Selection of Current Projects

  • The Family Policy Database Austria
    The ÖIF has been operating the Family Policy Database (FPDB) since 2009. It systematically records and categorizes the family policy measures of the federal government and the federal provinces, their legal sources can be retrieved and all reforms based on them are managed. The ÖIF thus has an information system that contains both the current family policy measures and the catalogs of measures from the last 30 years.
    Project Management: Norbert Neuwirth 
  • Division of labour in partnerships
    How do couples divide household chores? What ideas do young people have? And why is it possible to be satisfied with a division that is perceived as unfair? In an online survey, 1,577 people between the ages of 16 and 88 were questioned about this. Although the study replicates the familiar image of female overtime, it also recognises generational differences. Last but not least, feelings play a role: people who receive more emotional attention in their partnership report greater satisfaction with the division of labour.
    Publication: Forschungsbericht 50
    Project Management: Christine Geserick

Projects of the Last Years (Selection)

Projects in 2023

  • Desire to have children and life satisfaction
    The importance of having children for a fulfilled life.
    Based on group discussions and biographical interviews with women and men, this study analyses social norms and individual meanings relating to life satisfaction and having children. It shows that the desire to have children is normatively expected and linked to norms of good motherhood and personal responsibility. This results in unequal challenges for women and men.
    Publication: Forschungsbericht 49
    Project Management: Dr. Eva-Maria Schmidt
  • Fatherhood in Austria
    An empirical study using a multi-method design.
    This study is based on a survey of 500 fathers, 250 mothers and 250 adolescents, as well as focus groups and a review of the current state of research. Active fatherhood was measured by competences, responsibilities and actual involvement. The analysis includes the extent, favourable and hindering factors of active fatherhood as well as wishes for and from fathers.
    Publication: Forschungsbericht 48
    Project Management: Dr. Andreas Baierl
  • Evaluation of child and youth welfare in Vorarlberg
    The central objective of this study was to examine the extent to which the new state law for child and youth welfare, which was passed in 2013, and the working principles set out therein, e.g. participation of children, young people and families in the provision of services, cooperation with private child and youth welfare organisations on the basis of agreements, are being implemented. The objectives were reviewed on the basis of interviews with various professionals as well as parents and other persons involved in education.
    Publication: ÖIF Forschungsbericht 47
    Project Management: Dr. Olaf Kapella


Projects in 2022

  • Corona and the Development of Romantic Relationships
    The study examines how effects of the initial exit restrictions have continued at the couple level. The central question is: Were couple-biographically relevant decisions made along a year that were related to the Corona pandemic and its implications? Did a separation occur, for example, or did the relationship stabilise or intensify? What about the realisation of the desire to have children? In all these topics, the influence of different socio-demographic variables is also taken into account, such as living environment, employment or already existing children, and the age of the child.
    Project Management: Dr. Christine Geserick

  • Grey Divorce in Austria
    In the context of this study, the mechanisms that lead to separation or divorce among people over 50 years of age are illuminated and the immediate and somewhat longer-term effects on social contacts and on support from the social environment are examined. The development of the number of cases in Austria as well as some characteristics of the persons concerned based on administrative data such as the divorce statistics are the subject of the study. For this purpose, qualitative, guideline-based interviews with affected men and women will be conducted and analysed.
    Project Management: Dr. Sonja Dörfler-Bolt

  • Digital Generation – Children, Young People and Digital Media (DigiGen)
    Within the framework of the EU funding programme Horizon 2020 of the European Commission, the ÖIF is conducting the project 'The Impact of Technological Transformations on Children and Youth - DigiGen' in a consortium. You can find the latest news on the EU project at DigiGen and on the social networks Twitter, Facebook und LinkedIn, as well as in an overview (German) of the empirical work to be carried out by the OIF.
    Project Management: Dr. Olaf Kapella
  • Evaluation of the Family Counselling Centres
    The subject of the evaluation is, among other things, the subjectively experienced effect of the counselling provided by the family counselling centres according to the Family Counselling Support Act as well as the subjective experience of what constitutes good or successful counselling. The findings are to be obtained on the basis of the individual perspectives and experiences of the clients and the counselors.
    Project Management: Dr. Olaf Kapella

