AIFS Research - Research projects
Family Trends and Transitions
- Duration: Since 1980 (ongoing)
- Funding source(s): Appropriation
- Related themes: Economic wellbeing of families*, Families and work*, Social inclusion*, Family transitions and family law**, Children, young people and their families**
- Related project(s): Child Support and Labour Market Participation; Family Attitudes and Values
- ** Indicates theme(s) to which the project is most relevant
* Indicates theme(s) to which the project has some relevance
The Family Trends and Transitions project analyses and disseminates information on broad trends in patterns of leaving home, couple and family formation, family stability and family dissolution and re-formation.
The monitoring and analysis of these trends informs policy development and the timely design of research projects. Family-related trend data is disseminated through the Family Facts and Figures online database and through publications, presentations and the media.
Publications
- De Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L. & Stanton, D. (forthcoming). The effect of relationship breakdown on income and social exclusion. In Peter Saunders & Roy Sainsbury (Eds.), Social Security, Poverty and Social Exclusion in Rich and Poor Countries. Oxford: Intersentia
- Qu, L. & de Vaus, D. (2011). Starting and ending of one-person households. Journal of Family Studies, 17(2), 126-145.
- Qu, L. & Weston, R. (2011). Trends in couple dissolution: An update. Family Relationship Quarterly, 19, 15-17.
- Gray, M., de Vaus, D., Qu, L. & Stanton, D. (2011). Divorce and the wellbeing of older Australians. Ageing & Society, 31(3), 475-498.
- Hayes, A., Qu, L., Weston, R., & Baxter, J. (2011). Families in Australia 2011: Sticking together in good and tough times. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
- Hayes, A., Weston R. & Qu, L. (2011). Relationship pressures on Australian families: Some implications for psychologist. InPsych, February 2011, 8-11.
- Gray, M., de Vaus, D., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2010). Divorce and the wellbeing of older Australians (Research Paper No. 46). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
- Qu, L., Weston, R., & de Vaus, D. (2009). Cohabitation and beyond: The contribution of each partner's relationship satisfaction and fertility aspirations to pathways of cohabiting couples. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 40(4), 585-601.
- Qu, L. (2009). Book review: Marriage and Cohabitation, by Arland Thornton, William G. Axinn and Yu Xie. Journal of Population Research, 26(3). 283-284.
- Baxter, J., Gray, M., & Hayes, A. (2009). Diverse families making a difference (Facts Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
- Qu, L. (2008). Work and family balance: Issues in research and policy. Family Matters, 80, 6–8.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2009). Opinions of parents on the acquisition of parenting and relationship skills. Family Matters, 81, 55–57.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2009). Attitudes towards divorce. Family Relationships Quarterly, 11, 18–24.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2009). Relationships between grandparents and grandchildren. Family Matters, 81, 58–60.
- Weston, R., Qu, L., & de Vaus, D. (2008). Cohabitation: Level of stability and post-cohabitation pathways. Threshold, 92, 18–20.
- de Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2008). The financial consequences of divorce for later life. In P. A. Kempo, K. Van den Bosch., & L. Smith (Eds.), International series on social security: Vol. 13. Social protection in an ageing world (pp. 257–278). Oxford, UK: Intersentia.
- Hayes, A. (2008). Are family changes, social trends and unanticipated policy consequences making children’s lives more challenging? Family Matters, 78, 60–63.
- Hayes, A., & Gray, M. (2008). Social inclusion: A policy platform for those who live particularly challenged lives. Family Matters, 78, 4–7.
- Hayes, A. (2008) Putting early childhood into a lifespan, social-inclusion perspective. Every Child, 14(1), 4–5.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2008). Attitudes towards cohabitation and marriage. Family Relationships Quarterly, 8, 5–10.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2008). Snapshots of family relationships. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
- Geggie, J., Weston, R., Hayes, A., & Silberberg, S. (2007). The shaping
of strengths and challenges of Australian families: Implications for policy
and practice. Marriage & Family Review, 41, 217–239.
