DRAFT ABSTAIN OMB Package (4-24-07)

OMB Supporting
Statement

Public Knowledge of
Abstinence and
Abstinence Education

Contract
#04ACFIA33

April 11, 2007

Prepared for
Ms. Claire Haven, GTM
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services/ACF
Portals Building, Suite 800
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Abt Associates Inc.
55 Wheeler Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-1168

Prepared by
Abt Associates Inc.

Contents
Part A: Justification ............................................................................................................................ 1
A.1 Circumstances of Information Collection.......................................................................... 1
A.2 How, by Whom, and for What Purposes is the Information to be Used?.......................... 1
A.3 Use of Automated, Electronic, Mechanical, or Other Technological Collection
Techniques ................................................................................................................................... 2
A.4 Efforts to Avoid Duplication ............................................................................................. 2
A.5 Minimizing Impact on Small Businesses and Other Small Entities .................................. 3
A.6 Consequences of Less Frequent Data Collection .............................................................. 3
A.7 Special Data Collection Circumstances............................................................................. 3
A.8 Consultation Outside the Agency ...................................................................................... 3
A.9 Remuneration to Respondents ........................................................................................... 3
A.10
Confidentiality ........................................................................................................ 3
A.11
Questions of a Sensitive Nature .............................................................................. 5
A.12
Estimate of Annualized Burden Hours.................................................................... 5
A.13
Estimated Costs to Respondents or Record Keepers .............................................. 6
A.14
Estimated Cost to the Federal Government............................................................. 6
A.15
Changes in Burden .................................................................................................. 6
A.16
Tabulation and Publication Plans and Time Schedule for the Project .................... 6
A.17
Display of Expiration Date...................................................................................... 7
A.18
Exceptions to Certification Statement..................................................................... 7
Part B: Statistical Methods................................................................................................................. 1
B.1 Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods................................................................... 1
B.2 Information Collection Procedures.................................................................................... 2
B2.1
Statistical Methodology for Stratification and Sample Selection ........................ 2
B2.2
Estimation Procedure........................................................................................... 4
B2.3
Degree of Accuracy ............................................................................................. 4
B2.4
Unusual Problems Requiring Specialized Sampling Procedures......................... 6
B2.5
Use of Periodic Data Collection Cycles to Reduce Burden................................. 6
B.3 Methods to Maximize Response Rates.............................................................................. 6
B.4 Tests of Procedures or Methods ........................................................................................ 8
Cognitive Interviewing ...................................................................................................... 8
Pretesting ........................................................................................................................... 9
B.5 Statistical Consultation and Information Collection Agents ............................................. 9
Appendix A:
Appendix B:
Appendix C:
Appendix D:
Appendix E:
Appendix F:
Appendix G:

Item-by-Item Justification of Surveys
Household Screener
Parent Interview
Adolescent Interview
60-day Notice
Comments in Response to Federal Register Notice
Advance Letter with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Abt Associates Inc.

Contents

i

Part A: Justification
A.1

Circumstances of Information Collection

In support of the goal to prevent unwed childbearing, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases,
Congress has recently authorized historic funding increases to support abstinence education. With
this influx of resources, government policymakers need to ensure that these targeted programs inform
the general public about the importance of abstinence. To learn more about the public’s views, the
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF),
launched a study that will examine current attitudes on abstinence and abstinence education.
The Public Education Study: Public Knowledge of Abstinence and Abstinence Education, which is
being conducted by Abt Associates Inc., is a public opinion survey of a nationally representative
sample of adolescents and their parents. This telephone survey will cover topics related to views on
abstinence and abstinence education. This information will be used to inform current public
education campaigns as well as future campaigns. This is not a survey of sexual behaviors. The
information gathered will assist ACF with grant administration and technical assistance activities.
We are seeking OMB review for the survey instruments we will use to interview parents and
adolescents for this study.

A.2

How, by Whom, and for What Purposes is the Information to be Used?

Abt Associates Inc. is responsible for the data collection under contract to the US Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The goal of
this study is to conduct a survey of public knowledge of abstinence and abstinence education that
results in high-quality data that is generalizable to the national population of interest. The study will
employ a probability sample using a random-digit-dial sample (RDD) design. A sampling plan has
been developed by expert sampling statisticians to have the sample size necessary to achieve the
desired power, based on informed estimates of the kinds of response rates that can be expected. The
data collected will provide valuable insights for Federal, state, and community level policy makers
and program operators interested in learning about public perceptions of abstinence and abstinence
education, including how adolescents define abstinence, from what sources they receive messages
about abstinence (parents, school, peers, media), and what their opinions are about abstinence and
abstinence education.
The item-by-item justification for the proposed interview instruments is shown in Appendix A. For
each included item, this appendix shows the content of each question and the rationale for including it
in the questionnaire. Appendix B presents the household screening questionnaire; Appendix C, full
parent questionnaire; and Appendix D, the adolescent questionnaire. Appendix E provides the 60-day
notice published for this study, Appendix F provides copies of the three comments received, and
Appendix G presents a sample advance letter informing potential respondents about the study.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-1

A.3

Use of Automated, Electronic, Mechanical, or Other Technological
Collection Techniques

The surveys will be conducted by telephone using computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI)
technology as well as innovative data collection strategies derived from Abt Associates’ experience
with the National Immunization Survey (NIS) and other RDD telephone surveys. The NIS is
especially important since, in 2004, Abt Associates achieved a response rate of 73 percent in the
National Immunization Survey, which represents one of the highest response rates achieved in an
RDD survey in recent years.
CATI is an efficient interviewing mode that reduces respondent burden and improves the quality of
the data collected. The CATI system will include logic checks and skip-pattern controls to ensure
that respondents receive the appropriate questions and that the interview process goes smoothly.
These programmed checks also identify inconsistent responses, allowing the interviewer to resolve
discrepancies during the interview.
The sample management portion of the CATI system efficiently handles large samples, as well as
samples with numerous strata or clusters. Distribution of telephone numbers to interviewers is very
fast. The system allows for flexible scheduling of callbacks to allow respondents to be called at their
convenience. It also contains well-tested calling algorithms for delivering cases to interviewers based
on the outcomes of previous call attempts that maximize the probability of completing interviews and
thereby increase response rates.
Another CATI software module allows supervisors to monitor production and quality, including
monitoring of interviews as they transpire. Researchers have easy access to survey responses and
data frequencies for each variable. For survey review and preliminary analysis, the CATI system can
produce a copy of the questionnaire with survey frequencies posted next to each question.
The CATI system also contains protections against data loss. Completed questionnaire data are
stored during the interviewing process; nightly, a full backup of the entire CATI system occurs.
Survey interviewers will use digital recording equipment to record the parents’ (or guardians’)
permission to allow the interviewer to contact the adolescents for their interview.
Adolescent privacy will be enhanced by the use of Digit Grabber® technology, which allows
respondents with push button telephones to answer sensitive questions. Interviewers will read the
respondents’ answer from Digit Grabber equipment and enter the code into the CATI system.

A.4

Efforts to Avoid Duplication

The present study, “Public Education Study⎯Public Knowledge of Abstinence and Abstinence
Education” is non-duplicative of any information currently available on this topic. A thorough search
of the available literature as well as knowledge of other ongoing research projects indicates that the
present effort will produce unique information.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-2

A.5

Minimizing Impact on Small Businesses and Other Small Entities

This study involves a household survey of parents and adolescents. The study will impose no burden
on small businesses or other small entities.

A.6

Consequences of Less Frequent Data Collection

Not applicable. This is a one-time data collection effort.

A.7

Special Data Collection Circumstances

In all respects, the data will be collected in a manner consistent with the guidelines in Title 5, Section
1320.6 of the Code of Federal Regulations. There are no special circumstances that will require
deviation from these guidelines.

A.8

Consultation Outside the Agency

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HHS published a notice in the Federal
Register (Vol. 71, No. 221, page 66787) on November 16, 2006 announcing the agency’s intention to
request an OMB review of data collection activities for the public awareness survey on abstinence
and abstinence education. The notice provided a 60-day period for public comments. A copy of this
notice is provided in Appendix E. Three public comments were received and are attached in
Appendix F.
HHS’s contractor, Abt Associates Inc., developed the data collection instruments in consultation with
HHS staff. In addition, an expert panel reviewed and provided input on the scope and content of the
survey instruments for this study. The panel consists of experts in the fields of abstinence and
abstinence education, public opinion research, and survey research. The panel members are listed in
Exhibit 1.

A.9

Remuneration to Respondents

Respondents will not receive any remuneration for their participation in the survey.

A.10 Confidentiality
The survey will be conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and requirements including the
Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a), the Privacy Act Regulations (34 CFR Part 5b), and the Freedom
of Information Act (5 CFR 552) and related regulations (41 CFR Part 1-1, 45 CFR Part 5b, and 40
CFR 44502).
This project was reviewed and approved by Abt Associates’ Institutional Review Board (IRB) in
December 2006.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-3

Exhibit 1
Expert Panel Members for the Public Knowledge of Abstinence and Abstinence Education
Study
Jon Berg
Pal Tech
Valerie Huber
Abstinence Coordinator
Ohio Department of Health
Meredith Kelsey
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Annie Miller
Administration for Families and Children
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Kristin Anderson Moore
Senior Scholar
Child Trends
Patricia Moy
Associate Professor
Department of Communication
Adjunct Faculty, Political Science
University of Washington
Scott Phelps
Executive Director
Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership
Robert Rector
Senior Research Fellow
The Heritage Foundation
Jeffrey Rosenberg
President
Rosenberg Communications
Chris Trenholm
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Steven Wagner
President
QEV Analytics, Ltd.
W. Bradford Wilcox
University of Virginia

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-4

At the beginning of each interview, we will inform both adult and adolescent respondents that their
participation in the survey is voluntary and we will only interview adolescents whose parents give
permission for their child to participate in the study. We will also remind respondents that their
responses will be kept confidential.

A.11 Questions of a Sensitive Nature
Given the nature of the subject of abstinence, some of the questions in the survey may be considered
sensitive to some respondents, especially the adolescents. We are taking several steps to make
respondents⎯both adults and adolescents⎯feel comfortable with the survey.
First, we will begin each paired interview by talking first to the parent. Only after the parent
completes the parent version of the interview will we request parental permission to interview the
adolescent. This will allow the parent to hear the types of questions in the survey and decide if they
will give permission for their adolescent to participate in the study.
Second, in both the parent and adolescent surveys, we will ask only about attitudes and opinions and
will not ask any questions about sexual or other risk behaviors.
Third, given the potentially sensitive nature of some questions and the fact that this is a telephone
survey, we will give adolescent respondents an alternative to speaking their responses to the
interviewer. We will use Digit Grabber® technology that allows respondents to press the number
corresponding to their response on their telephone keypad instead of saying the response out loud.
This will enhance privacy for respondents and may encourage respondents to answer questions that
they might otherwise refuse because someone in the household might overhear the answer.
Fourth, we have derived or adapted most of the questions from respected national surveys that have
been used successfully administered to adolescents.
Finally, all protocols and instruments have been reviewed and approved by Abt Associates’
Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Appendix A provides an item-by-item justification for questions regarding attitudes and opinions
about sexual abstinence and abstinence education.

