Do Australian children today have more problems than 20 years ago?

Abstract

By comparing longitudinal studies in Australia, researchers can see whether children at the start of the 21st century are faring better or worse than children 20 years earlier. 'Growing Up in Australia, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children' (LSAC) follows two cohorts: infants, born 2003-2004, and preschool children, born 1999-2000. The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) is an ongoing study of a cohort of Victorian infants, born 1982-1983. These two studies feature parallel data on temperament and behaviour, collected by teachers and parents, and - despite public concerns of current social problems - they indicate similarly good progress between the decades. This presentation outlines the methodology and measures used, data highlights, and discusses the minor variations.