Sex, drugs and drinking: Health risks in the social lives of young workers
by Jo Lindsay
Youth Studies Australia, v.20, n.4, December 2001, pp.11-18.
Summary: A study of almost 400 young people in the manufacturing, building, hairdressing, fast food and retail industries in Melbourne found that these young workers face major health issues including smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Researcher Jo Lindsay suggests that policies and programs should be directed at reducing relationship and labour market insecurities to alleviate much of the stress that underlies harmful substance use, and sexual risk-taking.

Factors associated with risk-taking behaviour in Western Sydney's young people
by Esther Chang, Kathleen Dixon and Karen Hancock
Youth Studies Australia, v.20, n.4, December 2001, pp.20-25.
Summary: Inadequate transport infrastructure and boredom emerged from this study of Western Sydney's young people as two main factors that predispose them to risk-taking behaviour. Increasing government resources for transport and structured leisure activities, improving collaboration between youth service providers as well as increasing the involvement of young people in decision-making about services are possible ways of addressing these problems.

Providing services to homeless young people in Melbourne
by Shelley Mallett, Doreen Rosenthal and Paul Myers
Youth Studies Australia, v.20, n.4, December 2001, pp.26-33.
Summary: In a study of organisations in Melbourne that provided services to homeless young people, high staff turnover was primarily attributed to inadequate funding, lack of resources, low salaries and the stressful nature of the work. The study also found that supervision, debriefing and, especially, professional counselling and stress management were not routinely provided on a regular basis to all workers.

Are you old enough? Research ethics and young people
by Graeme Stuart
Youth Studies Australia, v.20, n.4, December 2001, pp.34-39.
Summary: Various codes of ethics have been developed for research involving young people; however, Graeme Stuart suggests that research with young people introduces additional ethical dilemmas that are not always easily resolved. Stuart believes that codes may need to be modified to include strategies concerning disclosure to maintain the integrity of young people's contribution to the research, and to respect young people's decisions regarding participation.

'You're a peer what?!': Clarifying the roles of peer supporters, educators and researchers for youth consultants
by Tony Phillips, Kathleen Stacey and Jai Milner
Youth Studies Australia, v.20, n.4, December 2001, pp.40-47.
Summary: Youth consultants are increasingly being used in human services fields; however, their roles are often not clearly defined. This paper provides a framework to assist youth consultants to orient to each role, identify when they are stepping into border zones, determine whether this is appropriate and take the most advisable course(s) of action.

Sibling Project
by Kate Strohm
Youth Studies Australia, v.20, n.4, December 2001, pp.48-52.
Summary: Not so long ago parents were advised to institutionalise a child with a disability for the sake of the family and, in particular, other siblings. Fortunately, that attitude has changed and children with disabilities are included not only in families but also the outside world. However, this arrangement can impact on the family, especially on other children who may be too young to understand their emotions and reactions. A project in South Australia is pioneering the provision of services for siblings of children with disabilities or chronic illness (special needs) - a group whose needs are only beginning to be recognised in Australia.

Last modified: 11 December, 2007