Australian Institute of Family Studies

Recent publications

Teenage school friends smiling to camera, close up

Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) Annual Statistical Report 2017

LSAC Annual Statistical Report 2017— Dec 2018

This is the eighth volume of the Annual Statistical Report series for Growing Up in Australia.

A group of teenagers sitting in a circle listening to one of the girls speaking

Adolescent help-seeking

LSAC Annual Statistical Report 2017 chapter— Nov 2018

This chapter describes the past help-seeking behaviours and future help-seeking intentions of adolescents, focusing on who adolescents go to for help.

A group of highschool students walking down a corridor

Adolescents’ relationships with their peers

LSAC Annual Statistical Report 2017 chapter— Nov 2018

Examines the peer relationships of Australian Children around mid-adolescence and the influence of these friendships on attitudes and behaviour.

Eating problems in mid adolescence

LSAC Annual Statistical Report 2017 chapter— Oct 2018

This chapter provides a description of how young people are faring in relation to eating problems at 14–15 years of age.

News

Tasmania’s children living with higher levels of disadvantage

12 Dec 2018: A recent report published by Tasmania’s Commissioner for Children and Young People highlights that while there are positive trends in early childhood development and adolescent risk-taking, Tasmanian children are growing up with higher levels of disadvantage than children in other Australian states and territories. In 2016, Tasmania had the highest levels of disadvantage in Australia, with more than two-thirds of children and young people living in areas of relative disadvantage.

Smacking children: ineffective and harmful

Dec 2018: The American Academy of Pediatrics stated that adults should 'avoid physical punishment and verbal abuse of children’, citing evidence of ‘negative behavioral, cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional outcomes’. For research on the legal, ethical and behavioural issues surrounding corporal punishment in the Australian context, see CFCA’s resource sheet Corporal punishment: Key issues.