Many studies of risk factors for poor outcomes in children and parents utilise analytic approaches that estimate the importance of any one factor after adjustment for all other factors. We have developed measures of multiple adversity for families with young children so that the cumulative effect of total adversity can be assessed. These measures cover twelve constructs and two high-order dimensions (called components) of material and psychosocial disadvantage respectively.
These measures have a number of uses, including:
- estimating continuity in adversity for individual families;
- profiling the type of adversities experienced by sub-groups of special policy interest (eg. sole- parent families);
- investigating changes in adversity when families experience key transitions (eg jobless families become jobful);
- examining how area-level disadvantage relates to disadvantage at the family level.
These uses are illustrated using data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and are presented in the context of current Australian policies and interventions on social inclusion.
Researchers
Professor Bryan Rodgers and Dr Bina Gubhaju, Australian Demographic & Social Research Institute, ANU
Associate Professor Lyndall Strazdins, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU
Associate Professor Peter Butterworth, Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, ANU
Dr Tanya Davidson, Centre for Gambling Research, ANU
Dr Timothy Crosier, Social Inclusion Unit, Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet