The APEAL Lab primarily uses data collected as part of large ongoing studies. This allows us to take advantage of very large sample sizes and studies that have followed individuals for many years. Although many data sources are available (national and international), some of those most commonly used in the lab are listed below.
National Longitudinal Study of Children and Youth (NLSCY) The NLSCY is a prospective cohort study that has followed 16,903 Canadian children since 1994. A nationally representative sample of households with children aged 0-11 years was selected to participate in the study. The child surveys have been completed every two years, with the most recent data collection in 2006/07. Data collected include information on development, health, behaviour, and many other factors. Mental health assessments include symptoms of depression and anxiety, aggressive behaviour, substance use, and suicidal thoughts.
National Population Health Survey (NPHS) The NPHS is a prospective cohort study administered by Statistics Canada following 17,276 Canadians aged 12 and older since 1994. Data in the NPHS have been collected every two years, with the most recent data available collected in 2008/09. The NPHS provides detailed information on health, behaviour, and a variety of other factors. Mental health assessments include depression, alcohol abuse, psychological distress, and self-reports of mood and anxiety disorders.
Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) The CCHS is a cross sectional survey of Canadians aged 12 and older that collected information related to health status, health care utilization and health determinants. Prior to 2007, data collection occurred every two years. Data are available for the 2001, 2003 and 2005 periods. In 2007, major changes were made to the survey design and data collection now occurs every year. Sample sizes are as high as 129,000 in single waves. Mental health assessments include depression, alcohol abuse, psychological distress, and self-reports of mood and anxiety disorders.
Stirling County Study The Stirling Country study is a three-wave study of adults in Atlantic Canada. It is one of the longest running studies of psychiatric disorders – it dates back to the early 1950s. The Stirling County Study is a community-based study which included psychiatric assessments gathered primarily in 3 waves: 1952, 1970, and 1992. The focus is primarily on depression and anxiety, and involved clinical interviews of all survey members. These data have been linked to mortality records at Statistics Canada.
