The Social Screening survey was used to screen men for admission to the study, and to obtain basic demographic information (e.g., marital, education, and occupation histories), as well as information on family life and geographic stability. Between 1965 and 1967, the General Aptitude Test Battery and the 16PF questionnaire were administered in small groups. These men were also given the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values and the Strong Vocational Interest Blank to complete at home and return by mail. Testing was discontinued in 1967; thus only half of the NAS sample (n=1189) was given these tests.

At the time of their medical exam (since 1987), participants also completed questionnaire measures of hassles and uplifts and of perceived stress.

Originally, participants reported every 3 years (age 52 or older) or 5 years (younger than age 52) for their exam. Since 1986, a 3-year interval has been used for all men. In the month before their scheduled exam, men were mailed a packet of surveys to complete and asked to bring with them to their exam. The packet includes the Cornell Medical Index, a dietary assessment (since 1984), and a medication history.

The biomedical exam included a number of assessments, including blood and urine analyses, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function assessment, medical history and physical exam, chest and hand X-rays, anthropometric exam and eye and ear exams.

On the day of the exam, men were also asked to participate in short semi-structured psychosocial interviews (e.g. alcohol consumption (1983-94), stress and coping (1987-94) and cognitive function (1993-present)).

Mail surveys on smoking and drinking behaviors were begun in 1973 and continued at irregular intervals. Beginning in 1978, information on tobacco consumption (primarily smoking) has been obtained by interview at the time of the medical exam. In 1982, 1991, and 1996, follow-up surveys on drinking were conducted. From 1983 to 1993, information on alcohol consumption and on health effects of drinking was obtained by interview at the time of the medical exam. Starting in 1994, this information was collected by mail as part of the Health and Social Behavior survey.

In 1984, the Jenkins Activity Survey was administered by mail. Since 1987, diet has been assessed by means of a questionnaire mailed to men the month before their scheduled biomedical exam.

The Health and Social Behavior survey also includes a number of measures related to health behaviors. It has been administered by mail since 1987 to men in the month before they report for their physical exam.

In Phase II, psychosocial data were collected by mail surveys. A survey on work and retirement was conducted in 1975. Every 3 years thereafter, until 1987, this survey was mailed only to working men aged 45 and older or to men who had been retired less than 7 years. Data were also obtained via 4 mail surveys to examine relations between a variety of personality measures and smoking between 1975 and 1976.

In Phase III, information on mental health and on qualitative and quantitative aspects of social support was obtained in mail surveys in 1985, 1988, and 1991.

During February 1990, a survey on military experiences was administered, to obtain data on the effects of military service and combat exposure on subsequent life course development. In November 1990, a short questionnaire was mailed, requesting follow-up information on several aspects of military service. In addition, this survey also included a measure of lifetime traumatic life events, and an adjectival measure of the 'Big Five' personality factors.

In 1992, surveys were mailed containing functional status and well-being measures developed by the Medical Outcomes Study, measures of illness burden and health care utilization, and several personality scales: a short version of the CES-D, the EPI-Q, Langer's mindfulness, Pearlin and Schooler's mastery, and Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence.

In 1996, a second survey was mailed assessing functional status and well-being, health care use, attitudes, and insurance. An insert was included to assess diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life related to prostate disease.

At the time of their medical exam, participants also complete questionnaire measures of hassles and uplifts and of perceived stress. Between 1989 and 1993, participants were administered a semi-structured interview on stress and coping. Beginning April 1993, participants were administered a battery of cognitive tests, some by computer and others by an interviewer.

In Phase IV, data are collected on health, mental health, stress and coping via a questionnaire sent to men in the month prior to their scheduled biomedical exam. This survey also assesses work and retirement, mental health, social support, stress and coping. Beginning in 1994, this survey was revised to also collect information on physical activity and recreation, the revised SF-36, health behaviors, and health care utilization. Several personality measures were also included: the short Eysenck Personality Inventory, a measure of positive and negative affect, a short Life Satisfaction inventory, and a measure of social desirability.

At the time of their medical exam, participants also complete questionnaire measures of hassles and uplifts and of perceived stress. Between 1989 and 1993, participants were administered a semi-structured interview on stress and coping. Beginning April 1993, participants were administered a battery of cognitive tests, some by computer and others by an interviewer.