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We have considered the ethics of matching two anonymous datasets to each other, including the uncertainty in linking. At no point in this procedure have we breached the anonymity of those individuals that are part of the cohort. Even attempting to identify a certain individual behind a specific anonymous observation would be criminal offence. Researchers have access only to small segments of the data base. The data are stored in encrypted form, and the master copy is locked up in a safe. Consequently, the risk that a person’s integrity is breached is extremely small. We find that such a risk is by far outweighed the positive value of being able to do unique studies into multigenerational patterns of inequality and resilience processes.
The Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm has approved the creation of RELINK53 as well as the probability matching to the SMS that resulted in SBC Multigen (no. 2017/34-31/5; 2017/684-32). Statistics Sweden, along with the other governmental agencies that were asked to provide data, approved of the new matching, extensions and data extractions.