A.12 Estimate of Annualized Burden Hours
We expect to screen 19,612 households in our attempt to find households with an in-range adolescent
in the household. Parents of selected adolescents will be interviewed first and must give permission
for their adolescents to be interviewed. We expect that some parents will not give consent for their
adolescent to be interviewed, and some adolescents will be unavailable during the data collection
period. Therefore, in order to obtain 1,000 adolescent interviews, we expect to interview 1,670
parents. The total burden for 22,282 respondents will be 2,525 hours, as shown in Exhibit 2.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-5

Exhibit 2
Estimate of Total Burden Hours

Number of
Respondents

Number
Responses
per
Respondent

Average
Burden/
Response
(in hours)

Total
Burden
Hours

19,612

1

0.083

1,634

Parent Interviews

1,670

1

0.33

557

Adolescent Interviews

1,000

1

0.33

334

Respondents
Household Screener

TOTAL BURDEN HRS.

22,282

2,525

A.13 Estimated Costs to Respondents or Record Keepers
There is no start-up or ongoing actual financial cost incurred by respondents participating in the
survey. Interviewers will call respondents at the respondents’ convenience.

A.14 Estimated Cost to the Federal Government
The estimated cost to the Federal government for conducting the study is $1,321,817. These costs
include all costs associated with the study, inclusive of the survey that is the subject of this
submission. The figures are based on an estimate of the workload required to conduct this study.

A.15 Changes in Burden
This is a new information collection so there are no changes in burden.

A.16 Tabulation and Publication Plans and Time Schedule for the Project
Data collection is expected to begin in June 2007 and continue through December 2007. Responses
to survey questions will make up a database, primarily to analyze the attitudes and opinions about
abstinence and abstinence education. Analysis will be conducted from January 2008 through
February 2008, with a first draft report submitted to HHS/ACF in February 2008 and a final report
submitted in March 2008.
The analysis will explore how parent and adolescent definitions of abstinence relate to exposure to the
abstinence message and to opinions about abstinence and abstinence education. We will also explore
how background characteristics (e.g. language spoken at home, age, ethnicity, marital status,
household composition, attendance at religious services, household income, etc.) relate to the parent
and adolescent’s knowledge and attitudes towards abstinence and abstinence education. HHS will
use the survey findings to inform grant administration, technical assistance, and public information
activities.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-6

A.17 Display of Expiration Date
The OMB expiration date will be displayed on all data collection instruments. CATI interviewers
will be provided with the OMB number and expiration date.

A.18 Exceptions to Certification Statement
There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part A: Justification

A-7

Part B: Statistical Methods
B.1

Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

The sample design will provide a national probability sample of adolescents between 12 and 18 years
of age and their parents. The sample will be stratified by the four Census Regions and by
Metropolitan versus Micropolitan Statistical Area/Not located in a Metropolitan or Micropolitan
Statistical Area Statistical Area. Within each stratum the primary sampling units (PSUs) will be
households with landlines. Exhibit 3 provides estimates for number of households in the population
in each stratum (based on the 2004 March Current Population Survey) and their corresponding
expected sample sizes of completed household interviews (adolescent and parent completed).
Exhibit 3
Number of Households in Universe and Sample By Stratum

Stratum
Northeast
•

Metropolitan Statistical Area

•

Micropolitan Statistical Area/Not
located in a Metropolitan or
Micropolitan Statistical Area

Estimated Size of Universe
(Age-eligible Households)

Approximate Size of
Sample (Households with
completed adolescent
and parent interviews)

3,042,500

168

375,200

21

3,138,100

173

959,500

53

Midwest
•

Metropolitan Statistical Area

•

Micropolitan Statistical Area/Not
located in a Metropolitan or
Micropolitan Statistical Area
South

•

Metropolitan Statistical Area

4,914,200

270

•

Micropolitan Statistical Area/Not
located in a Metropolitan or
Micropolitan Statistical Area

1,466,900

81

3,725,700

205

529,800

29

18,151,800

1000

West
•

Metropolitan Statistical Area

•

Micropolitan Statistical Area/Not
located in a Metropolitan or
Micropolitan Statistical Area

Total

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-1

List-assisted random-digit-dialing (RDD) sampling provides a probability sample of households with
landline telephones. In screening a household, a knowledgeable adult in the household will be
interviewed and asked to identify the number of adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. If one
adolescent lives the household, the informant will be asked to identify the parent or guardian who is
most knowledgeable about the adolescent. In households with more than one adolescent, CATI
programming will implicitly roster the adolescents and randomly select one before the interviewer
asks for the most knowledgeable parent/guardian. Following the parent/guardian interview, the
interviewer will ask for the parent’s (or guardian’s) permission to contact the adolescent for his/her
interview.
For this RDD study, we expect the response rate for parents to be between 40 and 50 percent. The
final response rate for completing 1,000 paired parent-adolescent interviews is expected to range
between 25 and 30 percent. Section B3 contains our plan for nonresponse analysis. See Exhibit 4 for
the expected distribution of sample and respective response rates that the sample is processed.

B.2

Information Collection Procedures

B2.1

Statistical Methodology for Stratification and Sample Selection

The sample design will provide a national probability sample of adolescents between 12 and 18 years
of age and their parents. List-assisted random-digit-dialing (RDD) sampling provides a probability
sample of households with landline telephones. We use the GENESYS Sampling System for drawing
RDD samples. After the sample of telephone numbers is drawn, it will be processed through
GENESYS-CSS to remove a portion of the nonworking and business numbers from the sample
before it is released to the interviewers. The sample will be divided into replicates (random
subsamples) to facilitate the releasing of the sample on a controlled flow basis to interviewers.
Households will be screened; eligible households will have an adolescent between 12 and 18 years
living in the household with a “most knowledgeable” parent or guardian living in the household.
Within each eligible household we will select one adolescent, interview the parent/guardian who is
identified as “most knowledgeable” about the sampled adolescent, and attempt to interview the
selected adolescent. The final sample is expected to yield around 1,000 paired, adolescent-parent
interviews.
List-Assisted Random-Digit-Dialing (RDD)

The list-assisted method is similar to the traditional Mitofsky-Waksberg method of selecting RDD
samples. Both methods construct a frame of banks, which contain 100 consecutive telephone
numbers. The two methods differ in the first stage of sampling, which classifies each bank as either
working or nonworking. The Mitofsky-Waksberg method randomly chooses a number from each
randomly selected bank. The selected number is dialed; if it is determined to be a household, the
bank is considered to be a working bank, and the remaining numbers in the bank are eligible to be
sampled. If the selected number is a business, institution, or nonworking number (i.e., an out-ofscope telephone number), the entire bank is considered nonworking and deleted from the sample.
In contrast, the list-assisted method classifies banks as working or nonworking by comparing them
with directory-listed residential numbers. If at least one of the numbers in a bank is a directory-listed

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-2

residential number, the bank is a working bank and is eligible for sampling; but if the bank contains
no directory-listed residential numbers, it is not a working bank. The list-assisted method is subject
to some small coverage bias (because of unlisted residential numbers in banks that contain no listed
residential numbers), but that this slight bias is offset by gains in survey efficiency and lower cost.
The national sampling frame consists of banks of 100 consecutive telephone numbers within the
prefix areas currently in service. For example, the numbers from 617-492-7100 to 617-492-7199
constitute a working bank in the 617-492 prefix area. To exclude banks that contain zero directorylisted residential telephone numbers, the GENESYS Sampling System (a proprietary product of
Marketing Systems Group) uses a file of directory-listed residential numbers from Donnelley
Marketing Information Services (DMIS). The result is a file that lists the remaining banks (the “1+
working banks”). From the 1+ working banks a random sample of complete ten-digit telephone
numbers is drawn in such a way that each number has a known and equal probability of being
selected. The sample is then randomly segmented into replicates as discussed below.
The list-assisted sampling frame will be stratified by the four Census Regions (North East, Midwest,
South, and West) and by Metropolitan Statistical Area versus Micropolitan Statistical Area/Not
located in a Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area. This forms a total of eight strata. The
total sample size of telephone numbers will be allocated to the eight strata to yield an equal
probability of selection sample of telephone numbers.
Release and Management of the Sample

Coordinated management of the sample follows a sequence of steps. The initial sample will be
divided into replicates (random subsamples). The use of sample replicates allows us to control the
release of the sample in a coordinated fashion to ensure that the target number of interviews is
approximately achieved without releasing more sample than is needed. Before a replicate is loaded
into the CATI system, several stages of processing remove as many business and nonworking
numbers as possible. A separate step matches the telephone numbers in the sample against a large
database available from TARGUSinfo to obtain addresses so that advance letters can be sent.
Within-Household Respondent Selection

The use of random assignment within households will ensure that the probabilistic nature of the
sample design is maintained. The sample will be a random sample of households with adolescents
between 12 and 18 years. If a household has more than one eligible adolescent in that age range, one
will be randomly selected to complete the interview. Our strategy for selecting the parent/guardian
who will be interviewed is called the “most knowledgeable parent” approach. Under this approach,
we would randomly select an adolescent and then ask to speak with the parent (or guardian) living in
the household who is most knowledgeable about the adolescent, based on criteria approved by ACF.
The most knowledgeable parent approach should result in more accurate parental responses, because
we will interview the parent who is most familiar with the adolescent. It is also likely that the most
knowledgeable parent may be more willing to provide consent for the adolescent to participate in the
survey. However, the most knowledgeable parent approach will not produce a national probability
sample of parents with a child aged 12-18 years. In other words, the parental data would not be
analyzed separately but rather linked to the adolescent data.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-3

The order of the within household sampling and interviewing is as follows: 1) determine if any
persons age 12-18 years are currently residing in the sample household, 2) randomly select one
person aged 12-18 years, 3) identify the most knowledgeable parent for the selected adolescent from
among the adults living in the household, 4) interview this parent, 5) obtain consent from the parent to
interview the selected adolescent, and 6) interview the selected adolescent.
B2.2

Estimation Procedure

In order to generalize the results of the survey to the adolescent population, we will calculate sample
weights. Each adolescent who completes a detailed interview will receive a base sampling weight,
equal to the reciprocal of the probability of selection of the sample telephone number. The base
sampling weight will be adjusted for the number of voice-use landline telephone numbers in the
household.
This weight will be further adjusted for nonresponse and noncoverage of non-telephone households.
Nonresponse Adjustments
We will adjust for nonresponse at each of three stages in the RDD survey:
•

A telephone number is drawn for the sample, but we are unable to ascertain whether it
belongs to a residential household.

