,089 

Weight .................................. NSCH NSAP 

† Estimates for NSAP final data and NSAP-eligible cases differ at the 0.05 level.

1

MSA is metropolitan statistical area.

NOTE: NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; CI is confidence interval; NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSCH, 2007, and NSAP, 2007.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 151

Table XI. Percentage of children by NSCH characteristics similar to NSAP data elements in

the final NSAP and for all NSAP-eligible cases

Weighted percent (95% CI)

Characteristic All NSAP-eligible cases Final NSAP data file

Number of adoptive parents in household

One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.1 (30.6–39.9) 32.4 (28.8–36.3) 

Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.9 (60.1–69.4) 67.6 (63.7–71.2) 

Child was born outside the U.S.

Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.4 (22.0–29.2) 25.6 (22.6–28.9) 

No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.6 (70.8–78.0) 74.4 (71.1–77.4) 

How well parent and child share ideas and talk

Very well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.3 (58.3–68.0) 62.4 (58.2–66.4) 

Somewhat well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30.1 (25.9–34.6) 31.5 (27.8–35.5) 

Not very well .............................. 4.1 (2.3–7.3) 3.8 (2.6–5.5) 

Not very well at all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 (1.0–6.3) 2.3 (1.2–4.6) 

How well parent copes with parenting

Very well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.8 (51.3–60.1) 53.2 (49.5–56.9) 

Somewhat well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.5 (38.2–46.9) 44.4 (40.7–48.1) 

Not very well .............................. 1.2 (0.6–2.4) 1.6 (0.9–2.9) 

Not very well at all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 (0.2–1.2) 0.8 (0.3–2.2) 

How often parent feels the child is 

harder to care for than other children 

Never ................................... 45.4 (41.1–49.9) 44.3 (40.6–48.0) 

Rarely .................................. 21.7 (18.3–25.5) 23.1 (20.0–26.5) 

Sometimes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.1 (17.0–23.5) 21.6 (18.7–24.8) 

Usually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.9 (5.5–11.3) 6.9 (5.2–9.2) 

Always . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0 (3.0–8.1) 4.1 (2.9–5.9) 

How often child does things that bother the parent

Never ................................... 19.0 (16.1–22.2) 18.6 (16.1–21.5) 

Rarely .................................. 31.8 (27.8–36.0) 31.1 (27.9–34.6) 

Sometimes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.2 (35.9–44.6) 42.5 (38.8–46.2) 

Usually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8 (4.6–10.0) 6.0 (4.5–7.9) 

Always . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 (1.0–5.1) 1.8 (1.0–3.3) 

How often parent feels angry with child

Never ................................... 19.0 (15.5–23.0) 17.3 (14.6–20.4) 

Rarely .................................. 35.7 (31.8–39.8) 37.1 (33.8–40.6) 

Sometimes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.6 (36.3–45.1) 41.5 (37.9–45.2) 

Usually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 (1.2–3.1) 2.6 (1.7–3.8) 

Always . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 (1.1–6.9) 1.5 (0.7–3.3) 

Sample size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,737 2,089 

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NSCH NSAP 

NOTE: NSCH is National Survey of Children’s Health; NSAP is National Survey of Adoptive Parents; CI is confidence interval.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, NSCH, 2007, and NSAP, 2007.
Page 152 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix X 

Coding of Verbatim

Answers Into Question

Responses

For many questions in the National

Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP)

interview, respondents provided a

response that did not match any

preexisting category. If this occurred,

the interviewer chose ‘‘other’’ and typed

in the response provided by the

respondent. After the end of the data

collection period, verbatim responses

were recoded into existing response

categories where appropriate.

There were three ways in which

verbatim responses were used to recode

or back-code data:

+	 Some verbatim responses were

back-coded to existing response

categories on preceding questions.

+	 Some verbatim responses were used

to create new response categories

for preceding questions, which are

indicated by new dummy variables.

+	 Some verbatim responses were used

to create new variables to capture

the data because no root question

existed for which to create new

categories or back-code verbatim

responses into preexisting categories.

