CLS

Poor mental health in lockdown most common among young women

Young women are the most likely to have experienced high levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness in lockdown, compared to older adults - findings from our COVID-19 survey.

Hours worked dropped by 40% in lockdown

The number of hours worked in Britain dropped significantly in lockdown, with mothers most likely to sacrifice work for home schooling and developmental play, according to new research from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS).

Podcast series: 50 Years of Life in Britain

Over the course of six weeks, ‘50 Years of Life in Britain’ explores the contribution that 1970 British Cohort Study participants have made to improving British science and society.

COVID-19 data from five national longitudinal cohort studies now available

Researchers now have access to data about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 18,000 participants of five nationally representative longitudinal cohort studies based at UCL. The new data will help researchers understand the economic, health and social consequences of the coronavirus outbreak and track the lasting impact on people’s lives.

Young parents more likely to suffer ill health in later life

Teenage mothers and men who become fathers by their early 20s are at greater risk of developing conditions such as heart disease and diabetes in middle age, compared to those who delay parenthood, according to a UCL-led study.

BAME millennials at greater risk of being in unstable employment

Millennials from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are 47% more likely to be on a zero-hours contract, and have 10% greater odds of working a second job, compared to their White peers, according to a new report from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Carnegie UK Trust, and Operation Black Vote.

Linked education data open up new opportunities for study of millennial generation

Researchers can now access enhanced linked educational records for Next Steps, including GCSE and A-level exam results, and vocational education records.

Measures of psychological distress stand the test of time, researchers find

The nine-item Malaise Inventory used in British cohort studies has been found to provide accurate and consistent measures of psychological distress both within and between generations, suggesting that participants’ understanding of mental health questions does not change over time.

The Centre for Longitudinal Studies is home to four national longitudinal cohort studies, which follow the lives of tens of thousands of people.

For the past 60 years, findings from our studies have played a part in shaping the world we live in today, providing evidence for many of the choices we face as individuals, and as a society, and informing many areas of government policy. Today, our studies are casting light on some of the biggest challenges we face. Obesity, mental health, and poverty are just some of the issues our studies are helping to tackle.

We are part of the UCL Institute of Education.

1958 National Child Development Study

Following the lives of 17,000 people born in a single week in 1958 in Great Britain.

1970 British Cohort Study

Following the lives of 17,000 people born in a single week in 1970 in Great Britain.

Next Steps

Following the lives of 16,000 people in England born in 1989-90.

Millennium Cohort Study

The most recent of Britain's cohort studies, following 19,000 young people born in the UK at the start of the new century.

Latest from CLS

News

Economic upheaval of 1980s linked to criminal behaviour among Generation X

31 March 2020

News

CLS researcher receives prestigious demography prize

23 March 2020

News

LGB teens at greater risk of poor mental health, new study finds

19 November 2019

Getting started

Take a look at our guide to using the rich longitudinal datasets. We’ve included tips on identifying the research you need, how you go about downloading the data and preparing the data for analysis.

Our research

The research we do at CLS covers issues that affect all our lives: education and learning, social mobility, health and wellbeing, families and family life, and ageing. We look for answers to questions and provide evidence to help tackle some of the key challenges we face in our society today.

Childhood mental health trajectories and lifetime consequences

Drawing on data from all four of our cohort studies, this project examines young people’s mental health trajectories today in the context of previous generations. The project is part of the Cross Cohort Research Programme.

Educational and occupational aspirations of young people

Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), Next Steps, and the National Child Development Study (NCDS), this project investigates the role of aspirations on social reproduction and social mobility across the divides of gender, ethnicity, disability and social class. The project is part of the Cross Cohort Research Programme.