Study title

Well-being of Finnish Multiple Birth Families 2009

Dataset ID Number

FSD2548

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2548

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Hyväluoma, Johanna (University of Jyväskylä. Family Research Centre)
• Jokinen, Kimmo (University of Jyväskylä. Family Research Centre)
• Malinen, Kaisa (University of Jyväskylä. Family Research Centre)

Abstract

The survey studied the well-being and financial situation of multiple birth families in Finland. Multiple birth families have one or two pairs of twins, triplets (or quadruplets etc).

First, satisfaction with dwelling size, dwelling amenities and housing costs was surveyed. Further questions covered family composition (who lives in the family; ages, birth weight, gender etc of children) and the biological parents of the multiples. The respondents were asked to state for each child whether a number of statements presented were compatible with the child. The statements pertained to sleep, loneliness, satisfaction with life, communication with parents, diet, taking exercise, and obedience. Some questions focused on delivery time (time of birth in pregnancy weeks) for multiples and whether the family had encountered changes such as serious illness and death.

Next theme explored work-life balance of the adults in the family. Questions covered type of job contract, working time, occupational status, and time spent away from work on parental benefits. A set of statements studied balancing work and family. The respondents were also asked whether they had been forced to do sacrifices for the sake of their family (give up education opportunities, a job etc.) or for the sake of the job (not stay home to take care of sick child, not attend a family event etc). Opinions on what family policy measures would have helped them to balance work and life were surveyed. Measures mentioned included reduced working hours, longer parental leave, flexible child day care, higher benefit levels, flexible working arrangements etc.

Financial situation was charted with questions about household income, household debts, and additional costs caused by the multiples. The respondents were also asked whether the family could afford own room or a mobile phone for each child, weekly pocket-money, fee-based hobbies, visits to private doctor, a computer for children, and whether family finances had forced them to give up travel, cut down on children's hobbies, save on food etc. One question explored how much money a month the family had after paying essential living expenses.

One theme pertained to couple relationship. The respondents were asked whether having multiples had had an impact on their couple relationship, what factors had put strain on or had strengthened the relationship, how often they and their partner disagreed on some matters (e.g. sex, religion, important decisions, parenthood, money, housework). Various other questions charted the state of the relationship.

How well the respondents managed their everyday life was studied by asking the respondents how often they felt pain, sad, happy, anxious, balanced, and so on, and whether they had lately felt stressed and why. They were also asked what aspect of their life (work, spending time with children, couple relationship, housework, leisure time) they neglected when stressed. Views were probed on what had been the most challenging and rewarding times for the family (in relation to the age of the multiples) and why.

The survey also covered the respondents' social networks for receiving practical help or advice. The first set of questions focused on people close to respondents and the second on support from public services. Reasons for seeking help from maternity clinics or child help clinics were also investigated, likewise what kind of help had been needed at what age of the multiples. Further questions charted participation in the activities of multiple birth associations, choices for and satisfaction with child day care and school arrangements.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, marital status, occupational status and economic activity, type of neighbourhood, and housing tenure.

Keywords

child day care; children; everyday life; family life; household budgets; housework; multiple births; occupational life; parental role; partnerships (personal); social networks; social support

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Family life and marriage (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social welfare policy (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Tietoykkönen

Data Producers

• Finnish Multiple Births Association (Suomen Monikkoperheet ry)
• Finland's Slot Machine Association (RAY)
• Alli Paasikivi Foundation

Time Period Covered

2009

Collection Dates

2009-09 – 2009-10

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Family

Universe

Mothers and spouses/partners of multiple-birth children aged under 18 and living in Finland (excluding the Åland Islands)

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Probability: Simple random

A simple random sample of 2,500 women was drawn from the population register in July 2009. The population register is maintained by the Population Registration Centre. The inclusion criteria were mothers of multiple birth children whose children were under 18 years of age and were living with their mother at that time, and none of the children were being fostered elsewhere. Live-in spouses/cohabitation partners of the mothers were included in the sample.

The sampled persons received a posted invitation to participate in the internet survey in September 2009. Two weeks later a reminder letter was sent. Answering the questionnaire was possible through a link on the web site of the Finnish Multiple Births Association. Access codes to the survey were given in the posted invitation. The researchers were able to connect the mother to the spouse/partner with the help of the access code. Altogether 1,572 parents participated in the survey, of which 1,1133 were mothers and 439 spouses/partners.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

47

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

2.0

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Hyväluoma, Johanna (University of Jyväskylä) & Jokinen, Kimmo (University of Jyväskylä) & Malinen, Kaisa (University of Jyväskylä): Well-being of Finnish Multiple Birth Families 2009 [dataset]. Version 2.0 (2018-07-19). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2548

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Special Terms and Conditions for Access

Users of the data shall notify the data producer Suomen Monikkoperheet ry [Finnish Multiple Births Association] of all theses and publications based on or using the data. E-mail address: toimisto@monikkoperheet.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Materials

Hyväluoma, Johanna (2010). Moninkertaisia onnenhetkiä ja arjen haasteita. Monikkoperheiden vanhempien kokemuksia perheen hyvinvoinnista. Jyväskylä: Jyväskylän yliopisto. Tutkimusraportti.

Related Publications

Hyväluoma, Johanna (2010). Moninkertaisia onnenhetkiä ja arjen haasteita. Monikkoperheiden vanhempien kokemuksia perheen hyvinvoinnista. Jyväskylä: Jyväskylän yliopisto. Tutkimusraportti.

Hyväluoma, Johanna (2010). Vanhemmuuden haasteet ja mahdollisuudet monikkoperheissä. Yhteiskuntapolitiikka 75 (2010):4, 422-430.

Ronimus, Heli (2013). Monikkoperheiden toimeentulo: tutkimus monikkolasten iän vaikutuksesta perheiden taloudelliseen tilanteeseen. Turku: Turun yliopisto. Sosiaalipolitiikan pro gradu -tutkielma.