Life at age 14: initial findings from the Growing Up in Scotland study

Growing Up in Scotland is a longitudinal study following the lives of young people. The report is based on data collected in 2019/20, when participants were 14 years, from 2,943 families. The report presents high level findings relating to young people’s experiences across a range of life domains.


Footnotes

1. Growing Up in Scotland

2. Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

3. 'Schoolwork' referred to work young people do in both class and at home.

4. A small minority (0.8%) of young people were already 16 at the interview. These young people were asked whether they wanted to stay on at school or college full-time when they had finished S4.

5. In cases where no interview was conducted at sweep 9, respondents are asked about the period two years prior to their sweep 10 interview.

6. This question was asked of 'parent 1, which is the parent who responded to the survey. Where the young people had two parents (either living with them or elsewhere) the young person was also asked these questions about 'parent 2'.

7. The sixth statements asked to young people and their parents are not directly comparable – 'I can count on them to help me when I have a problem' and 'I can tell when child is upset about something' respectively.

8. 'Anyone' referred to the following question wording: Now thinking about other people in your life including your family, your friends, teachers, as well as people you don't know (e.g. people in the street).

9. Due to these figures being based on a small subsample, this translates to 2.5% of all young people.

10. As above, 1.3% of all young people.

11. As above, 2.6% of all young people were 14, 0.7% were 13 or younger and 0.4% were 15 years old.

12. It should be noted that the majority of respondents had not turned 15 when they completed the interview.

13. Spending money referred to money young people could spend on themselves in whatever way they chose.

14. 'Regular' referred to at least once a week, for three months or more. Young people were asked to include activities that were organised by their school but only the ones that took place outside of school hours, such as after school or at the weekend.

15. Young people were asked to only include activities that take place outside of school hours, such as after school or at the weekend.

16. This option in full was 'uniformed youth (e.g. Girl Guiding, Scouts, Cadets, Boys/Girls Brigade)'.

17. Caring responsibilities were defined as 'look after, or give any regular help or support to, family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability; or problems related to old age'.

18. Please note these results are based on a subsample of 306.

19. Figures for smoking and use of alcohol combine data from both Sweep 9 and Sweep 10. Sub-group analysis was not conducted.

20. Question wording: Now thinking about drugs other than cannabis. By 'other drugs' we mean things like ecstasy, speed, or cocaine, or misuse of prescription drugs, inhalants, glue or 'legal highs'.

21. Please note a low base size of 47 for this question.

22. Question wording: Some people experience feeling depressed or that they lose interest in things they usually enjoy. Have you ever in your life had a period lasting several days or longer when most of the day you felt depressed, or when you lost interest in most things you usually enjoy like school and hobbies?

23. Respondents were shown the following clarification text: We're interested in activity that increases your heart rate and makes you get out of breath some of the time, no matter if it's as part of organised activities or when you're with your friends. Some examples are running, walking quickly, cycling, dancing, skateboarding, swimming, or doing sports.

24. UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines

25. Respondents were shown the following clarification text; We're interested in any activity that increases your heart rate and makes you get out of breath some of the time. Some examples are running, walking quickly, cycling, and swimming. Please do not include any time spent at work, but do include time at the weekend.

26. Young people were asked to only include time when they were asleep and not to include any time they might spend lying in bed before falling asleep.

27. How much sleep do children need? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

28. Young people were asked to only include time when they were asleep and not to include any time they might spend lying in bed before falling asleep.

Contact

Email: GUS@gov.scot

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