Major+Social+Changes+and+Behaviours+Seen+in+Gen+Y

N8094861 Sally Robbie Tutor: Emily Mann

Generation Y Mental Health Status as a Result of Social and Behavioural Changes



This artefact is of a stereotypical ‘perfect’ generation x house which has the effect that it has been broken in half. This image simply can be used to explain a broken family situation. A home can be used to represents a family situation. It is placed on a fridge where commonly images are placed in a family home to display positive views/ thoughts or artwork. The artefact displays a sudden change of situation from something which was once viewed as normal or ideal to a negative view of a positive situation.
 * Artefact **

Generation Y has experience significant social changes one of which has been major variations of family circumstances and situations and another the consumer obsession seen amongst generation y. Mental Illness facts and statistic (2011) and Australian Bureau of statistics (2008) provide evidence there is a higher prevalence of children and adolescence mental health problems in those living in step/ blended and sole-parent families (AHIW). This puts the astounding 43,184 children involved in divorce in 2008 according to (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2011) at risk of developing a mental illness. Consumerism behaviours and the “must have” attitudes seen in this generation also contribute to the population mental health issue prevalent in generation y.
 * Public Health Issue **

Australian bureau of statistics (2003) reveal 26% of 16-24 year olds suffered from mental illness last year. This statistic alone allows us to conclude that this is a population health issue. This is one out of four too many young adults suffering from some form of mental illness in one year. Mental Illness facts and statistic (2011) state at least one third of young people have had an episode of mental illness by the age of 25  and the greatest numbers of people with a mental illness are within the age group of 18-24 years old.  This could be argued that that it is not a generation issue but an issue which effects people at these early stages in life, although (MHCA, 2011) declare the proportion of Australians estimated to have long-term mental or behavioural problems increased progressively between 1995 and 2005. Could this be a result of society being more accepting of mental health, therefore more people are speaking up and getting help? Statistics relating to mental health in previous generations at the same age in Australia was not found, therefore being able to compare was difficult. The information available illustrates mental health issues in young Australian’s which is currently generation y.
 * Literature Review **

From the statistic above the growing rate and concern of mental illness in generation y is made apparent. Does the change in family situation’s have any effect on an individual’s mental health?

Family circumstances over the last 30 years have changed considerably, divorced parents, sole parents, blended and step families, are all common terms for generation y families and children. According to Australian Institute of Family Studies (2011) 12950 children were involved in divorce in 1966, and 43184 in 2008. These alarming divorce rate statistics could be a result of a more accepting generation and possibly the decreases values of the likes of marriage. Or simply the radicel increase in population since 1966.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The issue which arises from more diverse families is the prevalence these situations have on mental health issues. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Mental Illness facts and statistic (2011) state there is a higher prevalence of child and adolescent mental health problems among those living in low-income, step/blended and sole-parent families. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Australian Bureau of statistics (2008) also back this statistic stating just over a third (34%) of people living in one parent families had a mental disorder compared with 19% of people in couple families with children. Wallerstein (2009) states children affected in post divorce situations can experience heightened anxiety problems and issues in forming relationships later on in life affecting an individual’s mental health. Although statistics show a prevalence of mental health amongst adolescence of divorced, step, blended and sole parent family’s data available is generally relating to divorced families and very little provided for step and blended families.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Another major social trend seen in generation y is consumerism; this will be addressed to provide an understanding of whether the major social changes seen in generation y are a contributor to the metal health issue.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Generation Y is known to be a consumer obsessed generation which learnt to shop early and often. Generation y <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> is surrounded in a world of advertising, technology, media and brand names which have a powerful way of drawing the consumer generation y in to have to have and need what is being offered not just wanting it. (Huntley, 2006). Growing up Generation Y kids influenced more than 70% of their parents clothing and food purchases and commanded a larger share of their family’s buying power than any other generation. (Huang, et al, 2010) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) show <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> between 2008-09, 72% of Australian households had home internet access and 78% of households had access to a computer. Between 1998 and 2009, household access to the internet at home has more than quadrupled from 16% to 72%, while access to computers has increased from 44% to 78% <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif';"> (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">. These results articulate how common the internet and computers have become in a matter of ten years and the prevalence of internet use. The internet is a major contributor to consumerism which has opened a whole new avenue of benefits and issues for today’s society.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Being a generation which has the availability to purchase anything at anytime due to technology and online shopping, home deliveries, 24 hour access, food modifications (nothing is out of season) this generation has all the reason to expect to get their hands on whatever they like. One of many issues which arises from the always being connected to technology and receiving everything when they please, is if they do not have this access it can cause technological disconnection (Taylor, 2011). This as a result may lead to emotional stress and may cause symptoms such as worry, negative emotions such as fear, anger, frustration, despair and physical distress which may lead to further mental health issues (Taylor, 2011).

