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The German Aging Survey (DEAS) – A longitudinal and time-series study of people in the second half of life

Datum 01.01.2013

von Heribert Engstler, Nicole Schmiade

The German Ageing Survey (DEAS) is a nationwide representative cross-sectional and longitudinal survey of the German population aged over 40. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). Currently, five survey waves for the years 1996, 2002, 2008, 2011 and 2014 are available. Every six years (1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014), a nationally representative sample of 40-85 year-olds is drawn and subsequently followed up. In 2014 a further base sample of 40-85 year-olds was interviewed as well as panel participants from earlier waves. In 2017, all panel-willing participants of the previous DEAS-waves will be questioned once more. The design of the DEAS allows three perspectives of analysis: (a) analysis of social change, (b) analysis of intra-individual change, and (c) analysis of historical change of individual ageing trajectories.

Participants are questioned in detail on their objective and subjective living situation. In addition, tests of cognitive capability and physical functioning are applied. The DEAS has a cohort-sequential longitudinal design, a broad thematic spectrum, national representativity with a comparatively large number of cases and a relatively long observation period, and is hence a unique German database for interdisciplinary research on the living conditions and life courses as well as the subjective perception and scheme of life of ageing and older individuals.

The DEAS thus covers a broad spectrum of topics. The study focuses on the overarching issue of the interrelation between diversity, social inequality, and quality of later life. It looks at two basic time perspectives: processes of social change and individual development over time. This involves an interdisciplinary link-up which notably includes socio-political, gerontological, sociological, psychological, economic and nursing science related issues.

H. Engstler, N. Schmiade (2013): The German Aging Survey (DEAS) – A longitudinal and time-series study of people in the second half of life. In: Schmollers Jahrbuch (133) 1, S. 97 - 107. zur Publikation

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