Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of American Youth, 2024 [Restricted-Use] (ICPSR 39446)
Version Date: Mar 11, 2026 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
Richard A. Miech, University of Michigan. Institute for Social Research. Survey Research Center;
Lloyd D. Johnston, University of Michigan. Institute for Social Research. Survey Research Center;
Megan E. Patrick, University of Michigan. Institute for Social Research. Survey Research Center;
Patrick M. O'Malley, University of Michigan. Institute for Social Research. Survey Research Center
Series:
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39446.v2
Version V2 (see more versions)
Summary View help for Summary
This data collection is part of the Monitoring the Future series that explores changes in important values, behaviors, and lifestyle orientations of contemporary American youth in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades. The restricted data sets in this collection include variables that were altered or omitted from the public use data sets to maintain respondent confidentiality. Examples of variables included in their original form are: unaltered sampling weight variable, variables for strata and cluster to account for the complex sample design of the MTF, and previously-omitted data on some variables for the Western region of the US. For each year from 1976 through 2017, two data sets containing data for all three grades are available: one dataset including school-level state, county, and Zip Code variables, and one dataset without these geographic school-level variables. For 2018-2022, data sets were created separately for 8th/10th and 12th grades, resulting in four data sets. This split on grade was done to mirror the data availability of the public use files and facilitate the merging of the public and restricted use data. For 2023 forward, only two data sets are provided: one for the 8th and 10th grades, and one for the 12th grade. Please note: Use of the geographic identifiers such as state, county, or zip code is limited and researchers interested in these variables are encouraged to read FAQs: About MTF Restricted-Use Geographic Variables.
Also included as part of each annual collection is a zip archive of the Monitoring the Future public-use data and documentation for each respective year. The basic research design used by the Monitoring the Future study involves annual data collections from eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders throughout the contiguous United States during the spring of each year. The 8th/10th grade surveys consist of four different questionnaire forms (two forms from 1991-1996), and the 12th grade surveys consist of six questionnaire forms (five forms from 1976-1988). Identical forms are used for both eighth and tenth grades, and for the most part, questionnaire content is drawn from the twelfth-grade questionnaires. Thus, key demographic variables and measures of substance use and related attitudes and beliefs are generally identical for all three grades. However, many fewer questions about lifestyles and values are included in the 8th/10th grade surveys. Substance use covered by these surveys includes tobacco, smokeless tobacco, alcohol, marijuana/cannabis, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, inhalants, steroids, LSD and other hallucinogens, amphetamines (stimulants), sedatives/barbiturates, tranquilizers, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, heroin, narcotics other than heroin, and vaping of nicotine, marijuana/cannabis, and flavors. Other topics include: attitudes toward religion, changing roles for women, educational aspirations, self-esteem, exposure to drug education, and violence and crime (both in and out of school).
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Funding View help for Funding
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Smallest Geographic Unit View help for Smallest Geographic Unit
Zip code
Restrictions View help for Restrictions
Users are reminded that these data are to be used solely for statistical analysis and reporting of aggregated information, and not for the investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
Access to these data is restricted. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete a Restricted Data Use Agreement. Data are provided via ICPSR's Virtual Data Enclave (VDE). Apply for access to these data through the ICPSR VDE portal. Information and instructions are available within the data portal. For further assistance please reference the VDE Guide to learn about the application process, about using the VDE, and how to request disclosure review of VDE output.
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
Time Period(s) View help for Time Period(s)
Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection
Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
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Conducted by the University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center.
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This collection provides the original Monitoring the Future variables, including the unaltered weight variable, that in the public-use data were altered or omitted.
- Dataset 1 includes State, County, and Zip Code as well as the original variables for 8th and 10th grade respondents.
- Dataset 2 includes State, County, and Zip Code as well as the original variables for 12th grade respondents.
- Dataset 3 is a zipped package containing all of the available data and documentation files for the corresponding year's public-use files for both 8th/10th and 12th grades.
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Information is included in the user guides to assist users in linking the original variables in the restricted-use files with the public-use variables to perform analyses of interest.
- The MTF sample is drawn to generate representative samples of the four Census Bureau regions of the country (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), but it does not generate representative samples of smaller geographic areas such as states, counties, or cities. Use of the geographic identifiers such as state, county, or zip code is limited and researchers interested in these variables are encouraged to read FAQs: Monitoring the Future Restricted-Use Geographic Variables
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Most data for the Western region that were intentionally changed to missing data (-9) in the public-use version of the MTF data sets are available in this collection. Please see the user guides for exceptions.
Sample View help for Sample
A two-stage stratified random sampling procedure was used involving (1) selection of schools within geographic areas, and (2) selection of students within sampled schools. The sampling variables of interest to researchers to account for the complex sample design of the MTF study are available in the restricted use data files.
Note: The MTF sampling design used through 2023 was updated in 2024. Please see the MTF annual report for details.
Examples of how to use the complex sample design information in analyses are found in "Appendix A: Using the Complex Sample Design" in each user's guide.
Time Method View help for Time Method
Universe View help for Universe
Eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students in the contiguous United States.
Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation
Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)
Mode of Data Collection View help for Mode of Data Collection
Response Rates View help for Response Rates
Please see the MTF public use data documentation for 2024 response rate information.
HideOriginal Release Date View help for Original Release Date
2025-10-30
Version History View help for Version History
2026-03-11 Setup files for various data packages were included for Dataset#3 in this update.
Weight View help for Weight
The data available in the restricted use data files contain the unaltered weight variable (SDE_BX_V5 for 8th/10th grades and SDE_BY_V5 for 12th grade). In the public-use data, for reasons of confidentiality, the weight variable (8th/10th grades data: V5; 12th grade data: V5 prior to 2012 and ARCHIVE_WT since 2012) was altered from its original version to a modified version prior to public distribution. This results in slight discrepancies in the percentages and N sizes in the annual MTF volumes and those from weighted analyses of the public-use datasets. Typically, the variation is less than 1%. No such variation should be present when using the weight variable in the restricted use data sets in the virtual data enclave.
Regardless of whether the researcher is using the public or restricted use data, the available weight variable should always be used in analyses.
Complex sample design variables: As the base year data - grades 8, 10, and 12 - are sampled using a two-stage stratified random sampling procedure, it is often desirable to incorporate the sampling information into analyses. The MTF sample is drawn such that the data for each grade are representative of the 48 contiguous United States. The stages of sampling are: the selection of one or more schools in a geographic area, and then students within the school. The variables representing the sampling strata and clusters are omitted from the public use data but included in the restricted-use files. Please see "Appendix B: Complex Sample Design and Weighting Information" in the user's guide for details and examples.
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The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.
ICPSR usually offers files in multiple formats for researchers to be able to access data and documentation in formats that work well within their needs. If you have questions about the accessibility of materials distributed by ICPSR or require further assistance, please visit ICPSR’s Accessibility Center.
One or more files in this data collection have special restrictions. Restricted data files are not available for direct download from the website; click on the Restricted Data button to learn more.
This study is maintained and distributed by the National Addiction and Health Data Archive Program (NAHDAP). NAHDAP is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).