How do I combine multiple variables into 3 levels?

[Ernest]

Hi,

I'd like to analyze caregiver status (parenting a child/grandchild [yes=1; no=0]; helping spouse with ADLs/iADLs [yes=1; no=0]; helping parents with ADLs/iADLs [yes=1; no=0]) into three categories:

No caregiving = 0

Engaged in one caregiving role = 1

Engaged in two or more caregiving roles = 2

Any ideas on the code/syntax to write in SAS?

Thanks so much

[ballardw]

It would help to have some variable names but:

Caregiving = sum(care1, care2, care3);

Caregiving = min(2,Caregiving); /* this maps the 3 value if it occurs to a 2) could use: if caregiving=3 then caregiving=2 as well.*/

is a quick and dirty way.

[Ernest]

That was extremely helpful! Thank you! It worked!