Monitoring the Future

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Monitoring the Future is an annual survey given to 50,000 8th, 10th and 12th graders in the United States to determine drug use trends and patterns, including scales measuring behaviors, attitudes, and values. The survey started in 1975, with 12th graders. It was expanded in 1991 to include 8th and 10th graders as well. To collect longitudinal data, samples of each graduated class are asked to complete follow-up questionnaires via postal mail.

The study's design permits the investigators to examine four kinds of change: 1. Changes in particular years reflected across all age groups (secular trends or "period effects"). 2. Developmental changes that show up consistently for all panels ("age effects"). 3. Consistent differences among class cohorts through the life cycle ("cohort effects"). 4. Changes linked to different types of environments (high school, college, employment) or role transitions (leaving the parental home, marriage, parenthood, etc.).