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">No evidence can clearly state the exact reasoning for the mental health issue of generation y. The research gathered from government websites and peer reviewed journals of the last 10 years, provides evidence that alternative family structures and consumer obsession can be a contributor to the mental health issue of Australia’s generation y. Further research on generation y mental health would be beneficial to form a complete understanding of why this generation has such high mental health issues and ways which can benefit and make people aware of this out of control mental health situation.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Cultural and social analysis **

<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">As the above statistic’s illustrate the large number of generation y living with or have experienced some sort of mental illness is staggering. This provides us with the information to state mental illness is major issue within Australian young adults.

<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Social changes generation y has experienced can be proven to lead to the prevalence of mental illness such as the major change in family structure. AIHW (2003) study showed there is a higher prevalence of child and adolescence mental health issues among those living in low-income, step/ blended, sole parent or divorced families.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">As we know <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">in the past 30 years family circumstances have changed remarkably, some of the most notable changes include declining fertility rates, increasing number of individuals living at home, decreased marriage rates, increased divorce rates, increased number of one-parent families, and an increased labour force participation from women at a child bearing stage. (AHIW, 2003).

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Bowly’s theory (as cited in Berkham, 2001, John Bowby: The architect of attachment theory, Para . 4) “individual’s need for secure attachment for its own sake, for the love and reliability it provides and for its own safe haven. Primary attachment promotes a sense of security and self esteem that ultimately provides the basis on which the individual will form lasting, secure and loving relationships in adult life,” This theory expresses the importance family influence and structure has on an individual providing a safe environment and self esteem which plays a major role in an individual’s state of mental health. Self esteem is a significant predictor of psychological status in terms of anxiety and depression (Jomen and Martin, 2005). <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“Early childhood emotional development is becoming widely recognized as a critical period of development not only for emotional and cognitive development but for health as well.” (Bolwby. As cited in Berkham, 2001, John Bowby: The architect of attachment theory, Para . 4) Durkhiem also mentions how rapid changes which we can relate to divorce situations, “serve to deregulate values, beliefs and general norms and fails to rein in or guide individuals aspirations.” Durkhiem (as cited in Berkham, 2001, Émile Durkheim: social integration, alienation and anomie**,** para. 3) Thus resulting in generation y children having less beliefs and values, aspirations and generally not caring or striving for a great deal in life.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The impact of the generation y society’s focus on money and status, which in turn raises depression level’s could be a contributing factor in explaining why <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">the first snapshot of Australia’s mental health in a decade found that Generation Y is being ravaged by depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">There is an irony that the more people try to fulfil their fundamental need for belonging the more they lose it. Greatly aided by large-scale media and advertising, people yearn for branded clothing and expensive cars because owner ship of these materialistic items allows them to ‘fit in’ with the mainstream crowd. (Choi, 2011) One major influence in particular has been technology and computers with 72% of Australian households had internet and 78% had computers (ABS, 2009). Products such as apple encourage individuals to continuously go out and by the latest products and be a part of the ‘got to be connected 24/7’ generation y culture. This generation may not be realising the consequences this must have attitude have on their mental health. Taylor (2009) explains, the emotional stress that can be caused by technological disconnection may result in symptoms such as worry, negative emotions such as fear, anger, frustration, despair and physical distress. This can also relate to when an individual has the need for something and cannot purchase it.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Social trends such as the increase of technology use and consumerism as well as the major change in family circumstance, all contribute to the Australian mental illness issue ravaging Australian’s generation y.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Analysis of Artefact and Reflection **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A picture of a house which was once a functioning stable unit for family protection has been split in half which projects the negative and emotional impact this situation would cause. The ‘typical’ family home is a place in which children are brought up with beliefs, values and security which all combine to form an individual personality. Such a valuable circumstance can be broken so easily and cause major disruption in children and adults. The above statistics on the prevalence of divorced, step, blended and sole parent families clarify these once ‘secure family homes’ are more commonly broken amongst generation y, which in effect can contribute to mental illness in the forms of anxiety, depression and overall lower self esteem. This is not to say everybody from a divorced, step or blended family is going to end up with a mental illness, but as Durkhiem mentions “rapid change serve to deregulate values, beliefs and general norms and fails to rein in or guide individuals aspirations” This can be a possible contributing factor or a possible issue for children in the situation of parents divorcing and the family unit separating.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">I believe any sudden change in an individual’s life has the power to cause disruption. Dealing with generation y students in my future teaching career, it is important to take all these social changes into consideration and help provide the secure safe environment through school. Allowing there to always be one secure unit in an individual’s life may make a change or help protect the individual from mental health issues at the present time or later on in life. Life is never going to go according to plan or the way which is intended, providing youth with this knowledge and teaching them how to deal with uneasy situation’s and mental stress may help in future life.

