Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) [Genesee County, Michigan] Series

The Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) Series aims to investigate the types of romantic relationships that produce early and/or unintended pregnancies. The series is based on a representative sample of 1,003 women aged 18 to 22 residing in Genesee County, Michigan. The research team focused on women ages 18 to 22 because these ages are characterized by the highest rates of unintended pregnancy, as well as significant instability and change in the dynamic determinants of unintended pregnancy. Genesee County, Michigan was selected for the RDSL study due to the significant number of African Americans residing there, and because the area is characterized by significant variation in economic circumstances, allowing the collection of data from poor African Americans, poor Whites, middle-class African Americans, and middle-class Whites within a single geographic area. Please consult the crosswalk to determine which level of restriction is required for research.

Data collection for the baseline survey was conducted March 2008 through July 2009. The baseline survey was followed by a series of three supplemental surveys administered over a two-and-a-half year period between May 2009 and August 2011. The public and highly restricted versions of the Baseline and Supplement Survey and Journal datasets are available as ICPSR 34626. The restricted version of the RDSL Baseline and Supplement Survey data is available as ICPSR 36565.

Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) Public-Use Data
The Public-Use RDSL data is freely and publicly available. The data includes variables (many collapsed) related to school attendance, sexual activity and pregnancies, partner information, family income and public assistance, and some journal data. (more).

Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) Restricted-Use Data
The Restricted-Use RDSL data requires an online application. The data includes full variables that had been collapsed in the Public-Use data in addition to variables related to race, detailed sexual activity and pregnancy information, marital status, intimate partner violence, living arrangements, interviewer observations of person and home environment, and drug and alcohol use. (more).

Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) Highly Restricted-Use Data
The Highly Restricted-Use RDSL data requires an online application. The data includes full variables that had been collapsed in the Restricted-Use data in addition to variables related to interview dates, religion, birth date, height/weight, prostitution, disabilities, social life journal supplement data (167 variables), and journal data. (more).