Any existing variable that was

recoded or back-coded based on a

verbatim response had the letter ‘‘R’’

appended to the variable name to denote

‘‘recoded version’’ of the variable.

Verbatim responses were used to

back-code ‘‘other’’ into preexisting

categories for the following variables:

+	 C2_N asked where the child lived

prior to placement with the family,

and ‘‘other’’ responses were

recorded verbatim in C2A. Verbatim

responses were used to change a

few cases of ‘‘other’’ to one of the

preexisting codes on C2_NR.

+	 C12A–C12F asked if a list of items

were reasons why the respondent

chose to adopt. C12G asked if there

were any other reasons, and C12GA

recorded the reason verbatim.

Verbatim responses were used to

change ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘yes’’ for a few

cases each on C12AR, C12CR,

C12ER, and C12FR.

+ C22A–C22H asked if a list of items

were reasons why the respondent

chose to adopt through a private

domestic adoption. C22I asked if

there were any other reasons, and

C22IA recorded the reason verbatim.

C22A–C22H and C22IA were each

followed by a question that asked if

the reason was very important,

somewhat important, or not

important. Verbatim responses were

used to change ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘yes’’ for a

few cases each on C22AR, C22ER,

and C22GR, and in each case the

value for the importance follow-up

C22IA was assigned as appropriate

to C22AAR, C22EAR, and

C22GAR.

+ C23A_N–C23K asked if a list of

items were reasons why the

respondent chose to adopt through

an international adoption. C23L

asked if there were any other

reasons, and C23LA recorded the

reason verbatim. C23A_N–C23K

and C23LA were each followed by a

question that asked if the reason was

very important, somewhat important,

or not important. Verbatim responses

were used to change ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘yes’’

for a few cases each on C23A_NR,

C23DR, C23ER, C23FR, C23GR,

C23HR, and C23IR, and in each

case the value for the importance

follow-up C23LB was assigned as

appropriate to C23AAR, C23DAR,

C23EAR, C23FAR, C23GAR,

C23HAR, and C23IAR.

+ C24A–C24E asked if a list of items

were reasons why the respondent

chose to adopt through the U.S.

foster care system. C24F asked if

there were any other reasons, and

C24FA recorded the reason

verbatim. C24A–C24E and C24FA

were each followed by a question

that asked if the reason was very

important, somewhat important, or

not important. Verbatim responses

were used to change ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘yes’’

for a few cases each on C24BR,

C24DR, and C24ER, and in each

case the value for the importance

follow-up C24FAA was assigned as

appropriate to C24BAR, C24DAR,

and C24EAR.

+ F6A–F6C asked if a list of items

were reasons why the respondent

requested a subsidy. F6D asked if

there were any other reasons, and

F6DA recorded the reason verbatim.

Verbatim responses were used to

change ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘yes’’ for a few

cases on F6AR.

+ N1D, N2D, N3D, N5F, N6D, N7D,

N9D, N10D, N11D, N12D, N14D,

and N18D asked why the respondent

or respondent’s child did not receive

a particular postadoption support or

service. Multiple answers were

possible, and the answers were

recorded in dummy variables.

Verbatim responses were used to

change ‘‘other’’ to one of the

preexisting codes for a few cases on

each the following dummy

variables: N1DX01R, N1DX02R,

N1DX05R, N2DX01R, N2DX02R,

N3DX03R, N3DX04R, N5FX01R,

N5FX02R, N5FX03R, N6DX01R,

N6DX02R, N6DX03R, N6DX04R,

N6DX06R, N7DX01R, N7DX02R,

N7DX05R, N7DX06R, N9DX01R,

N9DX02R, N9DX04R, N9DX05R,

N10DX01R, N10DX02R,

N10DX03R, N10DX04R,

N10DX05R, N11DX01R,

N11DX02R, N11DX04R,

N12DX01R, N12DX02R,

N12DX04R, N12DX05R,

N14DX02R, N18DX01R,

N18DX02R, and N18DX03R.

