People living in disaster-affected areas feel more connected to their community and feel safer than average Australians, according to new findings from the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index.
However, while the affected communities at large appear to benefit from this support, the research showed that those more personally affected by the disasters have not yet recovered their wellbeing.
The survey’s special report targeting the communities hardest hit by the February 2009 Victorian bushfires and the January 2011 Queensland floods compared this group of respondents’ wellbeing to other communities not affected by the disasters.
It found that people in those communities report satisfaction with their safety and community at the highest rates ever recorded in the 10 years of the research’s history (see report page 8).
Professor Bob Cummins from Deakin University, co-author of the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, says it may seem strange that the experience of a disaster would make people feel safer but both disasters triggered an outpouring of support and assistance to these communities which would inevitably bring people closer.
“It is also likely the experience of shared trauma and neighbourhood cooperation forged a common bond among residents. This not only served to enhance community togetherness but also a sense of safety,” Professor Cummins said.
“Also, Government initiatives have ensured new systems of early warnings and preventative measures which likely enhance the future safety of residents.
Dr Melissa Weinberg of Deakin University, co-author of the report, said people who suffered home damage in the fires and floods still report low scores on many indicators of wellbeing, such as their health, sense of achieving in life, and their future security (see report page 8).
“For the people who were directly, personally affected, the support directed to rebuilding the damaged towns has not been enough to compensate for what they have lost,” Dr Weinberg said.
This effect at the time of measurement was found to be stronger for those affected by the floods than those who experienced the fires. The findings showed that some respondents affected by the floods reported their relationships were affected for the worse and this had a spill-over effect to decrease their general wellbeing.
Professor Cummins says this difference between the two affected groups could give us new insights into the length of time it takes for individuals’ wellbeing to recover from catastrophic events.
"Those who experienced the bushfires in 2009 and reported that their relationships were affected for the worse have had almost three years to recover from the disaster. By contrast, those who experienced the floods in early 2011 have not had as long to recover (see report page 17). Thus, the damage sustained to their personal relationships continues to affect other areas of their wellbeing. The good news is that, as shown by those who were affected by the fires, this effect should wane with time," Professor Cummins said.
Rohan Mead, group managing director of Australian Unity, said that sadly natural disasters occurred too often in Australia due to our challenging landscape and environment. He said he hoped the research would make an important contribution to understanding how best we can support those Australians who suffer as a result of such events.
“Australian Unity, together with Deakin University, created the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index in 2001. Its findings have been consistent over the last decade—that having a sense of community is vital to wellbeing,” Mr Mead said.
ends
Background
The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index monitors the subjective wellbeing of the Australian population. The first survey was conducted in April 2001 and this report concerns a special survey (Survey 25.1), undertaken in October 2011. The survey involved 1,215 respondents (600 from Victoria and 615 from Queensland) who lived in communities directly impacted by the Queensland floods and Victorian bushfires of 2011 and 2009 respectively.
The comparative sample
In March 2009, a survey (Survey 20.1) was conducted to explore the Subjective Wellbeing of people living in Queensland and Victoria at the time of the 2009 floods and fires. Due to issues of sensitivity people who may have been personally directly, affected by these disasters were excluded. Survey 20.1 serves as an appropriate reference group for the present sample, allowing for comparison by state and disaster type. It is important to note that Survey 20.1 identified that the broader community’s wellbeing rose a significant 1.1 percentage points to the second highest yet recorded, believed to be due to the impact of their sense of “community connection” as part of the general community response to the disaster. A final comparison sample comprised participants from Victoria and Queensland, as part of Survey 26 of the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index Surveys, and was conducted in September 2011.
About Australian Unity
Australian Unity is a national healthcare, financial services and retirement living organisation providing services to more than 560,000 Australians, including some 300,000 members nationwide. Australian Unity’s history as a trusted mutual organisation dates back 170 years. It has grown organically—by continually evolving and providing the services and products needed by the communities it serves—as well as through successful strategic mergers and diversification into new business activities.
For media enquiries: Gail Carland, Communications Manager, Australian Unity on 0429 187 105 or Caroline James, Caroline James Public Relations on 0413 481 579
