In 2008 Mission Australia conducted its annual survey of young Australians. The primary purpose of this survey was to identify both the values and issues of concern to young people. 45,558 young people aged 11 to 24 participated in the survey in 2008; a 50% increase in the response rate between 2007 and 2008. Around half of the surveys were completed by participants aged 11 to 14, 47.5% came from those aged 15 to 19 and a small proportion, 2.3% were completed by those aged 20 to 24. Young people from each state and territory participated with the biggest contribution coming from New South Wales (31.7%).
The survey is a brief questionnaire consisting of 15 questions aimed to obtain respondents views on a variety of issues such as what they value, issues of concern, who they turn to for advice and support, what activities they are involved in and who they admire. The questions included: what do you value? What issues are of concern? And where do you turn for advice/ support?
Family relationships and friendships are clearly the two main items valued by all age groups and both genders. About 75% of respondents indicated that they highly valued family relationships and about 62% highly valued friendships. Around a third of respondents highly valued physical and mental health and being independent.
Nationally, body image, drugs and family conflict were the top three issues of concern for respondents, with just over a quarter identifying each as a major concern. Body image was the most identified concern in 2007 at around one in three, however this declined in 2008 to one in four. Drugs was the top issue for participants aged 11 to 14, who were much more likely to identify it as a top issue than those aged 15 to 24. The proportion of 11 to 14 year olds who identified drugs as an important issue rose from 22.9% in 2007 to 31.3% in 2008. These findings suggest that drug education campaigns need to be targeted to the 11-14 age group, when young people are most likely to be open to the campaigns.
The second and third top issues for the young adult group were depression and coping with stress. Physical/sexual abuse was an important concern for over a quarter of female respondents, who were much more likely than male respondents (17.5%) to identify it as a major concern.
The top three responses for advice and support continue to be friends, parents and relative/ family friend, with 85% of participants choosing friends as their number one source of advice and support.
The responses from this survey aim to help inform policy and program development for young Australians and to influence the broader communities understanding of young people. It provides valuable information for governments at all levels and for all those concerned about the wellbeing of young people.
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*all information obtained from the Mission Australia National Survey of Young Australians 2008.