The Australian Longitudinal Study of Health and Relationships [ 2003 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Anthony Smith (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Julia Shelley ,  Prof Juliet Richters ,  Prof Marian Pitts

Brief description Achieving satisfaction in our intimate relationships is a vital component of our well being. To date, most studies of sexual and reproductive health have focused on how common particular problems might be. Thus, studies have tended to have relatively narrow focuses on, for example, the prevalence of pregnancy, miscarriage and termination, or on patterns of sexual practice and contraceptive use, or on the frequency with which individuals experience sexual difficulties. Yet, all of these are inter-related aspects of sexual and reproductive health that can have profound impacts on each other. Importantly, most of these studies have looked at these issues at a single point in time and could only infer the likely contribution of prior events on currently observed patterns. This study will recruit a random sample of Australians aged 16 to 65 years and interview them annually, initially over a four-year period. It will collect detailed information about sexual and reproductive health and provide essential information about how sexual and reproductive health changes as we age. It will document the relationships between patterns of sexual behaviour, contraceptive choices, pregnancy and its outcomes, and sexual functioning including the experience of sexual problems and the achievement of satisfaction in our physical and emotional intimate relationships.

Funding Amount $AUD 2,292,187.50

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant