ISSR researchers supporting the design of the new National Mental Health Workforce Strategy

Effectively meeting the current and future demands of the mental health system depends on an appropriately structured and skilled mental health workforce. A team of ISSR researchers, led by Associate Professor Fran Boyle with co-leads Dr Anne Cleary and Dr Natalie Thomas, worked with the Australian Government Department of Health to help shape the forthcoming National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2021-2031. Their rapid review of policy-relevant literature provided an evidence-informed analysis of best practice options for mental health workforce strategies.

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Drugs on the Darknet: Assessment the Global Health Risks of a Rapidly Expanding Market H1 & P&P 1

When Silk Road was shut down by the FBI in 2013, the hidden web for selling illegal drugs became public knowledge. Online black markets pose new threats online for Australian children and families, and their use is expanding. A 2016 study found that Australia had the highest rate of drug retailers per capita.... 

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Financial management services review

The Australian Government is leading a review of government-funded financial management support services in Australia, which aim to improve the financial self-reliance and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. ISSR was engaged to develop an evaluation framework, and consult on the design of.... 

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Contributions to the public discourse on marriage equality

Senior Research Fellow, Dr Paco Perales, and PhD student, Alice Campbell, published a Conversation article that instigated public dialogue around the same sex marriage debate preceding the 2017 Australian plebescite. Revealed: who supports marriage equality in Australia – and who doesn’t, shared analysis of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey to assess trends in the degree of support for marriage equality, and to ascertain the characteristics of those Australians who do, or don’t, support it.

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Millennium mums survey: Enhancing mothers’ engagement with the workforce in the preschool years

The Millennium Mums project is a national study of working mothers who had babies in October and November 2011. The project examines their experiences with leave from their employer and decisions about paid employment, as well as family life, health and wellbeing around the birth of their baby.... 

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Social Networks & Health & Wellbeing

Social science and social policy increasingly recognise that people’s family, friendship and other networks matter for their health and well-being. But it remains unclear why networks are important and what kinds of positive and negative effects they might have. Research has also been... 

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Policy brief: Achieving responsive sleep, rest and relaxation practices in ECEC

Supporting healthy sleep development in early childhood is vital for ensuring that children can flourish and meet their individual potential. As with other areas of child development, such as walking or talking, there is considerable individual variation in children’s sleep needs across the early childhood period.

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Paid parental leave evaluation 

The evaluation examines the operation of the paid parental leave (PPL) scheme, and its impact on a range of outcomes, including mothers’ and fathers’ leave taking, the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies, mothers labour force participation, and gender equity and work-life balance.... 

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Dad and Partner Pay Evaluation

The project is an evaluation of the Australian Government’s Dad and Partner Pay (DaPP) scheme. DaPP aims to create new opportunities for fathers and partners to bond with their newborn child, and allow them to take a larger share of caring responsibilities for their newborn children.... 

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Respectful relationships program evaluation

ISSR has been commissioned by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to undertake a longitudinal outcome and process evaluation of multiple funding initiatives aimed at preventing sexual assault through education. This project involves an outcome... 

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The impact of the place of living on social participation and wellbeing in older age

This study explores the links between place of living, social participation and wellbeing at older age using data from large-scale panel surveys covering Australia and other countries. Environmental conditions, such as housing and neighbourhood conditions, can impact on societal participation by older people.... 

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ISSR Evidence Validated Paid Parental Leave Scheme

The Australian Government commissioned ISSR to undertake one of the then largest evaluations of public policy. The evaluation examined the operation of the Paid Parental Leave scheme, a program of support payments made to new parents, and its impact on a range of outcomes, including mothers’ and fathers’ leave taking, the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies, mothers labour force participation, and gender equity and work-life balance.

Our analysis found PPL to be a success, contributing to greater workforce participation and improved health and wellbeing for mothers, and positive family and social outcomes for the entire family unit.

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For better or for worse? Understanding the Revolution in Married Life in Australia

This project provides important information that enables greater understanding of changing family patterns and provides critical data for policy-makers concerned with the social welfare of individuals and the changing role of the family in Australia today. It examines the consequences of changing patterns such as life satisfaction.... 

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