in case you missed it, Mission Australia's 2006 survey of young australians is now online here.
From the Mission Australia press release:
A national survey of 14,700 young people, aged 11-24 (95% between 11-19), has found family conflict, alcohol and other drugs and body image are their three main issues of concern, according to the survey’s authors, community service organisation, Mission Australia.
When asked to rank 12 issues in level of importance, family conflict was ranked most frequently in the top three by 28.6% of respondents. Alcohol and other drugs was a top concern for 28.2% of respondents, while body image – included as a category in the survey for the first time – came in third at 28.1%. Both females and males were similarly concerned about body image.
According to Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, changes in the 2006 survey reveal young people are confronting a broader and more complex range of issues.
“Body image is a new inclusion – requested by the young people themselves – as it had regularly been cited as an issue in the other concerns category in previous surveys,” Ms Hampshire said.
“In addition, suicide and self harm were listed separately as issues for the first time, whereas in previous surveys they had been listed together. The effect of separating suicide (28%) and self harm (21.5%) in 2006 highlights more clearly the levels of concern about each issue.”
This is Mission Australia’s fifth National Youth Survey – and its largest so far. It was conducted through schools and colleges around the country – and with the assistance of community organisations, government agencies, corporate partners – and was available on-line.
The survey asked a range of questions, including ‘What do young people value?’, ‘Where do you turn for advice/support?’ and ‘What people/organisations do you most admire?’.
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