The Health and Wellbeing Implications of Economic Shocks

This thesis investigates the complex relationship between economic events and individual wellbeing in Australia, illustrating how economic disruption can impact people's health and economic stability. Using pre-existing survey and administrative data, and unique information from a newly collected survey, it demonstrates that economic adversity reduces self-assessed wellbeing, health, and economic security. It also highlights that responses to economic changes are shaped by individual circumstances—such as mental health and economic position—which influence how economic signals are perceived and acted upon. These findings are important for developing policies that foster resilience and equitable wellbeing outcomes amid economic change.