Linking mother and youth observations in MEPS

HEALTH SURVEYS
1

Hi,

I wanted to know if there is a clear way to link maternal responses (e.g., demographics) to youth responses in MEPS?

I know IPUMS NHIS allows us to attach parental characteristics but I do not see the same option in IPUMS MEPS. If this is not available, is there a way that one could create maternal/youth dyad samples.

Thank you,
Cinthya

2

This capability is not part of IPUMS-MEPS at this time. The capability to attach maternal characteristics in IPUMS-NHIS is achieved through the constructed IPUMS variable MOMLOC. Please review the description of that variable as well as MOMRULE. These variables use information from RELATE along with AGE and MARSTAT to construct probable mother-child links. You can attempt to apply a similar rule for MEPS.