British Household Panel Survey (BHPS)

All Datasets All Measures

Measures describe a question asked to a participant during a survey or an item of information requested from a manager when they fill out a data return. For example, ‘Who do you live with?’ is a measure and the possible responses might be, mother, father, brother, sister etc.

Need/provision/receipt	Description of measure	Start Year	Age range	Age from	Age to	Informant	Multiple rater	Reporting term	Sweep title	Standard instrument	Question/Data item	Response scale	Physical health measures	Dataset
Need;	ADLs - walking down road	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Past year	Wave 18	No	Here is a list of some health and welfare services. Have you yourself made use of any of these services since September 1st 2007?	Health visitor, district nurse. Home-help. Meals on wheels .. Social worker or welfare officer. Chiropodist Alternative medical practitioner (e.g. homeopath, osteopath) Psychotherapist (including psychiatrist or analyst) . Speech therapist or occupational therapist Physiotherapist. Hospital consultant/outpatients.. Family planning clinic. Any other health or welfare services?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Receipt;	Disability benefits	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Can I just check, do you currently receive disability benefits of any kind? Which ones do you receive?	Part 1: Yes No Part 2: Severe Disablement Allowance. Industrial Injury Disablement Allowance Disability Living Allowance / Care Component Disability Living Allowance / Mobility Component Disability Living Allowance / Components not known Attendance Allowance Carer’s Allowance (formerly Invalid Care Allowance) War Disability Pension. Incapacity Benefit	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Provision;	Caring responsibilities - hours per week	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	In total, how many hours do you spend each week looking after or helping (him/her/them)?	0 – 4 hours per week 5 – 9 hours per week . 10-19 hours per week . 20-34 hours per week . 35-49 hours per week . 50-99 hours per week 100 or more hours per week/ continuous care .. Varies under 20 hours . Varies 20 hours or more . Other (SPECIFY) Don’t know	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Provision;	Caring responsibilities - inside or outside household?	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Does respondent look after or provide any regular care for anyone inside or outside the household?	Yes No	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Provision;	Caring responsibilities - who	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Who is it that you look after or help?	Parent/parent-in-law. Grandparent Aunt/uncle Otherrelative(SPECIFY) Friend or neighbour Client(s) of voluntary organisation .. Other (SPECIFY)	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Provision;	Giving help to non-household members	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you provide some regular service or help for any sick, disabled or elderly person not living with you? EXCLUDE HELP PROVIDED IN COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT Is that one person or more than one? IF MORE THAN ONE PROBE HOW MANY	Part 1: Yes No Part 2: ENTER NUMBER CARED FOR	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Provision;	Giving help to household members	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Is there anyone living with you who is sick, disabled or elderly whom you look after or give special help to (for example, a sick, disabled or elderly relative/husband/wife/friend, etc)?	Yes No Other (SPECIFY)	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Receipt;	Use of services - service type and payment	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Thinking about the (SERVICE AT M29) was this from the NHS or social services, or was it from a private or voluntary agency? Was it all free or did you have to pay anything for this?	Part 1: NHS/SSD Private/Voluntary Both Don’t know Part 2: Free Paid Both	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Receipt;	Use of services	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Which services have you used?	Health visitor, district nurse. Home-help. Meals on wheels .. Social worker or welfare officer. Chiropodist Alternative medical practitioner (e.g. homeopath, osteopath) Psychotherapist (including psychiatrist or analyst) . Speech therapist or occupational therapist Physiotherapist. Hospital consultant/outpatients.. Family planning clinic. Any other health or welfare services?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Receipt;	Accommodation - inc. institutional accom	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	What type of accommodation does household live in?	Detachedhouse/bungalow Semi-detachedhouse/bungalow End terraced house/bungalow Terraced house/bungalow Purpose built flat/maisonette (under 10 dwellings) Purpose built flat/maisonette (10+ dwellings) Converted flat/maisonette (under 10 dwellings) Converted flat/maisonette (10+ dwellings) Dwelling with business premises Bedsitter in multiple occupation (under 10 dwellings) Bedsitter in multiple occupat Shelteredaccommodation Institutional accommodation	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - walking down road	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you usually manage to go out of doors and walk down the road Do you find it very easy, fairly easy, fairly difficult or very difficult to do this on your own?	Part 1: On your own Only with help from someone else. or Not at all? Part 2: Very easy Fairly easy Fairly difficult or Very difficult?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - bathing and showering	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you usually manage to bath, shower or wash all over Do you find it very easy, fairly easy, fairly difficult or very difficult to do this on your own?	Part 1: On your own Only with help from someone else. or Not at all? Part 2: Very easy Fairly easy Fairly difficult or Very difficult?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - cutting toenails	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you usually manage to cut your toenails Do you find it very easy, fairly easy, fairly difficult or very difficult to do this on your own?	Part 1: On your own Only with help from someone else. or Not at all? Part 2: Very easy Fairly easy Fairly difficult or Very difficult?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - getting in and out of bed	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you usually manage to get in and out of bed.. Do you find it very easy, fairly easy, fairly difficult or very difficult to do this on your own?	Part 1: On your own Only with help from someone else. or Not at all? Part 2: Very easy Fairly easy Fairly difficult or Very difficult?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - getting around house	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you usually manage to get around the house (except for any stairs) Do you find it very easy, fairly easy, fairly difficult or very difficult to do this on your own?	Part 1: On your own Only with help from someone else. or Not at all? Part 2: Very easy Fairly easy Fairly difficult or Very difficult?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - stairs	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Do you usually manage to get up and down stairs or steps Do you find it very easy, fairly easy, fairly difficult or very difficult to do this on your own?	Part 1: On your own Only with help from someone else. or Not at all? Part 2: Very easy Fairly easy Fairly difficult or Very difficult?	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS
Need;	ADLs - ability to complete	2008	16-120	16	120	Participant	Yes	Current	Wave 18	No	Please look at this card and tell me which of these activities, if any, you would normally find difficult to manage on your own?	Doing the housework Climbing stairs Dressing yourself Walking for at least 10 minutes. (None of these) .	Problems or disability connected with: arms, legs, hands, feet back, or neck (including arthritis and rheumatism) Difficulty in seeing (other than needing glasses to read normal size print). Difficulty in hearing Skin conditions/allergies Chest/breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis Heart/high blood pressure or blood circulation problems Stomach/liver/kidneys or digestive problems Diabetes Anxiety, depression or bad nerves, psychiatric problems Alcohol or drug related problems Epilepsy. Migraine or frequent headaches Cancer Stroke Other health problems (PLEASE GIVE DETAILS).	BHPS