•

A residential number is identified, but the screening questionnaire is not completed.

•

A screening questionnaire is completed and an adolescent is selected to be interviewed, but
the interview is not completed.

Noncoverage of Non-Telephone Households

RDD surveys can reach only persons in households that have landline telephones. Fortunately, recent
research indicates that, for many characteristics, telephone households that have had interruptions in
their telephone service longer than one week in the past 12 months are a good proxy for households
that do not have telephone service at the time of the survey. As a result it is possible to adjust the
estimates from an RDD survey to take into account its noncoverage of nontelephone households. The
screening questionnaire for the planned this survey includes questions about interruptions in
telephone service.
Post-stratification

Finally, we will post-stratify the adolescent weights to control totals developed from the March 2006
Current Population Survey and other sources such as the Census Bureau Population Estimates
program. Poststratification variables would include age and gender of the adolescent, as well as
household level characteristics.
B2.3

Degree of Accuracy

The sample size for the survey needs to be large enough to meet the following criteria:
•

Provide accurate estimates of public opinions, defined as a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage
points, or half the width of the 95 percent confidence interval; and

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-4

•

Compare public opinion data from the current survey with a second survey that may be
conducted later. We want to be able to detect a difference of 7 percentage points with 80
percent statistical power.

To meet these criteria our calculations indicate that we need a final sample of 1,000 households with
paired interviews (adolescent/parent). In determining this sample size we have allowed for a design
effect of 1.20 to account for an increase in sampling variability from selecting one adolescent from
each age-eligible sample household.
Exhibit 4 shows the sample sizes necessary at each step in the sampling design to achieve this final
sample. As indicated in Exhibit 4, we expect to draw an initial sample of around 81,716 telephone
numbers. Our experience has shown that GENESYS-CSS will purge about 50 percent of the initial
sample as out-of-scope (nonworking or nonresidential), so we would expect to have about 40,858
sample numbers available for interviewer dialing after GENESYS-CSS processing. Among the
released telephone numbers, about 60% (24,515) should be working residential numbers (known
household numbers, residential answering machines, privacy managers, refusals, and other categories
of likely households).
We expect that 80% of these households will complete the screening interviewing, and based on
Current Population Survey, we project that about 17 percent of screened households contain one or
more persons aged 12-18. Among age-eligible households we expect to complete parent interviews
and obtain consent for around 50%. Thus, a sample size of 24,515 residential numbers should yield
about 1,670 households with adolescents where we are able to complete the parent interview and
obtain consent. That should allow us to complete about 1,000 interviews with adolescents in
households where consent was obtained, assuming a 60 percent adolescent interview completion rate.
Exhibit 4
Estimated Sample Sizes for the Public Knowledge of Abstinence and Abstinence Education
Project

Total Initial Sample Size of Telephone Numbers

81,716

Approximate Number of Telephone Numbers Purged by GENESYS-CSS
Approximate Number of Telephone Numbers to be Dialed by interviewers

40,858
40,858

Approximate Number of Known and Likely Residential Numbers Among Dialed Sample

24,515

a

Completed Screeners
Screened Households Without Adolescents (aged 12-18 years)
Screened Households With Adolescents (aged 12-18 years)
Completed Detailed interviews b
Most Knowledgeable Parent Interview Completed and Consent Obtained
Adolescent Interviews
a
b

19,612
16,278
3,334

1,670
1,000

Assumes a 80 percent screener completion rate and a 17 percent age-eligibility rate.
Assumes a 50 percent detailed interview/consent completion rate for parents and a 60 percent detailed interview completion
rate for adolescents.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-5

Taking into account the within-household sampling of adolescent/parent pairs and various design
factors that increase sampling variability (i.e., the design effect of 1.20 mentioned above), the sample
size of 1,000 paired parent-adolescent interviews should be large enough to meet the two precision
levels listed above. This sample size is large enough to support national estimates. It should also be
possible to develop separate estimates for major adolescent subgroups such as males versus females
and for non-Hispanic whites versus all other race/ethnic groups.
Because some of the sample size determination factors are subject to uncertainty, we will draw a
sample of around 163,000 telephone numbers and divide that sample into replicates for controlled
sample release in order to achieve around 1,000 paired interviews.
B2.4

Unusual Problems Requiring Specialized Sampling Procedures

We do not foresee any unusual problems with RDD sampling that would require specialized sampling
procedures.
B2.5

Use of Periodic Data Collection Cycles to Reduce Burden

Because respondents to this survey will be asked to complete a single, one-time-only telephone
interview, use of periodic data collection cycles would have no effect on respondent burden.

B.3

Methods to Maximize Response Rates

Abt Associates has a staff of seasoned telephone center supervisors and interviewers skilled in
conducting health-related RDD surveys and trained in procedures to reduce nonresponse. In addition,
we will send a project advance letter to targeted respondents, designed by Abt Associates and
approved by ACF to selected households. The letter, on ACF letterhead and signed by an ACF
official, will be mailed to the parent/guardian and will explain the general purpose of the survey and
how the data will be used, specify the amount of time needed to complete an interview, state that the
survey is voluntary, and provide a toll-free telephone number to call for additional information or to
complete the interview. The letter will strongly stress study confidentiality.
The following procedures will also be employed to maximize response rates:

1

•

The sample will also be reverse-matched against the TARGUSinfo commercial database of
residential addresses. This matching will allow the mailing of advance letters to a high
proportion (over 65 percent) of households in the RDD sample.1 A copy of the advance letter
is included in Appendix G.

•

Conducting telephone interviews primarily during evening and weekend hours, when
respondents are most likely to be at home.

•

Allowing respondents to schedule telephone interviews at their convenience.

Camburn, D.P., Lavrakas, P.J., Battaglia, M.P., Massey, J.T., and Wright, R.A. 1995. Using advance
letters in random-digit-dialing surveys. 1995 Proceedings of the Section on Survey Research Methods,
Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association, pp. 969-974.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-6

•

Employing specially trained refusal conversion interviewers to contact respondents who are
initially reluctant to participate in the study. Before telephoning an initially reluctant
respondent, refusal conversion interviewers review the history of contacts with specific
respondents and, if necessary, consult with supervisors to determine the best refusal conversion
strategy.

•

Sending refusal conversion letters to respondents who are difficult to reach by telephone and
who are initially reluctant to participate. Some respondents are more likely to participate if they
receive requests by mail.

Procedures for Dealing with Nonresponse

We will attempt to minimize nonresponse at each stage of the survey by:
•

Using a call management system that tracks and manages the sample of telephone numbers so
that telephone numbers are called at different times on different days; appointments with
respondents are kept; and callbacks are made at the appropriate times.

•

Maintaining a sufficient staff of interviewers so that respondents are called in an efficient and
timely manner—respondents must be called within two weeks of the advance letter mailing;
appointments and callbacks must occur at the correct times even during peak calling hours.

•

Training interviewers in refusal aversion techniques to prevent initial refusals.

•

Performing on-line monitoring of 10 percent of all calls placed so that action can be taken to
correct poor interviewing practices.

•

Identifying best interviewing practices and sharing them with the entire interviewing staff
through regular project meetings and refresher training.

•

Arranging ongoing training for interviewers and supervisors to improve their skills and alert
them to protocol changes and revisions.

Special Consideration for Adolescents

Because of the potentially sensitive nature of some of the questions in the adolescent survey, we will
utilize a device known as the Digit Grabber® to increase participant and item response rates over
those that would be expected using standard telephone interviewing. During telephone data
collection, the Digit Grabber® allows respondents to select an answer using the telephone keypad
instead of communicating their choice verbally. The system then displays this selection on the
interviewer’s screen, and the interviewer transfers the displayed digit into the computer. Because a
respondent using the Digit Grabber® does not have to say an answer aloud, it is hypothesized that the
device increases the respondent's sense of privacy, and thus increases response rates for sensitive
questions. Abt Associates has successfully used the Digit Grabber® in an earlier study that collected
sexual history information.2

2

Blumberg, S., Cynamon, M., Osborn, L. and Olson, L. 2003. The impact of touch-tone data entry on
reports of HIV/STD risk behaviors in telephone interviews. The Journal of Sex Research: 40 (2), pp 121128.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-7

Nonresponse Bias Assessment

The overall response rate for this survey is expected to be below 80%. It will therefore be important
to assess the extent of unit nonresponse bias. We plan to conduct the analysis in three steps. First, we
will determine if response rate varies by a substantial degree for different telephone exchange-level
ecological variables, such as the percent of the population in the telephone exchange that is Hispanic,
the percent of households in the telephone exchange with incomes below $20,000, etc. This will tell
us if there is differential response by telephone exchange level characteristics. Second, in identifying
demographic and socioeconomic variables to use in poststratification, we will determine which of
these variable exhibit large differences from the expected population distribution⎯another indicator
of differential nonresponse. Third, we will compare key survey outcome measure for completed
paired interviews obtained in the first few call attempts (early responders) with completed paired
interviews obtained at higher call attempt levels (late responders) to determine if there are significant
differences with respect to key survey outcome variables.

B.4

Tests of Procedures or Methods

Even items that have been used in other surveys will need to be tested in the context of the Public
Education Study. We will use two methods of testing the instruments: cognitive interviewing and
pretesting.
Cognitive Interviewing
The objectives of cognitive interviewing are to identify problems with questionnaire items for a
telephone-administered survey and to identify issues respondents might have. Cognitive interviews
consist of instructing respondents to think aloud, along with concurrent and retrospective probing.
Overall and question-specific reactions are obtained and suggestions for rewording or deleting of any
items are solicited. The interviews are video-recorded, even if the cognitive interviews are conducted
by telephone inside Abt Associates’ Cognitive Laboratory in Bethesda, Maryland. A trained Abt
Associates staff member observes each interview and makes notes. This person works with the
cognitive interviewer to review their notes and the recording in order to construct a comprehensive
and accurate report of each interview’s findings.
We have completed an initial round of cognitive testing (four parents and four adolescents). ACF
staff were invited to observe cognitive interviews. Abt Associates recommended changes to the
questionnaire based on the cognitive laboratory findings. After ACF review, the parent and
adolescent instruments were revised. The revised versions appear in this document reflect the
findings from the first round of cognitive testing. A second round of testing (no more than five
parents and five adolescents) will take place in April 2007. Any additional changes to the instruments
resulting from the second round of testing (as well as the pretesting described below) will be
submitted to OMB.

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-8

Pretesting
Following the cognitive interviewing, Abt Associates will pretest the Household Screener and the
revised Parent and Adolescent Interview instruments with nine households that have adolescents
living in them. Any changes as a result of the pretest will be reflected in the CATI version of the
instruments.

