Transcript General Social Survey

General Social Survey
Housing, Family and Social
Statistics Division
GSS Objectives
The two primary objectives of the General Social
Survey (GSS) are:
to gather data on social trends in order to
monitor changes in the living conditions and
wellbeing of Canadians over time; and
to provide immediate information on specific
social policy issues of current or emerging
interest.
GSS Overview
The GSS program, established in 1985,
conducts telephone surveys from a sample
selected across the 10 provinces. The GSS
is recognized for its regular collection of
cross-sectional data that allows for trend
analysis, and its capacity to test and
develop new concepts to address
emerging issues.
History of the GSS
In the mid 1980’s spending on social programs
was rising quickly
Few social statistics programs at Statistics
Canada
GSS developed to fill this need for data
Over the years, the GSS has introduced various
themes and topics
Some of the surveys, e.g. Health and Education
have their own survey programs now
GSS Topics and Sample Size
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1985
1986
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Health
Time Use
Personal Risk
Education and Work
Family and Friends
Health
Time Use
11,200
16,390
9,870
9,338
13,495
11,924
9,815
GSS Topics and Sample Size
8. 1993
9. 1994
10. 1995
11. 1996
12. 1998
13. 1999
14. 2000
Personal Risk
Education and Work
Family
Social Support
Time Use
Victimization
Technology
10,385
11,876
10,749
12,756
10,749
25,876
25,090
GSS Topics and Sample Size
15. 2001
16. 2002
17. 2003
18. 2004
Family History
24,310
Social Support
24,870
and Aging
Social Engagement
25,000
(to be released July 2004)
Victimization
25,000
(to be released summer 2005)
GSS Methodology
The survey collects data over a 12-month
period from the population living in private
households in the 10 provinces.
For all cycles except Cycle 16, the
population aged 15 and older has been
sampled. Cycle 16 only sampled persons
aged 45 and older.
GSS Methodology
Computer assisted telephone interviewing
(CATI) is used to collect data for the GSS.
Coverage is very good as less than 2% of
households in the 10 provinces do not
have telephones.
Response rates for the GSS are typically
around 80%.
GSS Sample Size
In 1999, the sample size was increased from
10,000 to approximately 25,000
With a sample of 25,000, basic estimates are
available at both the national and provincial
levels.
Depending on the survey topic, the increased
sample size may also be sufficient to produce
estimates for small population groups such as
persons with disabilities, people in visible
minorities and seniors. However, the sample size
is not large enough to produce estimates for
Aboriginal peoples.
GSS Themes – Time Use
Major subjects surveyed in 1998 –
General time use
Time use diary
Child care diary
Unpaid work
Time crunch
Culture and sports
Classification variables
GSS Themes – Time Use
Three cycles of data available - 1986,
1992 and 1998
1986 collection was only for one month
The data has been used to study –
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Time crunch
Division of labour in the household
Commuting
Time use pre and post life transitions
GSS Themes - Victimization
Major subjects surveyed in 1999 –
Perceptions of safety and risk
Criminal victimization
Abuse and violence by a partner or ex-partner
Senior abuse
Classification variables
GSS Themes - Victimization
Three cycles of data – 1988, 1993 and 1999
The 2004 GSS is the fourth collection of
victimization data
The data has been used to study –
 Family violence
 Spousal violence after separation
 Attitudes towards the justice system
 Perceptions of policing
GSS Themes - Family
Major subjects surveyed in 2001Family origins
Marriages and common-law
Children
Fertility intentions
Work history
Education history
Classification variables
GSS Themes - Family
Three cycles of data available – 1990, 1995
and 2001
The data has been used to study –
 Common law unions
 Fertility intentions
 Extended and blended families
 Leaving the nest
GSS Themes – Social Support
Major subjects surveyed in 2002 –
Activities
Health status and well-being
Care giving to seniors
Care received by seniors
Housing
Social contact
Classification variables
GSS Themes – Social Support
Two cycles of data – 1996 and 2002 for
seniors
The data has been used to study –
 Eldercare in Canada
 Short term care-giving
 Economic and social impacts on caregivers
 Unmet needs of seniors
 Palliative care
GSS Themes – Retirement
Major subjects surveyed in 2002 –
Retirement planning
Retirement experience
Social contact
Education
Main activity
Classification variables
GSS Themes – Retirement
Two cycles of data – 1994 and 2002
The data has been used to study –
 Transitions to retirement
 Returning to work after retirement
 Changing retirement plans
 Reasons for retirement
 Spousal effect on deciding to retire
General Social Survey
For more information contact –
Susan Stobert,
Manager, GSS
Telephone: (613) 951-6496
Email: [email protected]