This is a longitudinal study of the class of 1964 at a prestigious women's college in the eastern United States. A major purpose of the study was to determine the effects of personality and situation on the life outcomes of college-educated women. In the fall of 1960, Thematic Apperception Tests (TATs) were administered to virtually all freshmen (N=244), yielding the initial personality variables. No other data were collected at this time. In 1974, 10 years after graduation, the first follow-up of the class of 1964 was conducted. A Life-Patterns Questionnaire, containing both open-ended and precoded questions, was sent to all members of the initial sample for whom addresses could be obtained from the Alumnae Office (N=210). This questionnaire elicited information regarding background, college experience, activities since graduation, and future aspirations. Responses were obtained from 122 of the original respondents. Later in 1974, telephone interviews were conducted with about half of the second wave participants who had completed and returned the questionnaire. The interviews were semistructured and open-ended, and focused on stressful life periods. In 1976 and 1979, further follow-ups were conducted. Measures used for the follow-ups included an open-ended Recent Activities Questionnaire, a Recent Life Changes Questionnaire, and a health questionnaire. The questionnaires included precoded items regarding health and life changes during the preceding two years. Computer-accessible data from all waves are available. Available raw data include TATs for the class of 1964 and open-ended questions for the 1974 and 1976 follow-ups.