B.5

Statistical Consultation and Information Collection Agents

HHS/ACF has contracted with Abt Associates Inc. to conduct the data collection. The individuals
listed in Exhibit 5 will be responsible for statistical aspects, data collection, and data analysis.
Exhibit 5
Abt Associates Consultants for the Public Knowledge of Abstinence and Abstinence
Education Study
Name

Role

Telephone Number

Michael Battaglia

Statistical Sample Design

(617) 349-2425

Gretchen Locke

Analysis

(617) 349-2373

Marjorie Morrissey

Data Collection

(312) 867-4061

Deborah Walker, Ed.D.

Analysis

(617) 347-2390

Abt Associates Inc.

Part B: Statistical Methods

B-9

Appendix A
Item-by Item Justification of Surveys

Appendix A: Item-by-Item Justification of Surveys
Adolescent Survey Items
Question(s)

Respondents, Content, and Reason for Inclusion

Questions A-D

Respondents: all adolescents.
These questions request the adolescent’s participation in the study.
Respondents: all adolescents.
These questions ask the adolescent’s age and grade in school (or grade most recently
completed). This information will be used to categorize respondents by age and grade.
Respondents: all adolescents.
These questions ask about the adolescent’s relationship with the parent interviewed in the
parent survey. These questions will be used to examine whether patterns in adolescents’
and parents’ knowledge and attitudes about abstinence are associated with the closeness of
the relationship.
Respondents: all adolescents.
These questions ask what topics related to sexual activity adolescents have discussed with
their parents, the frequency of these discussions, and how comfortable the adolescent is
with these discussions. These questions will be used to examine the messages adolescents
receive about abstinence and abstinence education from their parents.
Respondents: all adolescents.
This question asks a series of items to determine adolescents’ attitudes about abstinence, to
understand these attitudes and how strongly they are held.
Respondents: all adolescents.
This question asks about exposure to abstinence education classes, and (for those who have
been exposed) the content of the class. We also ask about use of Internet websites to obtain
information about resisting pressure to have sexual intercourse. These will be used to
characterize the rate of adolescents receiving abstinence education and their perceptions of
the messages conveyed.
Respondents: all adolescents.
This question asks whom the teen would prefer to talk to about sex and sexual issues.
Respondents: all adolescents.
These questions ask about the adolescents’ perceptions of the attitudes of their friends
toward abstinence, to explore the consistency of attitudes among respondents and their
peers.
Respondents: all adolescents.
This question asks whether the teen has taken a written or verbal pledge to abstain from
sexual intercourse until marriage. This question will be used along with the attitudinal
questions to assess the adolescent’s opinions about abstinence.

Questions 1-2

Questions 3-5

Questions 6-12

Questions 13-15

Questions 16-18

Question 19
Questions 20-22

Question 23

Abt Associates Inc.

Item-by-Item Justification of Surveys

A-1

Parent Survey Items
Question(s)

Respondents, Content, and Reason for Inclusion

Questions 1- 6

Respondents: all parents/guardians
These questions ask about the parent/guardian’s relationship to the adolescent and
demographic characteristics of the adolescent to provide descriptive information to
categorize respondents.
Respondents: all parents/guardians
These questions ask parents/guardians about the closeness of their relationship with their
child. These questions will be used to examine whether patterns in adolescents’ and
parents’ knowledge and attitudes about abstinence are associated with the closeness of the
relationship.
Respondents: all parents/guardians
These questions have to do with what topics related to sexual activity parents/guardians
have discussed with their adolescents, the frequency of these discussions, how comfortable
the parent is with these discussions, and the messages conveyed. These questions will be
used to examine the messages adolescents receive about abstinence and abstinence
education from their parents.
Respondents: all parents/guardians
This question asks a series of items to determine parent/guardian attitudes about sexual
activity among teens.
Respondents: all parents/guardians
These questions ask the parents/guardians about the sources from which they would like
the sampled adolescent to receive messages about abstinence, to characterize parent’s
preferences about how to convey messages about abstinence.
Respondents: all parent/guardians.
This question asks about adolescent’s exposure to abstinence education classes. This will
be used to characterize the rate of adolescents receiving abstinence education and (when
compared to adolescent responses) parent/guardian knowledge of that exposure.
Respondents: all parents/guardians.
This question asks whether the adolescent has taken a written or verbal pledge to abstain
from sex until marriage. This question will be used with the parallel question in the
adolescent survey to assess parent/guardian knowledge of such pledges.
Respondents: all parent/guardians.
These questions ask about background and demographic characteristics for the
parent/guardian. This information will be used to provide descriptive information to
categorize respondents.
Respondents: all parent/guardians
These questions ask about telephone service and will be used for statistical purposes.
Respondents: all parent/guardians
These questions ask the parent to give permission for their child to participate in the
survey.

Questions 7- 9

Questions 10-14

Question 15

Questions 16-17

Question 18

Question 19

Questions 20-32

Questions 33-35
Questions 36-39

Abt Associates Inc.

Item-by-Item Justification of Surveys

A-2

Appendix B
Household Screener

Screener revised, 04/04/07

Appendix B: Household Screener
Hello. My name is ________ and I’m calling from Abt Associates. I’m calling on behalf
of the US Department of Health and Human Services. We are conducting a national
health survey.
1: CONTINUE
2: GATEKEEPER REFUSAL
3: REFUSAL
5: LANGUAGE BARRIER
6: HUDI
23: NOT AVAILABLE DURING STUDY PERIOD
92: GENERAL CALLBACK
93: SPECIFIC CALLBACK
96: R WILL CALL US
97: FINAL OTHER
IF INTRO = 1, GO TO ADULTRINHH
IF INTRO = 2, 3, 6, TERMINATE AND CODE AS A REFUSAL.
IF INTRO = 92, 93, 96, SET A CALLBACK.
IF INTRO = 5, TERMINATE AND CODE AS LANGUAGE BARRIER-SPANISH; or
LANGUAGE BARRIER-OTHER
IF INTRO = 23, TERMINATE AND CODE AS USER14.
IF INTRO = 97, TERMINATE AND CODE AS FINAL OTHER (USER97)
ADULTRINHH
Am I speaking with someone who lives in this household who is 18 years of age or older?
1. YES
2. NO, ADULT COMES TO PHONE
[GO TO INTRO]
3. NO, HOUSEHOLD MEMBER OVER 18 NOT HOME [SCHEDULE
APPOINTMENT]
4. NO, NO HOUSEHOLD MEMBER OVER 18
[TERMINATE: USER33]
Those are all the questions that I have. Thank you very much for your time.
5. NOT A RESIDENCE
[TERMINATE: USER20]
Thank you very much, but we are only interviewing private residences.

Abt Associates Inc.

Household Screener

B-1

Screener revised, 04/04/07

NUM_ADULTS

How many people living in your household are older than 18 years of age?

Number of Adults
(NUM_ADULTS MUST BE >0.)
NUM_ADOL
How many people living in your household are between the ages of 12 and 18?

Number of In-range Teenagers
77. DON’T KNOW
99. REFUSED
HELP SCREEN: DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD MEMBER
Teen household members include all related and unrelated children between
12 and 18 years old who consider the household their home. They may or
may not be home at the time of the call.
Do not include 19-year-olds, or teens who are currently living elsewhere,
such as at college, a military base, a correctional facility, and so forth.
IF NUM_ADOL = 77, TERMINATE INTERVIEW. USERCODE USER2.
IF NUM_ADOL = 99, TERMINATE INTERVIEW. CODE AS REFUSAL.
IF NUM_ADOL = 00, TERMINATE AND CODE AS USER35
Those are all the questions that I have. Thank you very much for your time.

Abt Associates Inc.

Household Screener

B-2

Screener revised, 04/04/07

SELECTION_NUM / SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT
IF NUM_ADOL=01, THEN SELECTION_NUM=01; GO TO NAME_ADOL.
OTHERWISE, ENUMERATE ADOLESCENTS, IN AGE ORDER FROM OLDEST
TO YOUNGEST.
ALLOW UP TO 8 ADOLESCENTS
IN FOLLOWING EXAMPLE, NUM_ADOL=3
ENUMERATION
NUMBER TEXT STRING
01.
OLDEST
02.
SECOND OLDEST
03.
THIRD OLDEST
RANDOMLY SELECT ADOLESCENT AND SET SELECTION_NUM TO
ENUMERATION NUMBER AND STORE TEXT STRING IN SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT
GIVE_ADOL_NAME
(IF NUM_ADOL>01, SAY: This is a health survey of teenagers and parents. The computer
randomly chose the [SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT] teenager in your household to be in our
study. So that I’ll know how to refer to this teenager, can you please give me his or her
first name or initials?
1
2
7
8

YES
NO
REFUSED (SET NAME_ADOL TO “REFUSED” AND CONTINUE)
DON’T KNOW (SET NAME_ADOL TO “REFUSED” AND CONTINUE)

NAME_ADOL
NAME/INITIALS: ___________________________________

Abt Associates Inc.

Household Screener

B-3

Screener revised, 04/04/07

MKP1

IF NAME_ADOL = REFUSED OF IF NUM_ADOL=1, DISPLAY“this teenager’s.”
I would like to talk with this teenager’s parent or guardian who lives in this household and
knows the most about [(NAME_ADOL)’s / this teenager’s] attitudes and beliefs about
sexual activity, abstinence from sex, and abstinence education. We are interested in
attitudes on what’s good and bad about sexual activity and health for teens. Would you be
that parent or guardian?
01 YES, THAT’S ME

[SKIP TO PARENT DETAILED
INTERVIEW]
02 NO, NEW PERSON COMES TO PHONE
[SKIP TO PARENT DETAILED
INTERVIEW]
03 NO, NEW PERSON NOT AVAILABLE
[SET CALLBACK]
04 NO PAR/GUARD MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE
[GO TO MKP2]
05 BOTH PAR/GUARD MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE
[SKIP TO DETAILED INTERVIEW]
96 NO PARENT/GUARDIAN IN HH
[TERMINATE; CODE AS USER39]
Those are all the questions that I have. Thank you very much for your time but I need to
speak with the parent or guardian of [(NAME_ADOL) / the (SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT)
teenager].
97 REFUSED
[TERMINATE. CODE AS REFUSAL]
98 DON’T KNOW
[GO TO MKP2]

MKP2
That’s okay. We need to talk to the parent or guardian living your household who can answer
questions about [(NAME_ADOL) / the (SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT) teenager]. Would that be
you?
01 YES, THAT’S ME
[SKIP TO DETAILED INTERVIEW]
02 NO, NEW PERSON COMES TO PHONE
[SKIP TO DETAILED INTERVIEW]
03 NO, NEW PERSON NOT AVAILABLE
[SET CALLBACK]
96 NO PARENT/GUARDIAN IN HH
[TERMINATE; CODE AS USER39]
Those are all the questions that I have. Thank you very much for your time but I need to
speak with the parent or guardian of [(NAME_ADOL) / the (SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT)
teenager].
97 REFUSED
[TERMINATE. CODE AS REFUSAL]
98 DON’T KNOW
[TERMINATE. CODE AS REFUSAL]

Abt Associates Inc.