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">I love the artefact which you have used, it captures an image we all do not want to see and believe but the importance and the truth behind this image sends out a great message. I think you have choosen a great and extremly relevant health topic to discuss as the taboo behind sexual health and infections is still a very big issue amongst society.I hope people start to recongnize that sti's are extremly serious and something needs to be done about the way society views and deals with the situation. You have provided alot of good information and statistics to back up your argument. ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Reflection Task **
 * <span style="color: #4f4f4f; display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Comment 1: Each time you sleep with someone, your also sleeping with his past. ||
 * || <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">[|**Srrobbie**] <span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">12 minutes ago


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">References **

<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Australian Bureau of statistics. (2009). 8146.0 – Household Use of Information technology, Australia, 2008-2009. Retrieved 19 October, 2011 from []

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). One in 5 Australian’s have a Mental Illness. Retrieved 27 September, 2011 from []=

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2011). Divorce and Children, 1966-2008. Retrieved on 18 October, 2011 from []

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2011). Number of Divorces and Crude Divorce Rate, 1901-2008. Retrieved on 18 October, 2011 from []

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2003). Australia's Young People 2003 - Their Health and Wellbeing. Retrieved 27 September, 2011 from []

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Berkham, L., Glass, T., Brissette, I., Seeman, T. (2001). From social integration to health: Durkhiem in the new millennium. //Social Science and Medicine, 51//, 843-857. Doi: 10.1016/S0277-9536(00)00065-4

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Emily Choi. (2011). Increasing Rates of Suicide in Generation Y. Retrieved 25 September, 2011 from []

<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Huang, J-J., Huang, M-Y. & Syu, F-K. (2010). Liberated Anomie in Generation Next: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Huntley, R. (2006). //The World According to Y: Inside the New Adult Generation//. [EBL Version]. Retrieved from [|http://reader.eblib.com.au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/(S(xemnwjwrwoshexjkkxgde1co))/Reader.aspx?p=276033&o=96&u=iEKdho02ViFZRP2VPq68iA%3d%3d&t=1317614920&h=B07BE2AA19F1EFC89FF1B26C56CE284846993C8C&s=4881219&ut=245&pg=1&r=img&c=-1&pat=n#]

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Mental Health Council of Australia. (2011). Statistics on Mental Health in Australia. Retrieved 27 September, 2011 from [].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Mental Illness Facts and Statistics. (2011). Response Ability. Retreived on 19 October, 2011 from []

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Taylor, J. (2009). Psychology of Technology: Disconnectivity Anxiety. Retrieved 19 October, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15px;">Wallerstein, J. (2009). The long-Term Effects of Divorce on Children: A Review. //Journal of The American Academy of Child and Adolescence Psychiatry.// (30) 3, 349-360. Doi: 10.1097/00004583-199105000-00001