DOI: 10.3886/icpsr35486.v1
title: Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS): Wave 5, 2011
title: Version 1

description: These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed. This study explores the relationship qualities and the subjective meanings that motivate adolescent behavior. More specifically, this study seeks to examine the nature and meaning of adolescent relationship experiences (e.g., with family, peers, and dating partners) in an effort to discover how experiences associated with age, gender, race, and ethnicity influence the meaning of dating relationships. The study further investigates the relative impact of dating partners and peers on sexual behavior and contraceptive practices, as well as involvement in other problem behaviors that can contribute independently to sexual risk taking. The longitudinal design of the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS) includes a schedule of follow-up interviews occurring one, three, and five years after the initial interview. Four prior waves of data have been collected (2001, 2002, 2004, and 2006). Data were collected from adolescent respondents through structured in-home interviews utilizing laptop computers. In addition, the fifth wave, conducted in 2011 when the participants were young adults, builds on prior waves by adding quantitative and qualitative assessments of intimate partner violence (IPV).
description: The purpose of the study was to describe the demographic patterning of physical perpetration and victimization, psychological abuse, and sexual coercion; to explore similarities and differences in the nature, qualities and dynamics within violent and non-violent relationships; and to investigate the situational contexts of violence by analyzing the progression of abuse within particular relationships.
description: The research design builds on the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS), a 4-wave multi-method, longitudinal investigation of teen dating and sexual relationships, including information about physical violence, psychological abuse and sexual coercion (perpetration and victimization) gathered at each wave. In the fifth wave the interviews were conducted largely in person (71.6%) and on-line. For in-person interviews data were entered directly into a laptop computer, first by the interviewer, and subsequently by respondents, who entered all personal responses directly, to ensure privacy.
description: TARS Wave 5 (n=1,021; 1,837 variables) includes variables in the following categories: Background School Household roster Marriage Cohabitation Work Parent Friends Self and behavior Dating and intimacy Romantic relationship partner No romantic relationship partner Relationship violence Sexual history Non-romantic relationship sex Pregnancy history Parenting Health and risky behavior Criminal history Religion and spirituality See the TARS Wave 5 questionnaire (included in study documentation) for more details.
description: Three weight variables are included: WT_W5, WT_W1W5, and WT_W1W2W5.
description: Response Rates: 1,021 respondents participated in the fifth wave of data collection, 77.6% of the original sample (n=1,316 at the first wave).
description: The sampling frame was derived from public and private school enrollment records in Lucas County, Ohio. School attendance, however, was not a requirement for inclusion. A stratified, random sample (n=1,316) was then drawn from all 7th, 9th, and 11th grade youth residing in Lucas County in the fall of 2000. 1,021 of these respondents (77.6%) participated in the fifth wave of data collection.
description: Datasets: DS1: Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS): Wave 5, 2011
description: Young adults who were in the 7th, 9th, and 11th grade in Lucas County, Ohio during the 2000-2001 school year. Smallest Geographic Unit: county
description: computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI); computer-assisted self interview (CASI); face-to-face interviewThese data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.Qualitative data are not available as part of the data collection.Some documentation may reflect a previous version of the PI list. Updated documentation is forthcoming. Please refer to this study homepage for the latest citation information.