Growing Up in Scotland: Child Cohort

Aims
Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) is a longitudinal research study that tracks the lives of thousands of children and their families from the early years, through childhood and beyond. Launched in 2005, GUS has collected information on three nationally representative cohorts of children born in 2004-05 (Birth Cohort 1), 2002-03 (Child Cohort) and 2010-11 (Birth Cohort 2). This page provides information about the Child Cohort (CC1). The main aim of the study is to provide new information to support policymaking in Scotland, but it is also intended to provide a resource for practitioners, academics, the voluntary sector and parents.

Institution
Scottish Government & ScotCen Social Research

Geographic coverage - Nations
Scotland

Geographic coverage - Regions
Nationwide

Start date
2005

Catalogue record last updated
30/04/2025

Sample type
Cohort study

Sample details
GUS comprises three cohorts of children: one child cohort and two birth cohorts. This page provides information about the Child Cohort. This cohort comprised around 3,000 children born between June 2002 and May 2003. Four sweeps of data were collected from families from when children were aged just under 3 years to just under 6 years.

Nationally representative samples were achieved using a random sample of aggregated Data Zones, stratified by Local Authority Area and by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Families receive a letter inviting them to take part in the study. In 2017 a further group of around 1,500 children born between June 2004 and May 2005 were recruited and invited to take part in interviews alongside Birth Cohort 1.

Sample size at recruitment
Child Cohort (CC): 2,858

Sample size at most recent sweep
2,200 (2009 - BC1 & CC Sweep 4)

Sex
All

Age at recruitment
3 years

Cohort year of birth
2002-03

Website
growingupinscotland.org.uk

Notes
International 'Growing Up' studies include Growing Up in Ireland, Growing Up in Australia and Growing Up in New Zealand.

Related themes
Cognitive measures, Diet and nutrition, Education, Housing, Socioeconomic status and deprivation, Language and literacy, Loneliness and social isolation, Neighbourhood, Physical health assessment, Digital technology and social media, Reproductive health, Work and employment, Parenting and family, Sleep problems, Social care - receipt, Social care - need