4727.0.55.002 - Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Users' Guide, 2012-13

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/11/2013 First Issue

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Contents >> Health Risk Factors >> Family stressors

FAMILY STRESSORS

Definition

Family stressors (also known in other surveys as Personal Stressors) are events or conditions that occur in a person's life that may adversely impact on the individual's or their family's well-being. A stressor may occur directly, such as personally experiencing a serious illness, or indirectly, such as having a family member with a serious illness. In some instances personal stressors may have an ongoing impact, or limit the capacity of a person or family to live a satisfying and productive life.

Family stressors were defined as life events or conditions that may have been a problem for the respondent or anyone close to them in the 12 months prior to interview.

Population

Information was obtained for persons aged 15 years and over in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS).

Methodology

Respondents were asked whether they, or anyone close to them had experienced problems from any of the events listed below, and if so, which ones:

serious illness
serious accident
mental illness
serious disability
getting married/marriage
pregnancy
new family member
overcrowding at home
getting back together with a spouse
divorce or separation
death of family member or close friend
other (specify).

The same question was also asked about the following list:

not able to get a job
involuntary job loss
started a new job
pressure to fulfil cultural responsibilities
alcohol related problems
drub related problems
gambling problems
witness to violence
abuse or violent crime
you/family member/close friend spent time in jail
trouble with the police
treated badly because you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
unwelcome at child's school
feeling unsafe
other (specify).

More than one response was allowed for both of these items. Respondents could also give a don't know, refusal or no response.

Data items

The data items and related output categories for this topic are available in Excel spreadsheet format from the Downloads page of this product.

Interpretation

Points to be considered in interpreting data for this topic include the following:

'Anyone close to you' could refer to a family member, a friend or anyone else the respondent felt was close to them.
The effects of the event should have been felt by the respondent themselves, either directly or through a family member or friend who was experiencing the problem.
The effects of the problem must have been felt in the 12 months prior to interview, even if the problem occurred more than 12 months ago.
The purpose of the questions were to determine the respondent's perception of whether the stressors had been a problem for them or not.

Comparability with 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)

Data for common types of family stressors are considered directly comparable between the 2004-05 NATSIHS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, it should be noted that not all categories listed in 2012-13 were asked in 2004-05, and the lists differed in 2004-05 between the non-remote and remote interviews, whereas the 2012-13 survey was consistent for all areas. This may have resulted in an under-reporting of family stressors in the 2004-05 NATSIHS and as such it is advised that the number of family stressors an individual experiences are not compared between these surveys.

Comparability with 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)

Data for common items are considered directly comparable between the 2008 NATSISS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. The only category not to be asked in the NATSISS was that of 'Feeling unsafe'. Respondents were also unable to give a 'Don't know' response to these items. Additional questions were asked in the NATSISS about which of these stressors personally occurred to the respondent, how these stressors made the respondent feel and help sought. As these additional questions were not asked in the NATSIHS they are unable to be compared.

Comparability with 2011-12 National Health Survey (NHS)

Data for common types of family stressors are considered comparable between the 2011-12 NHS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, it should be noted that not all categories listed in the NATSIHS were asked in the NHS. This may have resulted in an under-reporting of family stressors in the NHS and as such it is advised that the number of family stressors an individual experiences are not compared between these surveys.