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The attractiveness of regional towns: inferring quality of life from higher education facilities
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 23:13 authored by Drummond, A, Matthew PalmerMatthew Palmer, Halsey, RJWe examined whether the presence of higher education facilities made regional towns more attractive as potential residences. Metropolitan undergraduate students reported that they were more willing to live in a regional town with (vs. without) a university. Importantly, this applied regardless of whether they intended to work or study at the university. Perceived quality of life - defined as a combination of resident sociability and happiness, and the estimated amount of activities within the town - mediated the effect of university presence on residency likelihood ratings, suggesting that the presence of a university prompted participants to infer a higher quality of life for town residents. These results have implications for policy to counteract out-migration from regional areas, which threatens food security.
History
Publication title
The Australian and International Journal of Rural EducationVolume
23Pagination
21-30ISSN
1839-7387Department/School
School of Psychological SciencesPublisher
Society for the Provision of Education in Rural AustraliaPlace of publication
AustraliaRights statement
Copyright 2013 The Australian and International Journal of Rural EducationRepository Status
- Restricted