+ N3B, N5D, N6B, N7B, N9B,

N10BB, N11B, and N12B asked

how the respondent heard about

particular postadoption supports and

services. Multiple answers were

possible, and the answers were

recorded in dummy variables.

Verbatim responses were used to

change ‘‘other’’ to one of the

preexisting codes for a few cases on

each the following dummy

variables: N3BX02R, N5DX01R,

N5DX02R, N6BX03R, N6BX04R,

N7BX01R, N9BX01R,

N10BBX01R, N11BX01R, and

N12BX01R.

+ N21A and N22A asked the

respondent who helped them assist

or recruit other adoptive families.
Series 1, No. 50 [ Page 153

Verbatim responses were used to

change ‘‘other’’ to one of the

preexisting codes for a few cases on

N21AR and N22AR.

+	 N26 and N27 asked the respondent’s

and respondent’s spouse’s or

partner’s employment status the

previous week. Verbatim responses

were used to change ‘‘other’’ to one

of the preexisting codes for a few

cases on N26R and N27R.

Verbatim responses were used to

create new response categories for the

following variables:

+	 F10A asked for other reasons why

the family didn’t receive an

adoption subsidy. Some ‘‘other’’

responses are put into a new

category on F10R indicating that the

subsidy was not available.

+	 N1DA, N2DA, N3DA, N5FA,

N6DA, N7DA, N8DA, N9DA,

N10DA, N11DA, N12DA, N14DA,

and N18DA asked for other reasons

why the respondent or respondent’s

child did not receive a particular

postadoption support or service. For

each question, some ‘‘other:

verbatim’’ responses have been

back-coded into new categories: one

that combines responses such as

‘‘distance’’ and ‘‘transportation

issues,’’ another that combines

responses such as ‘‘time’’ and

‘‘scheduling difficulties,’’ another

that combines responses that

indicate that the child’s condition or

behavior prevented the family from

receiving the service, and another

that combined responses such as ‘‘it

wasn’t needed,’’ ‘‘a family member

refused,’’ and ‘‘we didn’t follow

through with it.’’ All these variables

were assigned the new code ‘‘no

need/someone refused/no

follow-through’’ and none of these

variables were assigned more than

two new codes in total. The new

response categories are captured by

the dummy variables N1DA_1,

N1DA_2, N2DA_1, N2DA_2,

N3DA_1, N3DA_2, N5FA_1,

N6DA_1, N7DA_1, N8DA_1,

N9DA_1, N10DA_1, N11DA_1,

N12DA_1, N14DA_1, N18DA_1,

and N18DA_2.

+	 N2BAA, N3BA, N5DA, N6BA,

N7BA, N8BA, N9BA, N10BA,

N11BA, N12BA, N14BBA, and

N18BA asked for other sources from

which the respondent heard about

particular postadoption supports and

services. For each question, some

‘‘other: verbatim’’ responses have

been back-coded into two new

categories: one that combines

responses such as ‘‘friends,’’

‘‘acquaintances,’’ ‘‘church,’’ and

‘‘word of mouth’’; and another that

combines responses such as

‘‘clinic,’’ ‘‘hospital,’’ and others as

‘‘other service providers.’’ The new

response categories are captured by

the dummy variables N2BAA_1,

N2BAA_2, N3BA_1, N3BA_2,

N5DA_1, N5DA_2, N6BA_1,

N6BA_2, N7BA_1, N7BA_2,

N8BA_1, N9BA_1, N9BA_2,

N10BA_1, N10BA_2, N11BA_1,

N11BA_2, N12BA_1, N12BA_2,

N14BBA_1, N14BBA_2, N18BA_1,

and N18BA_2.

+	 N21AA and N22AA asked the

respondent for other sources that

helped them assist or recruit other

adoptive families. A new category

was created for these variables that

groups together responses such as

‘‘social services,’’ ‘‘other public

agency,’’ and ‘‘nongovernmental

organization.’’ The new response

categories are captured by the

dummy variables N21AA_1 and

N22AA_1.

