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Objective: To examine differences between women family carers of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities and a group of women 'non-carers' in self-reported physical health, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, social support and feelings of overload., Method: Using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing system, a random survey of more than 26,000 households was conducted in Victoria to identify and then interview a representative sample of family carers of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The women in the sample (n = 857) were then compared with a sample of women with 'usual family responsibilities' (n = 219) in terms of physical and emotional states., Results: We found higher rates of self-reported ill-health and use of medication, more negative effect, and less life satisfaction and perceived social support, among carers than among women in the comparison group. Even though the latter were more likely to be caring for one or more children, compared with the carers they reported less overload. Irrespective of carers status, women without partners expressed less life satisfaction, and more social isolation and negative effect., Conclusions and Implications: The poorer health status and emotional well-being of carers compared with non-carers among women, and associations between overload, social isolation, negative effect and health problems within carers, point to a number of practical interventions such as promoting an awareness in GPs and other health professionals of the impact of caregiving on the health of their patients; informing them about relevant community services; and encouraging appropriate referrals.

Trained clinicians interviewed 346 people who were representative of those aged 15 to 60 years staying in crisis accommodation centres for the homeless and cheap single-room accommodations in inner Melbourne. The interviewers used a standardised diagnostic instrument, the structured clinical interview for DSM III-R. (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders - revised), to diagnose a range of severe mental disorders, including psychotic, affective, and substance-related disorders. Almost half the people interviewed received diagnoses of current disorders and over 70% received diagnoses of lifetime disorders. The prevalences of lifetime and current disorders in all categories were as high in young as in older men. Only small numbers of women were seen. The relatively high prevalence of disorder in younger men may be related to selective factors in the survey, to a cohort effect, or to recovery or death of older men with a history of mental disorder. From a practical point of view the important issue is the effect of varying systems of mental health care, and of welfare and housing policies, on the course and outcome of the various disorders, and on the likelihood of individuals living impoverished and disaffiliated lives.

This paper documents the initial phase of a new research direction which began in 1984 at Royal Park Hospital. Attention is focussed on the place of the university and the research institute in the psychiatric hospital and on the perceived need for concerted research on the major psychoses in Australia. The focal point of the Royal Park research programme, the Aubrey Lewis Clinical Research Unit, has been open since October 1984. The development of the unit's research activities during the initial few years of its existence required an awareness of specific scientific, administrative and political issues. These are discussed in detail in order to convey something of the process, as well as the content of such development, and in an attempt to provide some assistance to others undertaking similar developments.