International Journal of Rural Psychology

Archived Abstracts 2006

Relative contributions of rurality and community connectedness to subjective well-being in Victorian coastal regions. 30 January 2006

Dianne A. Vella-Brodrick, Fiona K. Judd, Evelyn D. Scannell & Sue Burney
School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia

Abstract
To identify features of place of residence that contribute to subjective well-being (SWB), rurality (Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia; ARIA), community connectedness, and sociodemographic factors were examined. Participants, 355 residents from the Gippsland Region of Victoria, Australia, completed quality of life (QoL), satisfaction with life (SWL), psychological distress, community connectedness, social desirability and sociodemographic measures. Hierarchical regressions indicated community connectedness (subjective ratings on community services, involvement and support), not rurality (ARIA), was significantly associated with SWB. Perceived community support and satisfaction with community involvement were significantly associated with QoL. Satisfaction with community involvement and satisfaction with distance from services were predictors of SWL, and satisfaction with community involvement predicted psychological distress. Sociodemographic variables such as illness/disability, age, relationship status and employment were also significant predictors of SWB. Results indicate the need to further examine the contributions of community connectedness to SWB more thoroughly at conceptual, empirical and practical levels.

Perceptions of Rural Academia

Bronwyn Ellis & Janet Sawyer
University of South Australia, Whyalla Campus
Dianne Boxall
La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga Campus
(now at Charles Sturt University, Albury Campus)
Dale Macklin & Maureen Dollard
University of South Australia, City East Campus

Abstract
This project explored the perceptions of rural academic life held by both metropolitan and rural academics from two multi-campus Australian universities. Initial interviews explored the insights of academics working in rural and non-rural contexts. It highlighted the balance between the positives and negatives of each situation and identified the value of rural academics to their institutions, discipline and community. A larger survey encompassed all academics of the rural campuses of both universities and a random sample of academics in their capital city campuses. The questionnaire investigated perceptions of the general nature of academic work, job demands, community representation, psychological stress levels, and job satisfaction. There was no difference in levels of stress or satisfaction between rural and urban academics. The combination of high job demands and low control, coupled with the relationship with the institution were the most important factors in predicting psychological distress and job satisfaction in rural academics. Results revealed some discrepancies between the two groups regarding the quality of rural academic working life. We conclude that that a better rural working climate could be achieved through more positive and accurate perceptions of the nature of academic rural work, reducing demands through increasing control over skill development focus, improving relationships with the institute, and through metropolitan and rural academics working together more closely.