About
Adolescents are over a quarter of the world’s
population. This generation faces new
and different health problems and risks to previous generations. Our population health studies focus on the
health and wellbeing of adolescents in the places where they live and
work.
In Australia, we undertake internationally unique studies of
how children grow into adolescence, the common health problems that emerge in
the teens, and the persistence of these problems into later life. Our prevention research addresses questions
about how schools and local neighbourhoods can become healthier places for
adolescents. We are particularly
concerned with the health of young people who face disadvantage and
discrimination, including young indigenous people and young people within the
justice system.
Beyond Australia, our work had documented global trends in
the health of adolescents, their cause and consequences. In our region we work with our partners in
Indonesia, China, India, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Projects
The 2000 Stories project is a landmark longitudinal study
spanning over 30 years. It is comprised of two studies, the original Victorian
Adolescent Health Cohort Study (VAHCS) – which recruited 2000 year 9 students
in 1992; and the Victorian Intergenerational Health Cohort Study (VIHCS), a concurrent, nested study which recruited offspring of the original participants. The study focuses on adolescent health and development, including intergenerational factors which may influence it.
The ATP is a three generation longitudinal study of
social and emotional development that has followed over 2000 young Australians
and their families from infancy to adulthood over 15 waves since 1983
(Generation 1 and 2), and over 1000 offspring cohort offspring (Generation 3)
since 2012.
CATS is a unique longitudinal study following over 1200 children as they transition through adolescence and into adulthood. We have learned about the experiences of young people
and their families, their changing social context as they move through
secondary school and the biological changes of puberty. We have followed this
group of young people as they navigate the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns,
and will continue to stay in touch as they transition from secondary school and
into further education or into the workforce.
CTC is an evidence-based process implemented at the
community level to reduce youth health and behaviour problems and promote
healthy development.
IYDS is a long-term study that began 2002, that looks at the
development of healthy and problem behaviours among young people in the state
of Victoria, Australia, and the state of Washington, United States.
The
School Transition Study (STS) is interested in young people’s mental health in
the transition from primary to secondary school.
Past projects
Adolescent
Health and Wellbeing Survey
Adolescent
Health and Social Environments Program
Adolescent
Resilience Questionnaire
Behaviour
Exchange System (BEST PLUS)
Beyondblue
schools research initiative
Evaluation
of Program for Parents
Gatehouse
Project
Health
Promotion Literature Review
Healthy
Neighbourhoods Project
Mobile
Tracking of Young People's Experiences (Mobile_TYPE)
Outdoor Youth Programs Research Alliance (OYPRA)
Parenting Adolescents Quiz (PAQ)
Resilient
Families Study
Staying Fit
Success
Despite Learning Disabilities
Two Phase Study of Adolescent
Depression
The epidemiology of depression and the scope for
preventive intervention
Understanding the impact
of school discipline
Victorian Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Survey (HOWRU)
Wellbeing
through Integrated Learning and Development (WILD)
Young
people consulting in General Practice: understanding their perspective