- Gray, M., Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2007). Fertility
and family policy in Australia (Research Paper No. 41). Melbourne: Australian Institute
of Family Studies.
- Lodge, J., & Feldman, S. S. (2007). Avoidant coping as a mediator between appearance-related teasing and self-esteem in young Australian adolescents. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 25, 633–642.
- Qu, L., & Parker, R. (2007). Getting married: Trends in choice of celebrant. Family Relationships Quarterly, 3, 9–11.
- Qu, L., & Parker, R. (2007). Getting married: Trends in choice of celebrant. Threshold, 89, 20.
- Weston, R. (2007), Later life divorces. Threshold, November, 12–13.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2007). Families in Australia: Continuities and change. In E. Shaw & J. Crawley (Eds.) Couple therapy in Australia: Issues emerging from practice (pp. 23–47). Melbourne: Psychoz Publications.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2007). An update on partnership formation trends: What does the 2006 Census suggest? Family Relationships Quarterly, 6, 16–19.
- Weston, R., Qu, L., & de Vaus, D. Cohabitation: Level of stability and post-cohabitation pathways. Threshold, 92, 18–20.
- Weston, R., Stanton, D., Qu, L., & Soriano, G. (2007). Leaving home trends. Threshold, November, 24–25.
- de Vaus, D., Gray,
M., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2007). The consequences
of divorce for financial living standards in later life. (Australian Institute
of Family Studies Research Paper No. 38). Melbourne: Australian Institute
of Family Studies.
- Gray, M. (2006). Indigenous families
and communities. Family Matters, 75,
4-9.
- Gray, M., & Altman, J. (2006). The
economic value of harvesting with resources to the Indigenous community
of the Wallis Lake Catchment, NSW.
Family Matters, 75, 24–33.
- Gray, M., & Chapman, B. (2006). Labour Market
Issues. In B. H. Hunter
(Ed.) Assessing the evidence on Indigenous socioeconomic outcomes: A focus
on the 2002 NATSISS. Research Monograph No. 26. Centre for Aboriginal Economic
Policy Research. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
- Qu, L., Soriano, G., & Weston, R. (2006). Starting
early, starting late: The health and wellbeing of mother and child. Family Matters, 74,
4–11.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2006). Trends in couple formation. Family Relationships Quarterly, 1, 12–15.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2006). IVF – a viable means of achieving delayed parenthood? Threshold, 86, 42.
- Weston, R., & Gray, M. (2006). Assessing
family and community life through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Social Survey: An evaluation. Family Matters, 73, 32–37.
- Weston, R., & Gray, M. (2006). Family and community
life. In B. H.
Hunter (Ed.) Assessing the evidence on Indigenous socioeconomic outcomes:
A focus on the 2002 NATSISS. Research Monograph No. 26. Centre for Aboriginal
Economic Policy Reseach. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2006). Trends in couple dissolution. Family Relationships Quarterly, 2, 9–12.
- Australian Institute of Family Studies (2006). Snapshots of Australian families with adolescents. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
- Hayes, A., Weston, R., Gray, M., Qu, L., Higgins, D., Hand, K., & Soriano, G. (2006). Family relationships through life: An illustration of the Australian Institute of Family Studies’ Research Plan (2006–2008). Family Matters, 73, 4–12.
- Morehead, A., & Soriano, G. (2005). Teenage mothers: Constructing family life. Family Matters, 72, 64–71.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2005). A
woman’s place? Work hour preferences
revisited. Family Matters, 72, 72–77.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2005). Family size: men’s and women’s
aspirations over the years. Relatewell, 9(2), 4–7.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2005). Beliefs
about IVF as a personal fallback option. Family Matters, 71, 44–49.
- Qu, L. and Weston, R. (2005), Snapshot
of couple families with stepparent–child relationships, Family Matters, no. 70, Autumn,
pp. 36-37.
- de Vaus, D. (2004), Diversity and change in Australian
families: Statistical profiles, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
- Morehead, A. (2004), A review of new Australian Government initiatives for families with children, Family Matters, no. 69, Spring/Summer, pp. 94-99.
