Prospective study of 500 second graders
Published: 1965
Language: eng
Format: computer file
Subjects: Hyperactive children; Education; Longitudinal studies; Psychology
Description: This longitudinal study examined the stability, prevalence and predictive power of hyperkinetic types of behaviors, as well as the long-term outcomes of hyperkinetic children as compared to non-hyperkinetic children regarding academic achievement, employment, and social-interpersonal development.

The sample consisted of 500 children enrolled in the second grade in 1965 with an even gender distribution. All came from a small town in rural Vermont. The subjects comprised two subsamples: children exhibiting hyperkinetic behaviors (although not formally diagnosed with hyperkinesis) and children presenting no hyperkinetic behaviors.

Measures in the study included the Huessy-Marshall Teacher Rating Scale (used in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades) and a review of school records (during the student's 9th and 12th grades) to assess activity level, attention span, learning & related problems (Huessy scale at 2nd, 4th, & 5th grade); grade point averages; academic achievement in English, mathematics, science and social studies; as well as general achievement scores, level of intelligence, and social adjustment (school records in 9th & 12th grade). A structured interview was also used (at the age 21 follow-up) to assess such factors as educational background, employment history, marital status, self-perception, medical history, family backgound, military service, interactions with police and other authorities, drug use, and satisfation with life.

The Murray Center has computer data from all six waves. Follow-up is possible with the permission of the researcher.
Notes: Sample characteristics: sample size: 101-500; time: 60s, 70s; race: White; age: 6-12, 13-17, 18-22; number of generations: 1; gender: female, male; ses: working, poverty.

Data collection methods: design: longitudinal, field study; length of data collection: 11-20 years; measures: institutional records, interview, behavioral observations, questionnaire.

Follow-up possible: yes; follow-up available: no.