Household Screener

B-4

Screener revised, 04/04/07

CALLBACK
So that I’ll know how to refer to this person when I call back, can you please give me his or her
first name or initials?
NAME OR INITIALS: _______________

Abt Associates Inc.

Household Screener

B-5

Appendix C
Parent Interview

Draft: 040407

Appendix C: Parent Interview
IF MKP COMES TO THE PHONE. Hello. My name is ________ and I am calling from Abt Associates
on behalf of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier, we spoke (to you/someone in
your household) and you (identified yourself/were identified) as the person who could answer questions
about [(NAME_ADOL) / the (SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT) teenager] who lives in your household.
ALL: We are conducting a national survey of parents and teens to find out what they think about teens
not having sex. We are not asking any questions about behaviors or what young people actually do. We
are only asking about what people think and believe and how they talk about this issue.
This interview will take about 20 minutes. I will be asking you about a number of issues. As permitted
by law, all of your answers to my survey questions will be kept private and will only be used for research
purposes. We will not use your name, and your answers and those of other parents and guardians will
only be reported in summary form.
Completing this survey is your choice. You may choose not to participate in the survey. You may
choose not to answer any question for any reason and you can stop at any time. If I ask a question you
don’t want to answer, just let me know and I’ll go on to the next one.
If you have any questions about your rights in this study, I can give you the number for the project
director at the US Department of Health and Human Services. If you have any other questions about this
research study, you can call the study director at Abt Associates. I can give you her number as well.
Finally, to evaluate my performance, my supervisor may record and listen as I ask the questions.

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

C-1

Draft: 040407
1.

First I would like to ask you some questions about you and [(NAME_ADOL)/the
(SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT) teenager in your household]. What is your relationship to
(NAME_ADOL)? CODE USING CATEGORIES BELOW.
MOTHER
BIOLOGICAL ........................................................... 01
STEP .......................................................................... 02
FOSTER..................................................................... 03
ADOPTIVE................................................................ 04
FATHER
BIOLOGICAL ........................................................... 05
STEP .......................................................................... 06
FOSTER..................................................................... 07
ADOPTIVE................................................................ 08
SIBLING
BIOLOGICAL ........................................................... 09
STEP ......................................................................... 10
FOSTER..................................................................... 11
ADOPTIVE................................................................ 12
AUNT/UNCLE................................................................. 13
GRANDPARENT............................................................. 14
OTHER FAMILY MEMBER .......................................... 15
OTHER NON-RELATIVE
SPECIFY: ______________________________...... 16
REFUSED ........................................................................ 97

2.

I would like to ask a few questions about your child’s background. Is [(NAME_ADOL)/the
(SAMPLED_ADOL_TXT) teenager in your household] male or female?
Male .............................................................................
Female .........................................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

3.

How old is [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager]?
Age in years: ______ _______
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

4.

01
02
97
98

97
98

Is [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] Hispanic or (Latino/Latina)?
YES..............................................................................
NO ...............................................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
97
98

C-2

Draft: 040407
5.

Please select one or more from the following lists to describe [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager]’s
race. (CODE ALL THAT APPLY)
HELP SCREEN: If the respondent answers “Hispanic” or other ethnicity, probe to find out race.
White ...........................................................................
Black or African-American .........................................
Asian ............................................................................
American Indian or Alaska Native ..............................
Native Hawaiian or Other Alaska Native ....................
Other (Specify: ______________________) ..............
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

6.

01
02
03
04
05
06
98
97

Is [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] currently enrolled in school?
YES [ASK 6a] .............................................................
NO [ASK 6b]...............................................................
REFUSED [SKIP TO 7]..............................................
DON’T KNOW [SKIP TO 7]......................................

01
02
97
98

6a. [IF YES] What grade is [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] in?
GRADE 6 ....................................................................
GRADE 7 ....................................................................
GRADE 8 ....................................................................
GRADE 9 ....................................................................
GRADE 10 ..................................................................
GRADE 11 ..................................................................
GRADE 12 ..................................................................
Other (specify) ______________________________

01
02
03
04
05
06
07

6b. [IF NO] What was the last grade [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] completed?
GRADE 6 ....................................................................
GRADE 7 ....................................................................
GRADE 8 ....................................................................
GRADE 9 ....................................................................
GRADE 10 ..................................................................
GRADE 11 ..................................................................
GRADE 12 ..................................................................
Other (specify) ______________________________

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
04
05
06
07

C-3

Draft: 040407
7. How often do you and [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] do things together that you personally
enjoy? Would you say… (MPR Wave 1, 1.14)
Once a week or more often than that ...........................
2-3 times a month ........................................................
Once a month...............................................................
Less than once a month................................................
Never ...........................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

8.

How close do you feel you are to [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager]? Would you say … (MPR
Wave 1, 1.15)
Not at all close .............................................................
A little close.................................................................
Close ............................................................................
Very close ....................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

9.

01
02
03
04
05
98
97

01
02
03
04
98
97

Would you say your relationship with [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] is…?
Very good ....................................................................
Fairly good...................................................................
Fairly poor ...................................................................
Very poor .....................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
04
98
97

C-4

Draft: 040407
Parent-teen communication re: abstinence and other messages
10.

Now I would like to ask you some questions about the kinds of things you talk to
[(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] about. How many times have you ever talked with (him/her)
about (INSERT ISSUE)? Would you say never, once or twice, or more than twice? (MPR Wave
2, 3.16)

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

The basics of how babies are made,
pregnancy, or birth
Sexually transmitted diseases, STDs, or
HIV/AIDS
How to have good relationships
How to behave on dates
How to resist pressures to have sexual
intercourse.
Waiting to have sexual intercourse until
(he/she) is married.
Avoiding drugs and alcohol
How religious values relate to sexual
intercourse

Never
01

1-2
times
02

>2
times
03

Ref

DK

97

98

01

02

03

97

98

01
01
01

02
02
02

03
03
03

97
97
97

98
98
98

01

02

03

97

98

01
01

02
02

03
03

97
97

98
98

11. During the past year, have you had conversations about sex or sexual issues with your teenager?
YES ............................................................................. 01
NO (SKIP TO Q12) ..................................................... 02
DON’T KNOW (SKIP TO Q12) ................................. 98
REFUSED (SKIP TO Q12) ......................................... 97
11a. How often during the past year have you and your teenager talked about what is right and
wrong or good and bad about having sex? Would you say…
Never ..........................................................................
One or two times..........................................................
More than two times ....................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
02
98
97

Q12. Have you ever talked with (NAME_ADOL/this teenager) about sex or sexual issues?
YES .............................................................................
NO (SKIP TO Q13) .....................................................
DON’T KNOW (SKIP TO Q13) .................................
REFUSED (SKIP TO Q13) .........................................

01
02
98
97

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

C-5

Draft: 040407
12a.
Thinking about the conversations you had with [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager], please tell me
which of the following statements reflect what you said to (him/her)? (Q is adapted from Sex Education
in America; response categories from Zogby)

a.

[(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] should not

YES

NO

REFUSED

DON’T
KNOW

01

02

97

98

engage in sexual intercourse until
(he/she) is married.

13.

b.

[(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] should
not engage in sexual intercourse until
(he/she) is in a relationship with
someone [(NAME_ADOL)/this
teenager] feels (he/she) would like to
marry.

01

02

97

98

c.

[(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] should
not engage in sexual intercourse until
(he/she) has, at least, finished high
school.

01

02

97

98

d.

It’s okay for [(NAME_ADOL)/this
teenager] to engage in sexual intercourse
as long as condoms are used to protect
against sexually transmitted diseases and
pregnancy.

01

02

97

98

How comfortable [would you be/are you] talking to [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] about sex?
Would you say…(MPR Wave 2, 4.8) [IF Q12=2,97,OR 98 USE “WOULD YOU BE” ELSE
USE “ARE YOU”]
Not at all comfortable ..................................................
A little comfortable......................................................
Comfortable .................................................................
Very comfortable .........................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
04
98
97

C-6

Draft: 040407
14.

How comfortable do you think [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] [would be/is] talking to you
about sex? Would you say…(adapted MPR Wave 2, 4.8) [IF Q12=2,97,OR 98 USE “WOULD
YOU BE” ELSE USE “IS”]
Not at all comfortable ..................................................
A little comfortable......................................................
Comfortable .................................................................
Very comfortable .........................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
04
98
97

C-7

Draft: 040407
15.
Now I am going to ask about your views on sexual intercourse. For each of the following
statements, please tell me if you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. (MPR Wave 2, 2.5
adapted for parent)

a.

b.

c

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

Having sexual intercourse is a
good thing to do at your teenager’s
age.
It would be against your values for
your teenager to have sexual
intercourse before marriage.
Having sexual intercourse is
something only married people
should do.
It is against (NAME_ADOL/your
teenager’s) values to have sexual
intercourse before (he/she) is
married.
It would be okay for
(NAME_ADOL/your teenager) to
have sexual intercourse if (he/she)
has been dating the same person for
at least one year.
It would be okay for
(NAME_ADOL/your teenager) to
have sexual intercourse before
marriage if he/she plans to marry
the person.
There is little you can do to keep
(NAME_ADOL/your teenager)
from engaging in sexual
intercourse.
It would be okay for
(NAME_ADOL/your teenager) to
have sexual intercourse as long as
he/she and and his/her partner think
that it is okay.
At (NAME_ADOL/your
teenager’s) age, having sexual
intercourse would create problems
or would make life difficult
It would be okay for
(NAME_ADOL/your teenager) to
have sexual intercourse before s/he
leaves high school.
It would be okay for
(NAME_ADOL/your teenager) to
have sexual intercourse if (he/she)
uses birth control

Abt Associates Inc.

Strongly
Agree
01

Agree
02

Disagree
03

Strongly
Disagree
04

REFUSED
97

DON’T
KNOW
98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

Parent Interview

C-8

Draft: 040407
16. Teens can get information about not having sexual intercourse from many sources. I am going to
read you different sources and ask if you favor or oppose your child getting information from each
source. Do you favor or oppose [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] being told by (SOURCE) that
(he/she) should not have sexual intercourse until (he/she) is married?
Kaiser 1996 survey, Question 2, adapted with consolidated response codes and reference to abstinence)

a.

School

b.

A health center, health clinic, or
doctor’s office
A place of worship
A community organization
An Internet website

c.
d.
e.

17.

FAVOR

OPPOSE

01
01

02
02

REFUSED
97
97

01
01
01

02
02
02

97
97
97

DON’T
KNOW
98
98
98
98
98

If (NAME_ADOL/your teenager) could only talk to one person about sex and sexual issues, who
would you want that person be? [CODE FROM LIST]
MOTHER........................................................................................
FATHER.........................................................................................
BROTHER OR SISTER.................................................................
OTHER ADULT RELATIVE (SPECIFY)_________________...
ADULT FRIENDS .........................................................................
FRIENDS (HIS/HER) OWN AGE .................................................
TEACHER ......................................................................................
MINISTER, PRIEST, RABBI ........................................................
DOCTOR OR NURSE....................................................................
OTHER (SPECIFY)_________________ .....................................
DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE ..........................................................
REFUSED.......................................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

01
02
03
03
04
06
07
09
10
11
98
97

Parent Interview

C-9

Draft: 040407
Exposure to abstinence education
18.