- Qu, L. and Soriano, G. (2004), Forming
couple relationships: Adolescents’ aspirations
and young adults’ actualities, Family Matters, no. 68, Winter,
pp. 43-49.
- Qu, L. and Soriano, G. (2004), Forming couple relationships: Adolescents’ aspirations and young adults’ actualities, Relatewell, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 3-7.
- Weston, R., Qu, L., and Soriano, G. (2003), Australia’s ageing
yet diverse population, Family Matters, no. 66, Spring/Summer,
pp. 6-13.
- de Vaus, D., Qu, L. and Weston, R. (2003), Premarital cohabitation and subsequent marital stability, Family Matters, no. 65, Winter, pp. 34-39.
- de Vaus, D., Qu. L. and Weston, R. (2003), Changing
patterns of partnering, Family Matters, no. 64, Autumn, pp.10-15.
- Weston, R., Parker, R. and Qu, L. (2003), Australia, in
J.J. Ponzetti (ed.), International Encyclopedia
of Marriage and Family, vol. 1 (2nd edn), Macmillan Reference, New York.
- Weston, R., Stanton, D. and Parker, R. (2002), The Australian family: Yesterday, today and tomorrow - what the statistics suggest, Conference Proceedings of Family Services Australia National Conference, Darwin, 8-11 October 2002.
Submissions
- Weston, R., Qu, L., & Kaspiew, R. (2008). Inquiry into the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 [Provisions] (PDF 158 KB): Submission from the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Presentations
- De Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L. & Stanton, D. (2010, 7–9 July). Australian women’s retirement income and assets: the role of employment, fertility and relationship history. Paper presented at the Australian Social Policy Conference Social Policy in a Complex World, 6–8 July, 2011, Sydney.
- Qu, L. & Weston, R. (2011). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Paper presented for Principles of Social Policy course, the Australian National University, 29 April 2011.
- Baxter, J., Qu., L., & Weston, R. (2009, 27 September-2 October). Family structure, quality of the co-parental relationship, post-separation parenting and children's emotional wellbeing. XXVI International Union for the Scientific Study of Population International Population Conference, Morocco.
- de Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2009, July). The effect of relationship breakdown on income and social exclusion. Australian Social Policy Conference: An Inclusive Society? Practicalities and Possibilities, Sydney.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2009, 30 April). Parental separation, family relationships and wellbeing. Presentation to Service Delivery Executive, Child Support Agency.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2009, 9 April). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Presentation to Principles of Social Policy course, ANU, Canberra.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2010, 26 March). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Principles of Social Policy course, Australian National University, Canberra.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2008, 15 December). Selected family trends in Australia: Implications for CSA? Child Support Agency National Leadership Forum, Adelaide.
- Hayes, A. (2008, 3 December). Trends in Australian family form and functioning. Presentation to Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria.
- Hayes, A. (2008, 20 November). Child development and family functioning in Australia: Some new insights from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Presentation to Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
- Hayes, A. (2008, 1–2 November). From form to function: Framing family policy to address contemporary choices, changes and challenges. International Relationships Symposium, Melbourne.
- de Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2008, 9–11 July). Divorce and personal well-being of older Australians. 10th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2008, 9–11 July). Parental cohabitation and children’s wellbeing. 10th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne.
- Weston, R. (2008, 9–11 July). Families through life: Complications, risks and opportunities. Keynote address, 10th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2008, 31 March). Trends in family transitions. Delegation from Doha International Institute of Family Studies.
- Hayes, A., & Gray, M. (2008, 26 March). Families and social inclusion. Presentation to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Canberra.
- Qu, L. & Weston R. (2008, 18 March). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Invited lecture, Principles of Social Policy course, ANU.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2008, 15 February). Trends in family transitions. Delegation from the Labour Market and Social Security Organisations in the Netherlands.
- Baxter, J., Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2007, 3 December). Family structure, quality of the co-parental relationship, post-separation parenting and children’s social-emotional wellbeing. LSAC Conference, Melbourne.
