# Linking mother and youth observations in MEPS

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/linking-mother-and-youth-observations-in-meps/3154>\
**Category:** HEALTH SURVEYS\
**Created:** [August 26, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/linking-mother-and-youth-observations-in-meps/3154 "2019-08-26T16:56:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cinthya\_Alberto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cinthya\_Alberto](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Cinthya_Alberto)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/linking-mother-and-youth-observations-in-meps/3154/1 "2019-08-26T16:56:30Z")

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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

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**Author:** ![Matthew\_Bombyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Matthew\_Bombyk](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Matthew_Bombyk)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/linking-mother-and-youth-observations-in-meps/3154/2 "2019-08-27T13:24:10Z")

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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](https://nhis.ipums.org/nhis-action/variables/MOMLOC#description_section). Please review the description of that variable as well as [MOMRULE](https://nhis.ipums.org/nhis-action/variables/MOMRULE#description_section). These variables use information from [RELATE](https://nhis.ipums.org/nhis-action/variables/RELATE#codes_section) along with AGE and MARSTAT to construct probable mother-child links. You can attempt to apply a similar rule for MEPS.