Rural and regional families:
The impact of drought, economic and social change
This research study will provide information on the health, family wellbeing and financial stress of families in rural and regional Australia and their communities. Although there are frequent reports of the negative impact on families of the current drought, relatively little large-scale research into this issue has been undertaken. As part of the study, telephone interviews will be conducted with 8,000 people living in rural and regional areas.
Why is the study important?
Australia is currently experiencing a very severe drought. Drought has a major economic impact upon primary producers, regional economies and the national economy. In addition to the drought, some areas have also experienced an economic decline, while other areas of rural and regional Australia have experienced significant economic growth. These climatic and economic changes can also have major health and social impacts on families and communities but little is known about these issues.
The study will provide new policy relevant information that will assist in the development of policies that better respond to the needs of families in rural and regional areas.
Australian Institute of Family Studies
The Australian Institute of Family Studies is an Australian Government Statutory Authority that was established in 1980. Funded by the Australian Government, the Institute conducts research that aims to promote the understanding of social and economic factors influencing family wellbeing.
Why should I participate?
For the interview results to be accurate, it is important that each person selected takes part in the interview. Otherwise, the survey will not provide a true indication of the circumstances of all families.
What does the study involve?
The study will involve a telephone interview with a member of your household. The interview will take about 20 minutes to complete depending on your particular circumstances. At the time of the initial telephone call the family member who is selected to participate can make an appointment for the most convenient time to be interviewed.
How was your family selected?
Your family was selected through a process that generates telephone numbers at random from certain rural and regional areas.
What about my privacy?
It is natural for you to be concerned about how your privacy will be protected. All information collected will be kept strictly confidential as required by law.
The ethics committee of the Australian Institute of Family Studies has approved the study. All researchers involved must comply with the Privacy Act 1988.
Personal details that could identify you, or your family, will be removed prior to use by researchers.
About the people involved in the study
Dr Matthew Gray is the Deputy Director (Research) at the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Dr Gray has published widely on economic and social policy issues, including the determinants of labour force status, welfare reform in the United States, economic consequences of divorce, work and family, and changes in the living arrangements of Australian children since 1946. He has also worked on economic and social policy issues related to Indigenous Australians.
Dr Ben Edwards is Research Fellow at the Australian Institute of Family Studies. His major research interests include how neighbourhoods and communities influence children and their families as well as how ill health such as disability and cancer affects families.
Professor David de Vaus is the Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at LaTrobe University. He has published research on cohabitation, living arrangements of children, intergenerational transfers, families and ageing, retirement, family values, and on other areas of family life.
Dr Boyd Hunter is a Fellow at the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University. He specialises in labour market analysis, social economics and poverty research.
Wallis Consulting Group is the fieldwork agency that has been selected for this project. They are very experienced in conducting telephone interviewing.
For further information
You can make a free call on 1800 352 275 or email Dr Ben Edwards on ben.edwards@aifs.gov.au.