- Lodge, J. (2007, 25–29 September). Cyber-bullying in schools: How do our adolescents cope? 42nd Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference, Brisbane.
- Lodge, J. (2007, 25–29 September). School engagement in the Middle Years. 42nd Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference, Brisbane.
- Weston R., & Qu, L. (2007, 7 September). Families in Australia: Continuities and change. Invited paper, Local Government Professionals (LGRPro) Family, Youth and Children’s Services Conference, Melbourne.
- Weston R., & Qu, L. (2007, 20 August). Family transitions and relationships in Australia. Invited paper, Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne.
- Qu, L., Weston, R., & Parker, R. (2007, 11–13 July). Financial circumstances of divorced mothers relative to married mothers: Is the gap narrowing? Australian Social Policy Conference, Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2007, 17 July). Trends in couple formation and dissolution. Invited paper, Separation Support Network workshop, ANU, Canberra.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2007, 6 July). Families: Changing patterns and health behaviours. Invited paper, Child Public Health Elective 2007 Program, Centre for Community Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne.
- Hayes, A. (2008, 11 April). Not such splendid isolation: Developmental implications of limited opportunities for intimacy. 13th National Family Law Conference, Adelaide.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2007, 17 August). Trends in family transitions. Delegation from Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore.
- Hayes, A. (2007, 20 August). Safe children, supportive families and child-friendly communities: Demographic change and policy. Lecture at Mildura Campus, La Trobe University, Melbourne.
- Weston R., & Qu, L. (2007, 17 September). Snapshots of family relationships prior to the family law reforms: Baseline report. FaCSIA and the AGD, Canberra.
- Weston, R., Qu, L., & de Vaus, D. (2007, 27–29 June). Cohabitation and beyond: The contribution of each partner’s relationship satisfaction, perceived financial circumstances, and fertility aspirations to pathways of cohabiting couples. Paper presented at Centre for Research on Families and Relationships 2nd International Conference – Extended and Extending Families, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Gray, M. (2007, April 17). Indigenous Social Policy Issues. Invited Lecture for Principles of Social Policy course, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2007, 20 March). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Invited lecture for Principles of Social Policy course, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
- Qu, L. (2006, 6–8 December). Starting and ending one-person households. Presentation at the Australian Population Association 13th Biennial Conference, Adelaide, SA.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2006, 27 November). Family trends: Implications for children. Invited presentation to the Victorian Home Economics and Textiles Teachers’ Association Annual Conference, Melbourne, Vic.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2006, 4 November). Longitudinal studies: Rationale, types and two Australian examples.Invited keynote presentation at a workshop on longitudinal studies organised by the Viet Nam Commission for Population, Family and Children, Hanoi.
- Hayes, A. (2006, 19 October). Families through life: Considerations for policy and practice. Presentation at the Windmere Annual General Meeting, Melbourne, Vic.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2006, 25 September). Changing families, changing society: Implications for Catholic education. Invited keynote presentation at the Biennial Catholic Education Business Administrators Conference, Melbourne, Vic.
- Hayes, A. (2006, 7 September). Families through life: Considerations for policy and practice. Seminar presentation to the Benevolent Society, Sydney, NSW.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2006, 23 June). Families, their changing patterns and health behaviours. Paper presented to the Child Public Health Elective 2006 Program, Centre for Community Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic.
- de Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2006, 16–18 June). The financial consequences of divorce for later life. Paper presented at the International Research Seminar on Issues in Social Security, Social Protection in an Ageing World Foundation for International Studies on Social Security, Sigtuna, Sweden.
- Weston, R. (2006, 14–15 June). AIFS research relating to family transitions and family law. Presentation at the Show and Tell joint workshop between the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, ACT.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2006, 4 April). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Presentation to the Principles of Social Policy course, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2005, 9 November). Having children: Trends, hopes, expectations and the IVF option. Keynote address provided at the Infertility Treatment Authority Symposium on Future Directions in ART: Choices, Rights and Responsibilities, Melbourne, Vic.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2005, 13 October). Leaving it later to marry – leaving it later to have children. When is it too late?.Invited paper presented at the Workshop of Marriage and Relationship Educators Association, Victorian Branch, Melbourne, Vic.
