The study carried out in Geelong in May 1982 was an attempt to see how families in one Australian community have been coping with the pressures which have been placed on Australian families in the last 10 years largely as a result of economic and social changes that have gradually developed since World War II. The aim of the study was to investigate different individuals' perceptions of their needs, their use of personal support networks of extended family, and friends and neighbours and of the wider community through local organisations, and to set this in a social context of the structures and services provided by professionals and governments in the community in which they live.

Compiled by the research team: Des Storer, Arthur Faulkner and Jean McCaughey