The Housing Security Afforded By Later Life Housing Circumstances Of Ex-Service Households Of ...

286 Pages·2016·3.15 MB·English

The Housing Security Afforded By Later Life Housing Circumstances Of
Ex-Service Households Of Queensland: A Life Course Perspective.
Deborah Kay Oxlade
B. Health Science: Nursing (CQU)
Grad Dip. Management (CQU)
Grad Dip. Ageing & Social Planning (UTAS).

A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at
The University of Queensland in 2016
Institute for Social Science Research
Abstract
This thesis investigates the relationship between service in the Defence Forces, outcomes of
that service and later life housing outcomes of ex-service households. In particular, the
research focuses on households eligible for Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs
(DVA) benefits and support because of the past service of a household member. The outcome
of key interest is housing security, defined in this study as the independence, security and
control afforded beneficiaries by their household and housing circumstances.
The attainment of housing security in later life is of major importance in an ageing Australia
as it supports ageing in place, or the desire to remain at home or in a familiar place, and
provides a sense of wellbeing and belonging necessary for successful ageing (Australian
Institute Health & Welfare, 2013; Boldy et al., 2013; Hulse and Saugeres, 2008). Without
housing security households are at risk of more frequent residential relocation (Hulse &
Saugeres, 2008; Parkinson, 2010), housing affordability problems and housing stress
associated with the escalating costs of maintaining adequate housing as they age (Yates &
Bradbury, 2009), and potentially, premature admission to expensive residential aged care
settings (Faulkner & Bennett, 2002). Housing security is broader than tenure outcomes alone
(Hulse, 2010; Parkinson, 2010; Wiley et al., 2011). The social, emotive and material
circumstances and past experiences of the individual and household influence perception of
independence, security and control at any point in time (Clapham, 2005; Parkinson, 2010).
Central to the research design, consequently, is the historical timing and context of key life
events in the linked lives of household members.
The life course theoretical perspective underpins the analysis of how the early life
employment in Defence and individual service outcomes impact on the later life outcomes of
households. The circumstances of two broad cohorts are investigated based on the Defence
service timing of ex-service personnel. The World War II (WWII) cohort that experienced a
global event impacting both at home and abroad, and the post WWII cohort of ex-service
personnel who served during times of more regional conflicts and hostilities with less
engagement of the entire population.
A cross sectional design with a postal survey method was employed to capture recent and
past events and outcomes that influenced current household and housing circumstances, and
the housing security afforded the household. The self-administered questionnaire was piloted
with a convenience sample of beneficiaries. The research site was Queensland, as it was the
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state with the most ex-service households residing in rental housing (Department of Veteran’s
Affairs, 2010).
In the main study, a systematic random sample of DVA Total Beneficiaries data base of
Queensland identified 3000 households for inclusion. One beneficiary from each household
was invited to participate with a response rate of 25 per cent. A representative sample of 729
Queensland beneficiary households were analysed.
Comparative analysis of the WWII and post WWII households reveals differences within the
life domains of health, employment, income and relationships. These four life domains are
heavily implicated in the attainment and maintenance of housing security (Elsinga et al, 2007;
Hulse & Saugeres, 2008; Parkinson, 2010). The use of a purposively designed housing
security scale to estimate the level of housing security afforded by housing circumstances
provides the means of comparing between and within groups, service effects and other life
domains.
The majority of ex-service households are securely housed. This is demonstrated by their
level of equity in their dwelling and land, and broader housing circumstances. Beneficiaries
rate their circumstances as providing moderate to high housing security. While ranking of
housing security is closely associated with the level of household equity in their housing,
other factors intervene. A series of multiple regression analyses reveal which life course
factors are significant predictors of housing security among all beneficiaries, the WWII and
post WWII cohorts. The findings support conclusions of the European study of housing
security and insecurity (Doling, 2003; Toussaint & Elsinga, 2007) that changes in health,
relationships, employment and income impact on housing security and that housing security
is broader than tenure alone (Hulse & Saugeres, 2008; Parkinson, 2010).
This research provides new insight into the later life outcomes for ex-service households. It
highlights the socio-economic outcomes of households, their housing outcomes and the
housing security afforded individual beneficiaries. Of importance for policy makers and
planners, is the persistent effect mental and physical health changes of ex-service personnel
has on the cumulative socio-economic and housing outcomes of the ex-service household in
later life. The use of the housing security scale enables comparison of the effect of different
events and outcomes on the ranking given housing security and extends our understanding of
housing security in later life. The scale provides the means of comparing different groups and
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circumstances. This research highlights the household and housing circumstances that can
detract from the beneficiaries’ feelings of housing security.

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Declaration by author

This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published
or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have
clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my
thesis.

I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical
assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional
editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The
content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my
research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has
been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or
other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been
submitted to qualify for another award.

I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University
Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis
be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a
period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright
holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the
copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis.

