Saxon Longitudinal Study (SLS)
The SLS assesses the long-term impact of socio-political changes among East Germans post-reunification by examining various aspects of life satisfaction, political attitudes, and health. The study began in 1987 with approximately 1,400 participants born in 1973, aged 14 years and in the eighth grade. The SLS follows up with participants annually, with the latest wave (Wave 33) conducted in 2022, involving 318 participants.
Study design
Cohort - birth
Number of participants at first data collection
1,407 (participants)
Age at first data collection
14 years (participants)
Participant year of birth
1973 (participants)
Participant sex
All
Representative sample at baseline?
The population of East Germany born in 1973 and surrounding years.
Sample features
Country
Year of first data collection
1987
Primary Institutions
Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal)
Central Institute for Research on Youth
Dresden University of Technology (Technische Universität Dresden, TUD)
University Hospital Leipzig (Universitätsklinikum Leipzig)
University of Leipzig (Universität Leipzig)
Profile paper DOI
Funders
Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship (Bundesstiftung zur Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur)
Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung)
German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG)
Hans Böckler Foundation (Hans Böckler Stiftung)
Ministry of Education of the State of Saxony-Anhalt (Ministerium für Bildung des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt)
Ongoing?
Yes
Data types collected
- Self-report questionnaire – online
- Self-report questionnaire – paper or computer assisted
- None
- None
- None
Engagement
Keywords
