Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations University of Queenlsand Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

 
 


Changing living conditions

The ALSWH has found that young Australian women’s lives are far more diverse than has ever been the case. Social and demographic changes have resulted in an extended period of exploration and change when many women move in and out of study and work. Many women choose marriage and motherhood, but cohabitation, unpartnered parenthood, and other non-traditional lifestyles are far more common than in previous generations.

Data collected from the ALSWH Younger cohort in 2000 and 2003, when women were aged 22-27 and 25-30 respectively, revealed the complex nature of their lives. Analyses of life changes and mental health show that women who move into relationships, and those who move from study to paid work, have the largest increases in mental health between Surveys. By contrast, women who remain out of the paid workforce and those who move out of relationships have small but significant decreases in mental health (see figure). The data support the importance of relationships and meaningful work in maintaining women’s emotional wellbeing.

 

Changes in mental health scores (Young 2 to Young 3)
according to specific life transitions.

For further information on changes in living conditions, see our other publications:

Reports

  • Loxton D & Bryson L. The physical, social and economic health and wellbeing of women with dependent children, following relationship breakdown. Abbreviated Report prepared for Office for Women, Department of Family and Community Services. Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, University of Newcastle & University of Queensland, July 2005.


Papers

  • Brown WJ, Ball K & Powers J. Is life a party for young women? ACHPER Healthy Lifestyles Journal, 1998; 45(3): 21-26.
  • Warner-Smith P & Lee C. Hopes and fears: The life choices, aspirations and well-being of young rural women. Youth Studies Australia, 2001; 20(3): 32-37.
  • Ball K, Crawford D & Kenardy J. Longitudinal relationships among overweight, life satisfaction and aspirations in young women. Obesity Research, 2004; 12(6): 1019-1030.
  • McDermott LJ, Dobson AJ & Russell A. Changes in smoking behaviour among young women over life stage transitions. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2004; 28(4): 330-335.
  • Lee C & Gramotnev H. Predictors and outcomes of early motherhood in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 2006; 11(1): 29-47.
  • Bell S & Lee C. Does timing and sequencing of transitions to adulthood make a difference? Stress, smoking and physical activity among young Australian women. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2006; 13: 265-274.




 
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Last updated: 25 July 2007 by Cath Chojenta © Copyright