The first sweep of Generation New Era will interview birth parents of the cohort member, including “own household parents” who live separately from the baby.
In the child’s main household, the parent who spends most time caring for the baby will complete a 60-minute interview about themselves, their baby and their household. If the child’s other parent lives separately, they will complete a 40-minute interview about themselves and their household. In the child’s main household, if a second parent or partner lives there, they will be asked to complete a 30-minute interview about themselves and their relationship with their child.
Fieldwork will be primarily face-to-face, but Teams, telephone and web completion options will also be available. A shorter online follow-up survey will be offered to households that do not respond during main fieldwork.
Key scientific themes for the first sweep will be:
- children’s cognitive, social and emotional development
- parents’ mental and physical health
- children’s physical health (including growth, nutrition and sleep)
- infant-parent relationships and early home environment
- social, environmental and neighbourhood influences on children’s development and health
- inequality, disadvantage, diversity and context.
The study will seek permissions to link health, education and social care records of respondents and their child to the study. Geospatial data will also be linked (for example, about local amenities, green space, pollution).
A consultation on the first sweep’s questionnaire will take place in October and November 2025.