In the past year, did [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] take part in a class, program, or event that
talked about waiting until marriage to have sexual intercourse? IF NECESSARY: It could be a
class in school or someplace else. (MPR, adapted re: abstinence)
YES..............................................................................
NO [SKIP TO 19]........................................................
NOT SURE [SKIP TO 19] ..........................................
REFUSED [SKIP TO 19]............................................

18a.

01
02
98
97

[IF YES] Was it at….?

YES

NO

REFUSED

DON’T
KNOW

a.

School

01

02

97

98

b.

A health center, health clinic, or doctor’s office

01

02

97

98

c.

A place of worship

01

02

97

98

d.

A community organization

01

02

97

98

e.

Or some other place (SPECIFY) ____________

01

02

97

98

19.
Has [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] ever made a pledge in public or a written pledge to wait to
have sexual intercourse until marriage? (MPR, Add Health, NSFG, adapted for parent)
YES, DEFINITELY ....................................................
YES, I THINK SO.......................................................
NO, I DON’T THINK SO ...........................................
NO, DEFINITELY NOT .............................................
DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE .......................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
03
04
98
97

Parent Demographics
20.
Next, I would like to ask some questions about you. First, I have a few questions about your
background. IF NECESSARY, ASK: Are you male or female?
MALE ..........................................................................
FEMALE .....................................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
97

C-10

Draft: 040407
21.

Are you Hispanic or (Latino/Latina)?
YES..............................................................................
NO ...............................................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

22.

01
02
97
98

Please select one or more from the following lists to describe your race. (CODE ALL THAT
APPLY)
HELP SCREEN: If the respondent answers “Hispanic” or other ethnicity, probe to find out race.
White ...........................................................................
Black or African-American .........................................
Asian ............................................................................
American Indian or Alaska Native ..............................
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ..................
Other (Specify: _________________________) ........
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

23.

What language do you speak primarily at home?
ENGLISH ....................................................................
SPANISH.....................................................................
ANY OTHER LANGUAGE .......................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

24.

01
02
03
04
05
96
98
97

01
02
02
97
98

In what month and year were you born?

24a.

____ _____ /___ ___ ___ ___ (SKIP TO 25)
MONTH
YEAR
REFUSED (GO TO 24A) ..........................................
DON’T KNOW (GO TO 24A)..................................

97
98

Age in years: ______ _______
REFUSED .................................................................
DON’T KNOW .........................................................

97
98

How old are you?

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

C-11

Draft: 040407
25.

What is your marital status? Are you…
Married or in a marriage-like relationship ...................
Widowed......................................................................
Divorced ......................................................................
Legally separated .........................................................
Never been married......................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

26.

01
02
03
04
05
98
97

Not including yourself (IF NAME_ADOL IS 18: and NAME_ADOL), how many people 18
years old or older live in this household?
NUMBER OF ADULTS: _____________

27.

What is the relationship of this/these adult(s) to NAME_ADOL [CODE ALL THAT APPLY]
MOTHER
BIOLOGICAL.........................................................
STEP........................................................................
FOSTER ..................................................................
ADOPTIVE .............................................................
FATHER
BIOLOGICAL.........................................................
STEP........................................................................
FOSTER ..................................................................
ADOPTIVE .............................................................
SIBLING
BIOLOGICAL.........................................................
STEP........................................................................
FOSTER ..................................................................
ADOPTIVE .............................................................
AUNT/UNCLE..............................................................
GRANDPARENT..........................................................
OTHER FAMILY MEMBER .......................................
OTHER NON-RELATIVE ...........................................
SPECIFY ___________________________ ..........
REFUSED .....................................................................
DON’T KNOW .............................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
97
98

C-12

Draft: 040407
28.

What was the last grade or year of school you completed?
NO FORMAL SCHOOLING......................................
FIRST THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE .......................
SOME HIGH SCHOOL ..............................................
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
TRADE\TECHNICAL\VOCATIONAL AFTER
HIGH SCHOOL......................................................
SOME COLLEGE .......................................................
TWO-YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATE ......................
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATE ....................
POSTGRADUATE......................................................
OTHER (SPECIFY _______________) .....................
DON'T KNOW ............................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

29.

05
06
07
08
09
10
98
97

What is the highest level of education completed by anyone in your household?
NO FORMAL SCHOOLING......................................
FIRST THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE .......................
SOME HIGH SCHOOL ..............................................
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
TRADE\TECHNICAL\VOCATIONAL AFTER
HIGH SCHOOL......................................................
SOME COLLEGE .......................................................
TWO-YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATE ......................
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATE ....................
POSTGRADUATE......................................................
OTHER (SPECIFY _______________) .....................
DON'T KNOW ............................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

30.

01
02
03
04

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
98
97

How far do you expect [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager] will continue in school? Do you think
(he/she) will: (National Household Education Survey (NHES:96):

YES

NO

REFUSED

DON’T
KNOW

a.

Graduate from high school?

01

02

97

98

b.

Attend school after high school?

01

02

97

98

c.

Graduate from a 2-year college

01

02

97

98

d.

Graduate from a 4-year college?

01

02

97

98

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

C-13

Draft: 040407
31.

In the past 12 months, how often did you attend religious services? Would you say…(MPR
version 1, Males, 5.6)
Once a week or more often than that ...........................
2-3 times a month ........................................................
Once a month...............................................................
Less than once a month................................................
Never ...........................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

32.

01
02
03
04
05
98
97

Which of the following categories best describes your household's income before taxes in
(PREVIOUS YEAR)? READ LIST.
$10,000 or less .............................................................
$10,001 to $20,000 ......................................................
$20,001 to $30,000 ......................................................
$30,001 to $40,000 ......................................................
$40,001 to $50,000 ......................................................
$50,001 to $60,000 ......................................................
$60,001 to $70,000 ......................................................
$75,001 or more...........................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
98
97

Telephone Coverage
33.

For statistical purposes, I am now going to ask you about the telephone numbers in your
household. Not counting cellular phones, do you have any other home phone numbers in addition
to (DISPLAY SAMPLE TELEPHONE NUMBER)?
YES..............................................................................
NO (GO TO 35)...........................................................
REFUSED (GO TO 35)...............................................
DON’T KNOW (GO TO 35).......................................
33a.

01
02
97
98

Is this second number for home use only, for business use only, or for both home and
business use?
HOME ONLY .............................................................
BUSINESS ONLY (GO TO 34)..................................
BOTH HOME AND BUSINESS ................................
REFUSED (GO TO 35)...............................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
97
98

C-14

Draft: 040407
33b.

Is this second number used only for computer or fax communication?
YES..............................................................................
NO ...............................................................................
REFUSED (GO TO 35)...............................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

34.

Not counting cellular phones, do you have a third home phone number in addition to the two you
have already told me about?
YES..............................................................................
NO (GO TO 35)...........................................................
REFUSED (GO TO 35)...............................................
DON’T KNOW (GO TO 35).......................................
34a.

34b.

01
02
97
98

Is this third number for home use only, for business use only, or for both home and
business use?
HOME ONLY .............................................................
BUSINESS ONLY (GO TO 35)..................................
BOTH HOME AND BUSINESS ................................
REFUSED (GO TO 35)...............................................
DON’T KNOW (GO TO 35).......................................

01
02
07
97
98

Is this third number used only for computer or fax communication?
YES..............................................................................
NO ...............................................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

35.

01
02
97
98

01
02
97
98

During the past 12 months, has your household been without telephone service for 1 week or
more? Do not include interruptions of phone service due to weather or natural disasters.
YES..............................................................................
NO ...............................................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
97
98

C-15

Draft: 040407
36.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this interview, it’s very important that we interview
(NAME_ADOL) with an adolescent version of the interview you just completed. May we have
your permission to conduct an interview with [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager]?
YES (SKIP TO 37) ......................................................
NO (SKIP TO 36a) ......................................................
REFUSED (GO TO 36a) .............................................
DON’T KNOW (GO TO 36a) .....................................

36a.

01
02
97
98

I understand. What are your concerns or questions? I would like to try and answer them
for you.
WILL RESPONDENT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ADOLESCENT INTERVIEW?
YES (SKIP TO Q37) ...................................................
NO ...............................................................................

36b.

DOES RESPONDENT DENY PERMISSION FOR ADOLESCENT INTERVIEW?
YES (Terminate interview)..........................................
NO ...............................................................................

36c.

01
02

01
02

I understand. Perhaps you need more time to think about this request. When should I
call you back? SET CALLBACK.

37. (Great.) I would like to electronically record that you have given me permission to conduct the
interview with [(NAME_ADOL)/this teenager]. I will use a unique identification number to identify
you and (him/her), so that your names will not be recorded. You just need to answer the question.
Ready?
YES (SKIP TO 38) ......................................................
NO (GO TO 37a) .........................................................
REFUSED (GO TO 37a) .............................................
DON’T KNOW (GO TO 37a) .....................................
37a.

01
02
97
98

I understand. What are your concerns or questions? I would like to try and answer them
for you.
WILL RESPONDENT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ADOLESCENT INTERVIEW?
YES (SKIP TO 38) ......................................................
NO ...............................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02

C-16

Draft: 040407
37b.

DOES RESPONDENT DENY PERMISSION FOR ADOLESCENT INTERVIEW?
YES (Terminate interview)..........................................
NO ...............................................................................
37c.

38.

01
02

I understand. Perhaps you need more time to think about this request. When should I
call you back? SET CALLBACK AND TERMINATE CALL.

INTERVIEWER: START RECORDING AND SAY, “This is (INTERVIEWER NAME) and
my ID is (INTERVIEWER ID). Today is (TODAY’S DATE). I am speaking to the parent of
child (CASE ID) for the Public Education Study, Public Knowledge of Abstinence and
Abstinence Education. (Sir/Ma’am), you just completed an interview about teenage sexual
health and education issues, and now I would like to interview your child. Do I have your
permission to have your child participate in this study?”
RECORD ANSWER AND STOP THE RECORDING. DID RESPONDENT ALLOW
ADOLESCENT TO PARTICIPATE?
YES (STOP RECORDING & GO TO 39)..................
NO (RETURN TO 37a)..............................................

39.