Aims

The British Household Panel Survey began in 1991 and was a multi-purpose study whose unique value resided in the fact that it followed the same representative sample of individuals over a period of years. Sampling was by household and every adult member within each sampled household was interviewed. The main objective of the BHPS was to further the understanding of social and economic change at the individual and household level in Britain. It was discontinued in 2007 though some sample members were recruited to become sample members in the UK Household Longitudinal Survey (Understanding Society).

Institution

Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex

Geographic coverage - Nations

England; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Wales;

Start date

1991

Minimum age at recruitment

Sample Size

6,700

Sample

Study design

Household panel survey

Sample details

The wave 1 panel consisted of some 5,500 households and 10,300 individuals drawn from 250 areas of Great Britain. Additional samples of 1,500 households in each of Scotland and Wales were added to the main sample in 1999, and in 2001 a sample of 2,000 households was added in Northern Ireland, making the panel suitable for UK-wide research. BHPS participants were asked if they would consider joining the new, larger and more wide-ranging survey Understanding Society. Almost 6,700 of just over 8,000 BHPS participants invited to join did so.

Sex

All

Sample Characteristics

Household panel

Sample size at most recent sweep

6,700 (before transfer to Understanding Society)

Data Access

https://ukdataservice.ac.uk

Complementary Data

Genetic Data Collected

Linked Data

HDR UK Innovation Gateway

Website

www.iser.essex.ac.uk/bhps

Notes

Related Measures

Benefits, Education, Ethnicity and race, Faith/religion, Household composition, Housing, Income/household income, Loneliness and social isolation, Migration and immigration, Neighbourhood and community, Parenting and family, Pensions, Physical health assessment, Political and social attitudes, Pollution, Social security, Social support, Socioeconomic status and deprivation, Work and employment,

Study Code

BHPS

Reference paper(s)

https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/research/publications/5473240

Funders

Economic and Social Research Council

Catalogue of Social Care Data

UNITING SOCIAL CARE DATA

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