Verbatim responses were used to

create new variables for the following

situations:

+	 C12GA asked for other reasons why

the respondent chose to adopt. New

variable C12GA_1 indicates that the

respondent had formed a bond or

already loved the child prior to

adoption. C12GA_2 indicates that

the child was a relative’s or friend’s

child prior to the adoption.

C12GA_3 indicates a general

statement such as ‘‘I love children.’’

C12GA_4 indicates that the

respondent wanted to help the child

avoid going to foster care.

+	 C22IA, C23LA, and C24FA asked

for other reasons why the

respondent chose the specific type

of adoption he or she did (private

domestic, international, or foster

care). New variable C22IA_1

indicates responses such as

convenience or a desire to help

American children. C22IA_2

indicates responses such as lower

cost or less risk. C22IA_3 indicates

responses such as wanting an open

adoption or knowing the child prior

to adoption. C22IA_4 indicates

responses such as familiarity with

that agency. C23LA_1 indicates

responses such as wanting a Chinese

girl. C23LA_2 indicates responses

such as wanting to bring a child to

the United States. C23LA_3

indicates responses such as seeing a

great need in that country. C23LA_4

indicates responses such as not

qualifying for a U.S. adoption

because of single-parent status.

C23LA_5 indicates responses such

as having friends that adopted that

way. C23LA_6 indicates responses

such as the child having the same

race/ethnicity or national origin as

the adoptive family. C24FA_1

indicates responses such as wanting

to give a home to a child who really

needed one.

+	 C23IAA asked why the respondent

felt that a U.S. adoption would not

be the best option. New variable

C23IAAR has three categories

created from verbatim responses

such as ‘‘legal issues/fear of birth

parents changing their minds,’’ ‘‘race

or age considerations,’’ or ‘‘drug

abuse/special needs considerations.’’

+	 F6DA asked the respondent for other

reasons why he or she requested an

adoption subsidy. New variable

F6DA_1 indicates one category created

from verbatim responses such as

‘‘because they could always use extra

income’’ or ‘‘because it was available.’’

+	 F16EA, F17EA, and F18EA asked

if there was any other source

helping to pay for services. New

variables F16EA_1 and F16EA_2

indicate answers of ‘‘insurance

(other than Medicaid)’’ and

‘‘school.’’ F17EA_1 and F17EA_2

indicate answers of ‘‘insurance’’

and ‘‘Medicaid.’’ F18EA_1 and

F18EA_2 indicate answers of

‘‘insurance’’ and ‘‘Medicaid.’’
Page 154 [ Series 1, No. 50

Appendix XI

Percentage Estimates and

Weighted Frequencies by

Type of Adoption

This appendix consists of Table XII.

Table XII. Unweighted and weighted estimates of the frequency and percentage of children

by type of adoption

Type of adoption

Total

unweighted

number of

children

Weighted estimate

Total SE

Weighted percent

Total SE

Total ............................ 2,089 1,782,025 45,624.9 100.0 . . .

International........................

Foster care ........................

Private domestic .....................

545

763

781

444,014

660,846

677,165

29,985.7

38,627.9

36,613.2

24.9

37.1

38.0

1.61

1.87

1.83

. . . Category not applicable.

NOTE: SE is standard error.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Adoptive Parents, 2007.
Vital and Health Statistics

Series Descriptions

ACTIVE SERIES

Series 1.	 Programs and Collection Procedures—This type of report

describes the data collection programs of the National Center

for Health Statistics. Series 1 includes descriptions of the

methods used to collect and process the data, definitions, and

other material necessary for understanding the data.

Series 2.	 Data Evaluation and Methods Research—This type of

report concerns statistical methods and includes analytical

techniques, objective evaluations of reliability of collected

data, and contributions to statistical theory. Also included are

experimental tests of new survey methods, comparisons of

U.S. methodologies with those of other countries, and as of

2009, studies of cognition and survey measurement, and final

reports of major committees concerning vital and health

statistics measurement and methods.