- Weston, R., Qu, L., & de Vaus, D. (2005, 29–30 September). Pathways from cohabitation. Paper presented at the HILDA Survey Conference, Melbourne, Vic.
- Weston, R. (2005, 29–30 September). Discussant, Symposium on Families, Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey Conference, Melbourne, Vic.
- Gray, M., & Weston, R. (2005, 11–12 August). Family and community life. Paper presented at the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research Conference on Indigenous Socioeconomic Outcomes: Assessing Recent Evidence, Canberra, ACT.
- Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2005, 23 July). Fertility decision-making: Issues for marriage and relationship education and counselling. Invited paper presented at the Workshop of Diversity & Change in Australian Families – Implications for Family Relationship Educators, the Victorian State Marriage and Relationship Educators’ Association of Australia Conference, Melbourne, Vic.
- Qu, L., & Weston, R. (2005, 20–22 July). Assisted reproductive technology (ART): The fall back option?.Paper presented at the Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney, NSW.
- Partnership formation and stability: A theoretical framework, Paper presented at the 9th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, 9-11 February 2005 (R. Weston, L. Qu and D. de Vaus).
- The state of families in Australia, Paper presented to the members of the Council of Christian Education in Schools, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, 30 November 2004 (L. Qu and R. Weston).
- World divorce trend and what Australia is doing to curb the trend, Invited paper for panel discussion, Keeping Love Alive, Family Matters Seminar, Singapore, 26 November 2004 (R. Weston and L. Qu).
- The state of families in Australia: Continuities and change, Invited keynote paper presented at the Regional Family Policy Forum, Singapore, 25 November 2004 (R.Weston and L. Qu).
- Changing trends in the way family groups are formed, Paper presented at the Celebrants in 2004: A New Era Conference for Civil Celebrants, Monash University, Melbourne, 19 June 2004 (R. Parker).
- Families and children with a disability, Paper presented to the Singaporean delegation, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, 4 May 2004 (L. Qu and R. Weston)
- What is a family today?, Seminar presented to practitioners working in children’s services and interested members of the general public, City of Boroondara, Melbourne, 26 March 2004 (L. Qu, R. Weston and J. Duffie).
- Family trends in Australia, Presentation to the Victorian Home Economics and Textiles Teachers’ Association, Melbourne, 5 December 2003 (R. Weston, D. de Vaus and L. Qu).
- Partnership formation and stability, Paper presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Vancouver, Canada, 19-22 November 2003 (R. Weston, L. Qu and D. de Vaus).
- Cohabitation in Australia: Linkages to mental health and marital stability, Paper presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Vancouver, Canada, 19-22 November 2003 (D. de Vaus, L. Qu and R. Weston).
- Changing trends in marriage and commitment, Public lecture given to the Monash University Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology Professional Training Program for Civil Celebrants, Melbourne, 19 March 2003 (R. Weston and R. Parker).
- Premarital cohabitation and marital stability, Paper presented at the Department of Family and Community Services HILDA Conference, Univer-sity of Melbourne, Melbourne, 13 March 2003 (R. Weston, L. Qu and D. de Vaus).
- Does premarital cohabitation affect the chances of marriage lasting?, Paper presented at the 8th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, 12-14 February 2003 (D. de Vaus, L. Qu and R. Weston).
- Families in Australia, Invited workshop presented at the ACHPER Health and Physical Education Conference, Melbourne, 28-29 November 2002 (R. Weston and D. Stanton).
- The Australian family: Yesterday, today and tomorrow - what the statistics suggest, Invited paper presented at the Family Services Australia National Conference, Darwin, 8-11 October 2002 (R. Weston, D. Stanton and R. Parker).
- NCAC environmental scan: Families in Australia, Invited paper presented at the National Childcare Accreditation Council’s Environmental Scan, Sydney, 25 September 2002 (K. Hand, R. Weston and S. Wise).