STEPS Study
The STEPS study is carried out by Turku Institute for Child and Youth Research (CYRI). Based at the University of Turku, CYRI is a joint endeavour of all seven institutions of higher education operating in Turku region in the South-Western part of Finland. The member institutions include three universities and four units of applied sciences: University of Turku (administrative coordinator), Åbo Akademi University, Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Humanities Polytechnic and Sydväst Polytechnic.
The study is based on a cohort study of approximately 2,000 Finnish children. The families are recruited in cooperation with maternity clinics during the first half of pregnancy (from September 2007 to August 2009). The children will be born in 2008–2010. The families will be followed-up until the children are young adults.
The cohort study, focusing on the well-being of children and their families in Turku district, represents cross-disciplinary expertise. It aims to produce comprehensive information about the interplay of health-related, psychological, social, economic, educational, and actors in childhood development. Specific aims of research groups are listed here. The data are collected using a variety of different methods, including questionnaires, health records, biological samples, observations and interviews (see table).