This variable reports the line number (LINENO_CPS8) of the spouse.
0 = No spouse of this person present in household
99 = NIU (Not in Universe)
Description
ASPOUSE is a variable that indicates whether the person's spouse lived in the same household and, if so, gives the line number (LINENO_CPS8) of the spouse. ASPOUSE makes it easy for researchers to link the characteristics of spouses.
Since 2007, respondents also identified cohabiting partners (PECOHAB), mothers (PELNMOM), and fathers (PELNDAD). These variables are reported as is and may need additional cleaning by researchers.
An Introduction to the Family Interrelationship Variables can be found on IPUMS-USA. On this page you'll find specific examples of how pointer variables, like ASPOUSE, can be used efficiently. The Census Bureau working paper "Improvements to Demographic Household Data in the Current Population Survey: 2007" may also be useful.
ASPOUSE was drawn from the final CPS interview, conducted 2-5 months before the ATUS interview. Spouse's location was not collected at the time of the ATUS interview.
Universe
- All persons in the household at the time of the CPS interview.
Availability
- 2007-2023