01
02

Those are all the questions that I have for you. Thank you very much for your time. May I speak
with (NAME_ADOL) at this time?
YES, ADOLESCENT COMES TO PHONE ..............
NO, ADOLESCENT NOT HOME [SCHEDULE
APPOINTMENT)........................................................
NO, ADOLESCENT UNAVAILBLE ENTIRE
PERIOD.......................................................................
NO, ADOLESCENT REFUSES [TERMINATE:
USER33]......................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Parent Interview

01
02
03
04

C-17

Appendix D
Adolescent Interview

Draft: 040407

Appendix D: Adolescent Interview
Hello. My name is ________ and I am calling from a company called Abt Associates. We are doing a
study for the US Department of Health and Human Services. You have been randomly chosen for a
national survey sponsored by this government agency. It is a research study of parents and teens. We
want to find out what they think about teens not having sex.
We will not ask any questions about what young people, like you, actually do. We will ask about what
you think and believe and how you talk about this issue. Earlier, we interviewed your [MKP]. Now, we
would like to interview you.
This interview will take about 20 minutes. I will be asking you about a number of issues. All of your
answers will be kept as private as possible. We will not share your answers with your [MKP] or anyone
else in your household. Your answers will only be used for research purposes. This means that your
answers and those of your (MKP) will be combined with those of other teens and parents. Your names
will not be connected with your answers.
Completing this survey is your choice. Even though your [MKP] gave us permission to interview you,
you may choose not to take part in this study. You may choose not to answer any question for any
reason. You can stop at any time. If I ask a question you don’t want to answer, just let me know and I’ll
go on to the next one.
Finally, to grade my performance, my supervisor may record and listen as I ask the questions.
A. Would you like to take part in this study?
YES [ASK 1] ...............................................................
NO [GO TO B] ............................................................
REFUSED [GO TO B] ................................................
DON’T KNOW [GO TO C] .......................................

01
02
97
98

B. I understand. I want to thank you very much for your time. Have a good (day/evening). Good-bye
C. Can I answer any (other) questions for you?
YES [ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS, GO TO A] .......
NO [GO TO D]............................................................
REFUSED [GO TO B] ................................................
DON’T KNOW [GO TO D] .......................................

01
02
97
98

D. I understand. Do you need more time to think about this?
YES [SCHEDULE CALLBACK]...............................
NO [GO TO B] ............................................................
REFUSED [GO TO B] ................................................
DON’T KNOW [SCHEDULE CALLBACK] ...........

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
97
98

D-1

Draft: 040407

1.

In what month and year were you born?
__/____

2.

Are you currently enrolled in school?
YES [ASK 2a] .............................................................
NO [ASK 2b]...............................................................
REFUSED [SKIP TO 3]..............................................
DON’T KNOW [SKIP TO 3].....................................

01
02
97
98

2a. [IF YES] What grade are you in?
GRADE 6 ....................................................................
GRADE 7 ....................................................................
GRADE 8 ....................................................................
GRADE 9 (freshman) ..................................................
GRADE 10 (sophomore) .............................................
GRADE 11 (junior) .....................................................
GRADE 12 (senior) .....................................................
OTHER ___________________________ .................

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

2b. [IF NO] What was the last grade you completed?
5th GRADE OR LESS..................................................
GRADE 6 ....................................................................
GRADE 7 ....................................................................
GRADE 8 ....................................................................
GRADE 9 (freshman) ..................................................
GRADE 10 (sophomore) .............................................
GRADE 11 (junior) .....................................................
GRADE 12 (senior) .....................................................
OTHER ___________________________ .................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
98
97

D-2

Draft: 040407
3.

How often do you and your (MKP) do things together that you personally enjoy? (MPR Wave 1,
1.14)
Once a week or more often than that ........................... 01
2-3 times a month ........................................................ 02
Once a month............................................................... 03
Less than once a month................................................ 04
Never ........................................................................... 05
DON’T KNOW ........................................................... 98
REFUSED ................................................................... 97

4.

Would you say your relationship with your (MKP) is…
Very good ....................................................................
Fairly good...................................................................
Fairly poor ...................................................................
Very poor .....................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

5.

01
02
03
04
98
97

Please think about the past 12 months. How often did you attend religious services or programs?
(MPR version 1, Males, 5.6)
Once a week or more often than that ...........................
2-3 times a month ........................................................
Once a month...............................................................
Less than once a month................................................
Never ...........................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
03
04
05
98
97

D-3

Draft: 040407

Parent-teen communication re: abstinence and other messages
6.

Now I would like to ask you some questions about the kinds of things you talk to your [MKP]
about. We have tried to use terms that young teens as well as older ones will understand. Some
of these terms may seem simple. But, if you have questions about what we mean, please ask me.
How many times have you ever talked with your [MKP] about (INSERT ISSUE)? Would you
say never, once or twice, or more than twice? (MPR Wave 2, 3.16)

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

f.

g.
h.

7.

The basics of how babies are made,
pregnancy, or birth
Sexually transmitted diseases, STDs, or
HIV/AIDS
How to have good relationships
How to behave on dates
How to resist pressures to have sexual
intercourse. By sexual intercourse, we mean
“going all the way” or the act by which
babies are made.
Waiting to have sexual intercourse until you
are married. IF NECESSARY: By sexual
intercourse, we mean “going all the way,”
the act by which babies are made.
Avoiding drugs and alcohol
How religious values relate to sexual
intercourse

Never
01

1-2
times
02

>2
times
03

DK
Ref

97

98

01

02

03

97

98

01
01
01

02
02
02

03
03
03

97
97
97

98
98
98

01

02

03

97

98

01
01

02
02

03
03

97
97

98
98

During the past year, have you had conversations with your parents about sex or sexual issues?
YES .............................................................................
NO ..............................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
98
97

D-4

Draft: 040407
8.

With which parent do you talk the most about sex or sexual issues? [new question]
MKP............................................................................. 01
NON-MKP................................................................... 02
Both the same .............................................................. 03
Neither [SKIP TO 9] …………………………….
04
OTHER (specify) _________________________ ...... 05
DON’T KNOW ........................................................... 98
REFUSED ................................................................... 97

8a. How often during the past year have you and your parents talked about what is right and
wrong or good and bad about having sex? (MPR)
Never ..........................................................................
One or two times..........................................................
More than two times ....................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................
9.

01
02
02
98
97

I’m about to ask you some questions that you might not want to answer out loud. If you are using
a push button phone, you can use the number pad on your phone to tell me what your answer is.
Again, this helps keep your answers extra private. Would you like to use this technology with
me?
YES... Okay. Here’s the first question (READ DG TEXT)...............................
NO... Okay. Let’s continue then.........................................................................
Don’t know... It’s turned on. Tell me when you want to use it. Here’s the
first question.........................................................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
98

D-5

Draft: 040407
DG10. In general, how close do you feel to your (MKP)? Would you say you are….(MPR Wave 1, 1.15)
DIGIT GRABBER: Let me read the choices first before you give me your answer. If you are not
at all close, press 1; if you are a little close, press 2; if you are close, press 3; if you are very close,
press 4.
Not at all close .............................................................
A little close.................................................................
Close ............................................................................
Very close ....................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
03
04
98
97

DG11. How comfortable are you talking to your (MKP) about sex? Would you say you are…(MPR
Wave 2, 4.8 adapted to 4 point scale instead of 3 point)
DIGIT GRABBER: If you are not at all comfortable, press 1. If you are a little comfortable,
press 2. If you are comfortable, press 3. If you are very comfortable, press 4.
Not at all comfortable ..................................................
A little comfortable......................................................
Comfortable .................................................................
Very comfortable .........................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
03
04
98
97

DG12. How comfortable do you think your [MKP] is talking to you about sex? (new question)
DIGIT GRABBER: If you think s/he is not at all comfortable, press 1. If s/he is a little
comfortable, press 2. If s/he is comfortable, press 3. If s/he is very comfortable, press 4.
Not at all comfortable ..................................................
A little comfortable......................................................
Comfortable .................................................................
Very comfortable .........................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
03
04
98
97

D-6

Draft: 040407
Attitudes about abstinence
DG13. Now, I want to get your opinions about sexual intercourse. Again, by sexual intercourse, we
mean “going all the way,” the act by which babies are made. (Please use the number buttons on
your phone to give me answers, so no one can overhear you.) For each of the following
statements, (tell me) if you strongly agree, (press 1; if you) agree, (press 2; if you) disagree,
(press 3); or if you strongly disagree, (press 4). (MPR Wave 2, 2.5)

a.
b.

c.

Having sexual intercourse is a good
thing for you to do at your age.
It would be against your values for
you to have sexual intercourse
before marriage.
Having sexual intercourse is
something only married people
should do.

Strongly
Agree
01

Agree
02

Disagree
03

Strongly
Disagree
04

REFUSED
97

DON’T
KNOW
98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

d.

It would be okay for you to have
sexual intercourse if you have
been dating the same person for
at least one year.

01

02

03

04

97

98

e.

It would be okay for you to have
sexual intercourse before marriage
if you plan to marry the person.
It would be okay for you to have
sexual intercourse as long as
you and your partner think that it
is okay.
At your age, having sexual
intercourse would create problems
or would make your life difficult.
It would be okay for you to have
sexual intercourse before you leave
high school.
It is okay for you to have sexual
intercourse if you use a condom or
some other kind of birth control.
It would be against your (MKP’s)
values for you to have sexual
intercourse before you are married.

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

01

02

03

04

97

98

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

D-7

Draft: 040407
DG14. Thinking about conversations you have had with your parents, which of the following statements
describes what your parents have told you about having sexual intercourse. (new question, Zogby
response categories)

a.

Young people should not engage in sexual

YES

NO

REFUSED

DON’T
KNOW

01

02

97

98

intercourse until they are married.
b.

Young people should not engage in
sexual intercourse until they are in a
relationship with someone they feel they
would like to marry.

01

02

97

98

c.

Young people should not engage in
sexual intercourse until they have, at
least, finished high school.

01

02

97

98

d.

It’s okay for young people to engage in
sexual intercourse as long as condoms
are used to protect against sexually
transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

01

02

97

98

DG15. Which of the statements best describes what you would like to hear from your parents? Let me
read you all the choices before you answer. (new question, Zogby response categories)
Young people should not engage in sexual intercourse until they
are married. . ...................................................................................
Young people should not engage in sexual intercourse until they
have, at least, finished high school and are in a relationship with
someone they feel they would like to marry...................................
Young people should not engage in sexual intercourse until they
have, at least, finished high school..................................................
It’s okay for young people in school to engage in sexual
intercourse as long as they use condoms to protect against
sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy ..................................
DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE ..........................................................
REFUSED.......................................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

01

02
03

04
98
97

Adolescent Interview

D-8

Draft: 040407
Exposure to abstinence education
16.

Now I am going to read you some topics that may be covered in a class or other programs. For
each topic I read, please tell me if the topic was included in a class or program you have
participated in.
[New question]; response categories for Kaiser, Sex Education in America]

YES

NO

REFUSED

DON’T
KNOW

a.

The basics of how babies are made, pregnancy, or
birth.

01

02

97

98

b.

How to have good relationships

01

02

97

98

c.