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Publications during candidature
Oxlade, D. (2016). Life course factors predictive of housing security in later life among the
ex-service households of Queensland. In: Abstracts Australasian Housing
Researchers Conference, 17th February 2016, Auckland, New Zealand.
Oxlade, D. (November, 2015). Housing Security, Later Life Outcomes and Global Life
Satisfaction. Presented at Australian Association of Gerontology, Qld Division, Early
Career Researchers Seminar, Brisbane.
Oxlade, D. (July, 2015). Global Life Satisfaction and Later Life Housing Security among
Retired Ex-Service Households of Queensland. Presented at ARC Symposium,
Wellbeing and Social Network. Institute of Social Science Research, UQ, Brisbane.
Oxlade, D. (July, 2015). Housing Security among ex-service households. University of
Queensland, Institute of Social Science Research, 3MT Heat, Brisbane.
Oxlade, D. (2015). A Secure Future? The Housing Circumstance of Retired Ex-Service
Households of Queensland. In: Abstracts Australian Housing Researchers
Conference, 17th February 2015, Hobart.
Oxlade, D. (July, 2014). The housing circumstances of retired ex-service households of
Queensland. Institute for Social Science Research, Mid Candidature Seminar,
Brisbane.
Oxlade, D. (2012). Housing security among retired ex-service community. In: Abstracts 45th
National Australian Association of Gerontology Conference, 20-23 November, 2012.
Brisbane.
Oxlade, D. (2012). Housing security in later life. In: Abstracts Emerging Researchers in
Ageing Conference, 18-19 November 2012, Brisbane
Publications included in this thesis
No publications included.
Contributions by others to the thesis
No contributions by others.
Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree
None.
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Acknowledgements
There are so many people to acknowledge for supporting me on this PhD journey: family;
friends; colleagues, and the organisations that provided support in the recruitment of
participants. First and foremost are the men and women of the ex-service community to
whom we as a nation have a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made and the struggles
endured in service of Australia. I have greatly appreciated your openness in providing me
with insight into your lives. Your willingness to engage with this research was much
appreciated.
To my academic and professional support teams initially at University of Tasmania and then
at University of Queensland, a big thank you for assisting me with my personal journey and
specifically with research training. I started my journey as a distance student employed full
time, but quickly realised the extent of the commitment required to complete. To Dr Anthea
Vreugdenhil, (UTAS) a special thank you for your patience and support. To Dr Kristen
Natalier (UTAS) thank you for your insight into the world of Sociology.
To my supervisors at University of Queensland I extend my heartfelt thanks for the
encouragement, support and training I received to complete this journey. In particular, my
deepest gratitude to Dr Cameron Parsell for your enthusiasm and encouragement for this
project and to Dr Maree Petersen for your collegiate support and advice. To Dr Mark
Western, I wish to extend my thanks for your invaluable insight into the world of statistical
analysis and academia. The Institute for Social Science Research exceeded my expectations
as a warm and friendly place in which to learn and grow as a researcher. Not only is it a great
place to learn but the people employed there make all feel welcome and supported. Thank
you all, for the assistance provided me to complete this research.
I wish to acknowledge the organisations that provided me with financial and in-kind support.
In particular, I acknowledge the support of RSL Care Queensland and UTAS School of
Sociology and Social Work for their financial assistance in meeting the costs of the mail out
to potential participants. The RSL Care Board provided me with many opportunities across
my 11 years employment with them. The most valuable of which was the opportunity to work
closer with, and come to understand the key issues facing ex-service personnel and their
families as they age. I appreciate your support. I acknowledge also, the support of the
Department of Veteran’s Affairs in identifying a suitable sample of ex-service households,
and the support for mail out of reminder letters. To RSL Queensland and War Widows Guild
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Queensland I appreciated your in-kind support and time in the piloting of the survey, and to
your members who provided me with valuable feedback to improve the survey for the main
study. Without the assistance of these organisations this research could not have been
undertaken.
Finally I wish to acknowledge my husband Geoff, my family and friends. Thank you for your
never ending support and encouragement of my studiers over the years. To my colleagues
and friends at RSL Care and beyond a big thank you for your encouragement and advice. In
particular, I acknowledge the support and advice of Dr Lorraine Venturato, Dr Katrina
Radford and Dr Ellen Meissner at the commencement of this journey. To Ellen and Katrina
an additional thanks for your continued friendship and support along the way without which I
would have not survived.
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Keywords
housing, housing security, effects of military service, life course, ageing
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC)
ANZSRC code: 160810 Urban Sociology and Community Studies 70%
ANZSRC code: 160301 Family and Household Studies 30%
Fields of Research (FoR) Classification
FoR code: 1608 Sociology 70%; 1603 Demography 30%
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I ............................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction to the Research ..................................................................................... 2
Background ................................................................................................................................. 2
The Structural and Institutional Context .................................................................... 3
Nature of the Problem .............................................................................................. 13
Focus and Structure of the Thesis ............................................................................ 15
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 17
Defence Service Factors .......................................................................................... 18
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 18
Defence Service Employment Factors. .................................................................... 18
Outcomes of Service in Defence ............................................................................. 30
Veterans at Risk of Homelessness ........................................................................... 36
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 37
Part II. ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Linking Early Life Events and Later Life Outcomes .............................................. 40
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 40
Justification for the use of Life course theoretical approach ................................... 41
Life Course Theoretical Perspective ........................................................................ 45
The Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................... 52
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 56
Housing Security as a Construct in Australian Society .......................................... 58
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 58
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