摘要
本文以美國的威斯康辛長期追蹤調查（WLS）及健康與退休調查（HRS）為主軸，探討老齡化貫時性研究近年來的發展。美國這兩項調查研究呼應國際新趨勢，著重不同調查之間的協調整合，並建立貫時性的生理社會調查，在傳統的社會調查中加入生理性的測量。這兩項調查都蒐集DNA樣本，並朝向基因定型發展，以利於瞭解基因與環境對行為與健康的影響。這兩項調查也改良人格特質評量與認知能力測量。HRS擴大測量受訪者經濟消費的長期軌跡、退休金及社會安全年金財富，並且也蒐集心血管疾病危險因子的生理標誌。WLS則發展出一套整合的方法，有助於研究死亡與親人喪亡。此外，WLS也使用一項創新的方法，利用高中畢業紀念冊中的人像照片，探求受訪者在高中時期的健康狀態。
並列摘要
This essay reviews recent developments in longitudinal studies of aging, focusing on the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Both studies are part of an international movement to establish longitudinal biosocial surveys-in which biological measurement is joined with traditional survey techniques- and a related trend toward greater harmonization across studies. Both studies have collected DNA samples and are working toward genotyping that would facilitate broadly based studies of genetic and environmental effects on behavioral and health outcomes. The studies have each also focused on improved measurement of personality and of adaptive measures of cognitive ability. The HRS has expanded its economic measurements to longitudinal trajectories of consumption and to broader-based measurement of pension and Social Security wealth. It has added biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. The WLS has developed an integrated approach to the study of death and bereavement and an innovative use of high school yearbook photographs to capture information about health early in the lives of its participants.