Series 3.	 Analytical and Epidemiological Studies—This type of

report presents analytical or interpretive studies based on vital

and health statistics. As of 2009, Series 3 also includes

studies based on surveys that are not part of continuing data

systems of the National Center for Health Statistics and

international vital and health statistics reports.

Series 10.	 Data From the National Health Interview Survey—This

type of report contains statistics on illness; unintentional

injuries; disability; use of hospital, medical, and other health

services; and a wide range of special current health topics

covering many aspects of health behaviors, health status, and

health care utilization. Series 10 is based on data collected in

this continuing national household interview survey.

Series 11.	 Data From the National Health Examination Survey, the

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, and

the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey—

In this type of report, data from direct examination, testing,

and measurement on representative samples of the civilian

noninstitutionalized population provide the basis for (1)

medically defined total prevalence of specific diseases or

conditions in the United States and the distributions of the

population with respect to physical, physiological, and

psychological characteristics, and (2) analyses of trends and

relationships among various measurements and between

survey periods.

Series 13.	 Data From the National Health Care Survey—This type of

report contains statistics on health resources and the public’s

use of health care resources including ambulatory, hospital,

and long-term care services based on data collected directly

from health care providers and provider records.

Series 20.	 Data on Mortality—This type of report contains statistics on

mortality that are not included in regular, annual, or monthly

reports. Special analyses by cause of death, age, other

demographic variables, and geographic and trend analyses

are included.

Series 21.	 Data on Natality, Marriage, and Divorce—This type of

report contains statistics on natality, marriage, and divorce

that are not included in regular, annual, or monthly reports.

Special analyses by health and demographic variables and

geographic and trend analyses are included.

Series 23.	 Data From the National Survey of Family Growth—These

reports contain statistics on factors that affect birth rates,

including contraception and infertility; factors affecting the

formation and dissolution of families, including cohabitation,

marriage, divorce, and remarriage; and behavior related to

the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

These statistics are based on national surveys of women and

men of childbearing age.

DISCONTINUED SERIES

Series 4.	 Documents and Committee Reports—These are final

reports of major committees concerned with vital and health

statistics and documents. The last Series 4 report was

published in 2002. As of 2009, this type of report is included

in Series 2 or another appropriate series, depending on the

report topic.

Series 5.	 International Vital and Health Statistics Reports—This

type of report compares U.S. vital and health statistics with

those of other countries or presents other international data of

relevance to the health statistics system of the United States.

The last Series 5 report was published in 2003. As of 2009,

this type of report is included in Series 3 or another series,

depending on the report topic.

Series 6.	 Cognition and Survey Measurement—This type of report

uses methods of cognitive science to design, evaluate, and

test survey instruments. The last Series 6 report was

published in 1999. As of 2009, this type of report is included

in Series 2.

Series 12.	 Data From the Institutionalized Population Surveys—

The last Series 12 report was published in 1974. Reports

from these surveys are included in Series 13.

Series 14.	 Data on Health Resources: Manpower and Facilities—

The last Series 14 report was published in 1989. Reports on

health resources are included in Series 13.

Series 15.	 Data From Special Surveys—This type of report contains

statistics on health and health-related topics collected in

special surveys that are not part of the continuing data

systems of the National Center for Health Statistics. The last

Series 15 report was published in 2002. As of 2009, reports

based on these surveys are included in Series 3.

Series 16.	 Compilations of Advance Data From Vital and Health

Statistics—The last Series 16 report was published in 1996.

All reports are available online, and so compilations of

Advance Data reports are no longer needed.

Series 22.	 Data From the National Mortality and Natality Surveys—

The last Series 22 report was published in 1973. Reports

from these sample surveys, based on vital records, are

published in Series 20 or 21.

Series 24.	 Compilations of Data on Natality, Mortality, Marriage, and

Divorce—The last Series 24 report was published in 1996.

All reports are available online, and so compilations of reports

are no longer needed.

For answers to questions about this report or for a list of reports published

in these series, contact:

Information Dissemination Staff

National Center for Health Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3311 Toledo Road, Room 5412

Hyattsville, MD 20782

1–800–232–4636

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs
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