Designing a Longitudinal Survey on the Development of Iranian Children and Adolescents

Investigating the effect of environmental factors, such as parental guidance and upbringing during their childhood and adolescence, requires a long-term longitudinal study. In such research studies, we cannot come to a firm conclusion or result after a short-term education or psychological development program. This article describes the designed protocol to the longitudinal survey on the personal development of Iranian children and adolescents.

After reviewing similar global experiences in designing such surveys, the Iranian longitudinal survey on the personal development of children and adolescents was designed. The study has been designed for five waves and is performed every two years. The longitudinal sample at the beginning of the study comprises children aged 0 to 11. Several questionnaires were designed for families, parents, children, adolescents and young people, teachers and principals of schools in which the child is studying, as well as caregivers at home and kindergarten. In this survey, a three-stage probability sampling method with stratum at the provincial and national levels with two different scenarios is proposed.

A roadmap for longitudinal study on the development of Iranian children and adolescents was designed and presented. Thirteen questionnaires were designed. Also, the sampling method and the method of implementing survey was determined in different waves.

In this article, for the first time, Iranian longitudinal survey of children and adolescents have been designed. The aim of in-depth and comprehensive study of the children and adolescents is to analyze how individual, family and educational factors affect children's growth and development.