Current Activities
Attention ATP Participants
2010 Survey
We will be conducting another survey in 2010.
To assist with planning we would like to know whether you would prefer to complete the next survey by mail or online. We are also interested in hearing your views on what topics we should cover in our next survey.
If you would like to have say on the format and content of the 2010 survey, please complete our online poll.
The 23-24 year old study members and their parents recently participated in the 14th data collection wave for the study. The broad aim of this wave was to learn how Australians in their mid twenties were faring on key aspects of life such as employment, adjustment, engagement in risk taking, interpersonal relationships, and social and civic participation. The major areas covered were:
- Current life circumstances - employment and educational experiences, income, financial strain, living arrangements, life stress, physical health
- Personal qualities - temperament style, social skills, perspective taking, planfulness, optimism, sense of identity, autonomy, religious commitment, strengths, accomplishments
- Relationships with others - parents and friends, romantic relationship experiences, attitudes towards relationships and marriage, parenthood aspirations and experiences
- Adjustment and risk-taking - depression, anxiety, stress, antisocial behaviour, substance use, risky driving
- Prosocial behaviour and civic engagement - trust and tolerance, participation in community groups and civic activities (e.g. volunteerism)
Questions about study member's experiences while growing up were also included, such as their relationships with parents and siblings, contact with extended family, personal achievements and recognition, and problems experienced by family members.
Parents provided information about their ATP son/daughter on the 5 areas above, and also upon the family environment, their views of their parenting role now their ATP child was an adult, and the support they gave their ATP son/daughter. Looking back in time, parents also reported on their ATP child's childcare and educational experiences in the first 5 years of life.
The data collection concluded in 2007 and information on emerging trends will be available soon. Some of the early data was included in the 2007 Christmas newsletter, with more in-depth reports planned for 2008 and 2009.
Upcoming initiatives
The ATP team is currently working on a series of papers looking at positive development and civic engagement in early adulthood and the factors that promote it. Another current focus is young people's perspectives on their relationships and their aspirations for marriage and parenthood. The ATP team is also continuing our exploration of young people's driving experiences and behaviour, with a second report to be prepared on this topic in 2009, following on from the first report released in 2005. The factors that are associated with harmful alcohol use in early adulthood are also being investigated. Also in the pipeline is a possible study of the experiences and challenges of young study members who have become parents.
