Centres of Research Excellence Fund

2006 Expressions of Interest

Families Young and Old

Director:   Assoc Prof. Richie Poulton
Host:         University of Otago

Partners:    Victoria University of Wellington
                  Auckland University of Technology
                  The University of Waikato

Abstract:

The Families Young and Old Research Centre aims to become the world’s most comprehensive source of information about family relationships, human development, and adaptation – from cradle to grave – by repeatedly measuring New Zealand families across multiple generations. The Centre will promote innovative approaches such as prospective-longitudinal studies of intra-individual change and pathways to opportunity; migration studies to better understand national identity; and new intergenerational-transmission studies of risk and resilience across three generations of NZ families.

The Centre will provide a “one-stop-shop” for knowledge about the human condition, from birth through old age, via multidisciplinary, multigenerational research. We will study a broad range of positive and problematic outcomes, spanning: chronic physical diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, emphysema); disease risk factors (e.g. obesity); mental health problems (e.g. depression, schizophrenia, suicidality); criminality and pro-social behaviour; health-promoting and health-risk behaviours (e.g. diet, sedentary behaviour); educational achievement and employability; optimal cognitive development; social relationships (ranging from engagement with civic institutions to close interpersonal relationships); parenting; and cultural/national identity. Multiple pathways to any particular outcome are anticipated, and sophisticated methodologies will be used to capture this complexity.

New research will include (1) sampling grandparents to build on the world-class Dunedin and Christchurch lifecourse studies, and the ground-breaking Pacific Island Families study at AUT; (2) founding a nationally-representative prospective-longitudinal cohort of the elderly (65-years-old at baseline, N=4000). The new cohorts/samples will faithfully represent the multicultural nature of contemporary NZ.

The Centre will provide a unique blueprint for the creation of a healthy, cohesive, and adaptable Kiwi nation for the 21st century, and beyond. Data will inform policymaking and practice in New Zealand and overseas. It will have relevance to all Government departments and Ministries (including Treasury) and special relevance to key policy areas such as Social Development, Health, Education, Justice, Labour, and Maori Development.