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The accuracy of survey-reported marital status: Evidence from survey records matched to social security records

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Demography

Abstract

Researchers have concluded that divorced persons often fail to report accurate marital information in surveys. I revisit this issue using surveys matched exactly to Social Security data. Older divorced persons frequently misreport their marital status, but there is evidence that the misreporting is unintentional. I offer some suggestions on how surveys can be improved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Economic Research, Social Security Administration, 9th floor, ITC Building, 500 E Street SW, 20254-0001, Washington, DC

    David A. Weaver

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  1. David A. Weaver
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Correspondence to David A. Weaver.

Additional information

I thank Ben Bridges, Bert Kestenbaum, and three anonymous referees for helpful comments.

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Weaver, D.A. The accuracy of survey-reported marital status: Evidence from survey records matched to social security records. Demography 37, 395–399 (2000). https://doi.org/10.2307/2648050

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2648050

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