How to behave on dates

01

02

97

98

d.

How to resist pressures to have sexual intercourse.
IF NECESSARY: By sexual intercourse, we
mean” going all the way,” the act by which babies
are made.

01

02

97

98

e.

Waiting to have sexual intercourse until you are
married. IF NECESSARY: By sexual intercourse,
we mean “going all the way,” the act by which
babies are made.

01

02

97

98

f.

How religious values relate to sexual intercourse

01

02

97

98

g.

Avoiding drugs and alcohol

01

02

97

98

IF ALL ANSWERS IN 16 ARE NO, SKIP TO 18
17.

Please tell me where you took classes or took part in a program that talked about (LIST YES
RESPONSES IN 13)? Was it at …[CODE ALL THAT APPLY]
YES

NO

REFUSED

DON’T
KNOW

a.

School

01

02

97

98

b.

A health center, health clinic, or doctor’s office

01

02

97

98

c.

A place of worship

01

02

97

98

d.

A community organization

01

02

97

98

e.

Or some other place (SPECIFY) ____________

01

02

97

98

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

D-9

Draft: 040407
DG18. Have you ever used an educational website to get information on how to resist pressures to have
sexual intercourse?
YES .............................................................................
NO ..............................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

01
02
98

DG19. If you could only talk to one person about sex and sexual issues, who would that person be? [DO
NOT READ CATEGORIES. CODE FROM LIST.]
MOTHER........................................................................................
FATHER.........................................................................................
BROTHER OR SISTER.................................................................
OTHER ADULT RELATIVE (SPECIFY)_________________...
ADULT FRIENDS .........................................................................
FRIENDS MY OWN AGE.............................................................
TEACHER ......................................................................................
BROTHER OR SISTER .................................................................
MINISTER, PRIEST, RABBI ........................................................
DOCTOR OR NURSE....................................................................
OTHER (SPECIFY)_________________ .....................................
DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE ..........................................................
REFUSED.......................................................................................

01
02
03
03
04
06
07
08
09
10
11
98
97

DG20. Now think about your closest friends who are your age and who you spend the most time with.
How many of these friends think someone should wait until marriage before having sexual
intercourse? Would you say…
DIGIT GRABBER: If none of them, press 1. If some of them, press 2. If most of them, press 3.
If all of them, press 4. (MPR Wave 1, 3.46, adapted)
None.............................................................................
Some of them...............................................................
Most of the them..........................................................
All of them...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

01
02
03
04
98
97

D-10

Draft: 040407
DG21. How many of these friends think it is okay for young people your age to have sexual intercourse?
Would you say…
DIGIT GRABBER: If none of them, press 1. If some of them press 2. If most of them, press 3.
If all of them, press 4.
None.............................................................................
Some of them...............................................................
Most of the them..........................................................
All of them...................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
03
04
98
97

DG22. How often do you talk to these friends about sexual values? Would you say (new question)
Often ..........................................................................
Sometimes ..................................................................
Never
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................

01
02
03
98

DG23. Have you ever made a pledge in public or a written pledge not to have sexual intercourse until
you are married? (MPR, Add Health, NSFG)
Yes ...............................................................................
No ................................................................................
DON’T KNOW ...........................................................
REFUSED ...................................................................

01
02
98
97

That’s all the questions I have. Thank you very much for talking to me today.

Abt Associates Inc.

Adolescent Interview

D-11

Appendix E
60-day Notice

Appendix F
Comments in Response to Federal Register Notice

Appendix F: Comments in Response to Federal
Register Notice
Comment #1 (by email)
From: PSC David Gilden
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 12:20 PM
To: InfoCollection (ACF)
Subject: Teen/Parent Survey
I wish to comment on the proposed telephone survey that will collect information on “Public
Knowledge of Abstinence and Abstinence Education” (Federal Register document 06-9224).
Please send me a copy of the information collection instrument (the draft telephone survey).
Thank-you,
David Gilden
th
230 W. 95 St., #24
New York, NY 10025 USA
[email protected]
tel.: 718/788-3060
fax: 718/228-6588

Abt Associates Inc.

Comments in Response to Federal Register Notice

F-1

Comment #2 (by email)
-----Original Message----From: InfoCollection (ACF)
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:36 AM
To: Haven, Claire (ACF)
Subject: FW: I would like to comment of this issue. I strongly beleif
that abstinance is not the method to promo

-----Original Message----From: Cheryl Stevens [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 10:37 AM
To: InfoCollection (ACF)
Subject: I would like to comment of this issue. I strongly beleif that
abstinance is not the method to promo
I would like to comment of this issue. I strongly belief that
abstinence is not the method to promote. It has proven in our area that
it is not being followed by the youth, even for those in the federally
funded abstinence programs. The youth President of our local program
funded through this grant program and the Vice President had a child
together. They are 16 & 17 years of age.
We need to understand that abstinence is just not a reality, nor has it
ever been a reality. What we need to promote along with possible
abstinence is birth control or other methods. This is not "promoting"
our children to be sexually active, because they already are, it's just
making them more responsible to prevent unwed childbirth or teen
pregnancy. You could use the same methods as far as STD's and other
issues in the education but include birth control. You can still
encourage abstinence, but we must be real here.
We must encourage open communication as well with our youth and adults,
teach them how to talk to each other about their concerns on this issue.
Don't make it a taboo so they are afraid to even bring it up, but teach
parents and their children how to approach the subject and come to
positive and preventive results.
I am a mother of 5 children, 2 boys and 3 girls (current ages are 28 18) and have gone through this with all my children.
Three are
currently married, and one is an unwed mother, who was on birth control
when she became pregnant. She is in college and will finish this year,
and we support her greatly. So as a mother, a Head Coach, I know what I
am talking about. I have had many girls have come to talk to me that are
afraid to talk to their parents over the years including my own
children, about sex, birth control, and only one student has ever talked
about abstinence, and this was my daughter. And she only was abstinent
until she was 18. She is now 20 and just got married.
I feel that abstinence is a religous taboo that old legislators think is
the right thing to teach. Do they really think that this is happening
in today's day and age? No! And it wasn't happening in their day and
age either, nor was is happening way back when for Adam and Eve!
And although many mothers think their children are abstinent, bottom
line is they just are not.
Thank you for his opportunity to give my comments.
Cheryl Stevens

Abt Associates Inc.

Comments in Response to Federal Register Notice

F-2

Comment #3 (by email)
-----Original Message----From: InfoCollection (ACF)
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:47 AM
To: Haven, Claire (ACF)
Subject: FW: PUBLIC COMMENT ON FEDERAL REGISTER OF 11/16/06 VOL 71 PG
66787

-----Original Message----From: jean public [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 10:21 AM
To: InfoCollection (ACF); [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: PUBLIC COMMENT ON FEDERAL REGISTER OF 11/16/06 VOL 71 PG 66787
FED REG DOC 06 9224
THIS SURVEY RE INVENTS THE WHEEL. THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN DONE OVER AND
OVER AND OVER OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER SURVEY.
THEY DONT USE ABSTINENCE BECAUSE THEYARE NOT TAUGHT MORALS OR HEALTH
SUFFICIENTLY AND BECAUSE THEY DONT WANT TO. THEY ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO
BUY BIRTH CONTROL IF THEY NEED TO SO THAT THE PREGNANCY DOESNT HAPPEN.
IT IS CLEAR IN LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS GETTING ON THE WELFARE GRAVY TRAIN
MAKES HAVING BABIES AN EASIER LIFE STYLE FOR YOUNG WOMEN. YOU LIVE ON
THE MONEY YOU GET FROM HAVING BABIES.
THIS WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS CHANGE. CERTAINLY THIS SURVEY DOES NOTHING TO
HELP AND IS SIMPLY A WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS SINCE THE RESEARCH HAS BEEN
DONE FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS ON THIS SUBJECT. WE DONT NEED TO BUY MORE
RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE OR MORE SURVEYS.
HOW MANY YEARS DOES THIS DEPT NEED TO "STUDY"? WHAT USELESS SPENDING IS
DONE WITH OUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS.
B. SACHAU
15 ELM ST
FLORHAM PARK NJ 07932

Abt Associates Inc.

Comments in Response to Federal Register Notice

F-3

Appendix G
Advance Letter with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

[DATE]

[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
Dear Resident:
I am writing to ask for your help with an important health study. The US Department of Health
and Human Services is conducting a national research study on health. Within the next few
weeks, you will receive a call from an Abt Associates interviewer. The interviewer will conduct
a short telephone interview with you to see if your household qualifies for this study. If your
household has at least one child aged 12 to 18 years, we would like to interview the parent or
guardian of the child. Afterwards, and with the parent’s permission, we would like to interview
the child. Each interview will last about 20-minutes, on average.
Your household has been randomly selected for this study. You may choose to participate in this
study or not. If you decide to participate, you may, of course, decline to answer any particular
question. All information you give will be kept private and used only in summary form.
I have included additional information on the back of this letter. If you have questions about this
study, please call Abt Associates, toll-free, at 1-8xx-XXX-XXXX.
We hope you will agree to be part of this important health study. Thank you in advance for your
help.
Very truly yours,

Gretchen Locke
Project Director

Abt Associates Inc.

Advance Letter with FAQs

G-1

Who is sponsoring this study?

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the US Department of
Health and Human Services is sponsoring this research study. ACF is a federal agency
responsible for promoting the well-being of families and children.
Who is Abt Associates?

Abt Associates is the contractor that the ACF has chosen to conduct the interviews for
this study.
There are no people in my household who are between the ages of 12 and 18. Do I need
to participate?

If you do not have an adolescent between the ages of 12 and 18 in your household,
we still need to confirm that with you when we call. The call will be brief.
Who will be interviewed?

We will need to ask an adult about your household to see if you qualify. If your
household is eligible for this research study, we would first interview the parent of the
adolescent who is selected for the study. Then, with the parent’s permission, we
would ask the adolescent to participate in a similar interview.
How long will the telephone interview take?

The initial interview will take about five minutes. Depending on your answers, two
members of your household may be asked to be part of a second interview. Each of
these interviews lasts about 20 minutes
How do I know my information will be kept private?

Confidentiality is required by law. Only Abt Associates staff will know that you took
part in this study. They will not share identifying information, such as your phone
number, with the ACF.
All staff at Abt Associates sign pledges of confidentiality. If they reveal any private
information, they will be subject to fines and imprisonment.
Findings from this study will be published only in summary form. US law requires that
your name not be linked with any information you provide.
Whom can I call to find out more about this study?

If you have questions about this study, contact [Survey Manager] at Abt Associates.
[Survey Manager’s] toll free number is: 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx.
If you have questions about your rights as a participant in this research study, please
contact Marianne Beauregard, Director of the Abt Associates Institutional Review Board
at 1-617-349-2852. Please note that this telephone number may be a toll call.

Abt Associates Inc.

Advance Letter with FAQs

G-2