Projects in 2021

  • Organisation of the 6th Austrian Family Report
    The OIF acted as the coordinating institution of the 6th Austrian Family Report, describing the development of the family in Austria in this decade, and showing the possible development trends, featuring 23 articles.
    6. Österreichischer Familienbericht
    Project Management: Mag. Norbert Neuwirth
  • Personal Care from the Perspective of the Cared-for and Relatives
    In this study, people in need of care of different ages or their relatives are to have their say and report their subjective perception of dealing with personal carers. This follow-up study to the OIF study "Dementia and Family" (ÖIF Forschungsbericht Nr. 30), which was published in 2019, is also designed with a focus on qualitative-reconstructive survey and uses guided interviews and content analysis.
    Publication: ÖIF Forschungsbericht 41
    Project Management: Dr. Christine Geserick

  • Women in the World of Work
    Flexible Working Options and Career Opportunities from the Perspective of Austrian Employers and Employees
    This study pursued the question as to how extended flexible working possibilities in the labor market are legitimized among employers and employees, with a particular focus on women, and whether these possibilities have potential to mitigate inequalities. Based on multi-perspective interviews and focus groups with employers and employees across Austria, the in-depth reconstructive analysis revealed how family-friendly flexible working opportunities perpetuate rather than level gendered inequalities, as men’s need for those opportunities do not emerge in the constructions. The lack thereof is neither explicitly addressed nor challenged.
    Publications: ÖIF Forschungsbericht 32 
    Schmidt, E-M. (2021) Flexible working for all? How collective constructions by Austrian employers and employees perpetuate gendered inequalities. In: Journal of Family Research. Early View. https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-668
    Project Management: Dr. Eva-Maria Schmidt

Projects in 2020

  • Career and Family Perspectives of Female and Male Scientists at Austrian Universities
    This project is dedicated to quantifying the career perspectives of female and male scientists, taking into account the type and location of the university, the department, but also in relation to personal characteristics.
    Publication:     ÖIF Forschungsbericht 38
    Project Management: Dr. Andreas Baierl
  • European Platform for Investing in Children
    The 'European Platform for Investing in Children - EPIC' is a platform for the exchange of policy measures for children and families. Every year, the AIF compiles a collection of data for the Country Profile Austria, focusing on the reconciliation of family and work, childcare options, protection against poverty, and the opportunities and rights of children. The current annual report is presented here.
    Project Management: Dr. Markus Kaindl 

Projects in 2019

  • Gender Gap in Political Participation and Representation.
    An international comparison and the situation of women in Austrian local politics
    The study examines how the gender gap in political participation and representation has developed in Austria compared to other countries, and which factors influence women's participation opportunities.
    Publication: ÖIF Forschungsbericht Nr. 31
    Project Management: Dr. Sonja Dörfler-Bolt
  • Dementia and Family
    The study investigates what the disease 'dementia' means in the family context, whether in a parent-child or couple relationship. In this qualitative study, family members of dementia patients who have chosen different care settings (family care, 24-hour care, inpatient care) were interviewed throughout Austria.
    Publication: ÖIF Forschungsbericht Nr. 30
    Project Management: Dr. Christine Geserick

Projects in 2018

  • Reform of the Act Concerning the Protection of Children 2013
    Evaluation of the new instruments in custody and contact proceedings
    The reform of the Child and Family Law in Austria in 2013 brought about a number of innovations in the field of custody and contact rights. How do professional actors assess the effects of the new instruments five years after the amendment came into force?
    Publication: ÖIF Schriftenreihe 29
    Project Management: Dr. Christiane Rille-Pfeiffer
  • Evaluation of the Federal Child and Youth Services Act (B-KJHG) 2013
    The AIF carried out the evaluation of the B-KJHG and collected different perspectives on the work of child and youth welfare on the basis of the B-KJHG.
    Publication overview:: Evaluierung B-KJHG
    Project Management: Dr. Olaf Kapella
  • Family Time - How Employment Sets the Pace
    Perspectives on a reorganisation of working time
    The study examines the time burdens of Austrian families and their desire for more family time. It discusses different working time models that can enable families to spend more time together and gives practical examples at state, municipal and company level.
    Publication: ÖIF Forschungsbericht Nr. 25
    Project Management: Mag. Georg Wernhart
  • Audit of Family-Friendly Communities
    Experiences from certified and non-certified communities
    With the family-friendly audit, communities can sustainably develop their family-friendliness with the involvement of those affected. The study shows the experiences with the structured and self-committing audit process and gives insight into the implementation of family-friendly measures in the communities.
    Publication: ÖIF Working Paper Nr. 91
    Project Management: Mag. Rudolf Karl Schipfer
  • Effects of Family-Friendly Programmes on Companies
    A study of audited companies
    The study investigates the correlations between the family-friendly measures implemented by the companies and their key business figures, by means of a quantitative survey of the audited companies.
    Publication: ÖIF Working Paper Nr. 89
    Project Management: Mag. Georg Wernhart