This variable is only available in MAP, MARS, and LATC.

Family problems and separation is a subscale of total adverse experiences during childhood. The variable is assessed using 8 questions about family problems and family separation covering the period of time from birth to 18 years of age. Participants are asked to respond yes=1 or no=0 to each question. The subscale score ranges from 0 to 8 and is the sum of the individual items, with higher scores indicating more family problems and/or separation.

Participants are asked the following questions:

When you were growing up...

Family problems:

1. was a household member depressed or mentally ill?
2. did a household member attempt suicide?
3. was a household member a problem drinker or alcoholic?
4. did a household member go to prison?

Family separation:

1. were you ever hospitalized for two weeks or more?
2. did you ever have an experience that was so frightening that you thought about it for years?
3. were you ever separated from your mother for a year or more?
4. did your parents ever separate or divorce?