Skip to main content

Table 2 Underlying questions of key predictor and outcome variables

From: Assessing health outcomes in the aftermath of the great recession: a comparison of Spain and the Netherlands

Expected component

Variable name

Scale

ESS question

Financial security

Using this card, please tell me which letter describes your household’s total income, after tax and compulsory deductions, from all sources?

1 = first decile; 10 = tenth decile

F41

Which of the descriptions on this card comes closest to how you feel about your household’s income nowadays?

1 = very difficult on present income; 4 = very easy on present income

F42

What was your main activity in the past 7 days?

1 = employed; 0 = unemployed

F17a

Mental health

Taking all things together, how happy would you say you are?

1 = very unhappy; 10 = very happy

C1

How satisfied are you with your life as a whole?

1 = very unsatisfied; 10 = very satisfied

B20

When was the last time you felt depressed?

1 = all or almost all of the time; 4 = none or almost none of the time

E20

When was the last time you felt that everything you did was an effort?

1 = all or almost all of the time; 4 = none or almost none of the time

E21

When was the last time your sleep was restless?

1 = all or almost all of the time; 4 = none or almost none of the time

E22

Physical health

How is your health in general?

1 = very bad; 5 = very good

C7

Are you hampered in your daily activities in any way by any longstanding illness, or disability, infirmity or mental health problem?

1 = yes, a lot; 2 = yes, somewhat; 3 = no

C8

Have you or ever have you had the health problems listed on the showcard? (diabetes, heart/circulation problems, breathing problems or high blood pressure)

0 = yes; 1 = no

E30

Social health

Compared to other people of your age, how often would you say you take part in social activities?

1 = much less than most; 5 = much more than most

C2

How often do you meet socially with friends, relatives or work colleagues?

1 = never; 7 = every day

C4

How many people, if any, are there with whom you can discuss intimate and personal matters?

1 = none; 6 = 10 or more

C3