1. |
- Gunnarsdottir, Hrafnhildur, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between parents' subjective time pressure and mental health problems among children in the Nordic countries : a population based study
- 2015
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 15:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The home, the family and the parents represent a context of everyday life that is important for child health and development, with parent-child relationships highlighted as crucial for children's mental health. Time pressure is an emerging feature of modern societies and previous studies indicates that parents with children living at home experience time pressure to a greater extent than people with no children living at home. Previous studies of children's mental health in relation to parents' time pressure are lacking. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between parents' subjective time pressure and mental health problems among children in the Nordic countries as well as potential disparities between boys and girls in different age groups.METHODS: 4592 children, aged 4-16 from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, participating in the 2011 version of the NordChild study, were included. The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to measure children's mental health and associations to parents' time pressure were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Among children of parents experiencing time pressure, 18.6% had mental health problems compared to 10.1% among children of parents experiencing time pressure not or sometimes. The odds of mental health problems were higher among both boys (OR 1.80 95% CI 1.32-2.46) and girls (OR 1.95 95% CI 1.42-2.66) if their parents experienced time pressure when adjusted for financial stress. The highest prevalence of mental health problems in the case of parental time pressure was found among girls 13-16 years old (23.6%) and the lowest prevalence was found among boys 13-16 years old (10.7%).CONCLUSIONS: In this study an association between parents' subjective time pressure and increased mental health problems among children was found. Given that time pressure is a growing feature of modern societies, the results might contribute to an explanation as to mental health problems are common among children in the Nordic countries in spite of otherwise favourable conditions. Additional research on the linkage between parents' experienced time pressure and children's and adolescents' mental health problems is needed to confirm the novel findings of this study.
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2. |
- Gunnarsdottir, Hrafnhildur, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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To Live, Not Only Survive - An Ongoing Endeavor : Resilience of Adult Swedish Women Abused as Children.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-2565. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: A significant proportion of individuals exposed to maltreatment in childhood adapt positively in adulthood despite the adversities, i.e., show resilience. Little is known about resources and processes related to adulthood that promote resilience. Since women are overrepresented as victims of intrafamilial violence, understanding resilience among adult women is important. Objective: To explore experiences of resilience among adult women who perceive well-being and well-functioning although being exposed to maltreatment during childhood. Participants and Setting: This study included 22 women with experiences of childhood maltreatment, mean age of 48 years, living in Sweden. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted and analyzed according to constructivist grounded theory. Results: The process of resilience was experienced as an ongoing endeavor to live, not only survive, an internal process that interacted with external processes involving social relations and conditions. This endeavor was built on four interrelated resources: establishing and maintaining command of life; employing personal resources; surrounding oneself with valuable people; and reaching acceptance. These worked together, not in a linear or chronological order, but in up and down ways, turns and straight lines (now and then), through the process from maltreatment to well-being. Conclusion: Resilience was found to rest on intrapersonal and interpersonal resources. Individual's inherent capabilities can be, depending on life circumstances and available resources, realized in a way that promote well-being and well-functioning despite severe adversities. Therefore, public health initiatives, social services, and policies should provide conditions that help women maltreated in childhood to live fully rather than merely to survive.
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3. |
- Arveklev Höglund, Susanna, et al.
(författare)
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Relations and interrelations between Sense of Coherence, socioeconomic status and health behaviour : A systematic review
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/ObjectivesPrevious research shows that the stronger the sense of coherence (SOC) the healthier behaviour. A strong SOC seems to be related to lower consumption of drugs and smoking, more frequent physical exercises and healthier food choices. Further it is established by previous research that there is a difference in health behaviour between socioeconomic groups. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES) smoke to greater extent, have more sedentary lifestyle and make unhealthier food choices than individual with higher SES. The evidence regarding the interactive relations of SOC and SES to health behaviour or the potential mediating role of SOC in the relationship between SES and health behaviour is more unclear. In order to explore this, there is a need of systematic reviews of the evidence concerning SOC and health behaviour and interactions with SES.Thus, the objective of this study is to explore and synthesize empirical findings on the relationship between SOC and health behaviour among adults. Further the aim is to explore to what extent interactions with SES is considered in the studies of SOC and health behaviour. MethodsThe study is descriptive and analytical with a systematic integration of the contemporary knowledge base on the salutogenic research focusing on the relationship between sense of coherence and health behaviour among adults and interrelations with socioeconomic status. The review covers scientific publications as well as doctoral theses published 2008–2018. The review is systematic in the sense that all the included papers will be critically examined and analyzed according to (1) the study objective, (2) the study designs and methods for analysis and, (3) the applicability and practical use of the results. ResultsExpected outcomes of this study will be established state of the art regarding the relationship between sense of coherence and health behavior and interrelations with socioeconomic status. Further the results will identify knowledge gaps important to address in future research. DiscussionThe potential contribution of the synthesized knowledge to achieve a sustainable and equal development of health will be discussed as well as to what extent health inequalities can be explained or understood by SOC.
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4. |
- Bjereld, Ylva, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Mental health problems and social resource factors among bullied children in the Nordic Countries: A population based cross-sectional study
- 2015
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Ingår i: Child Psychiatry and Human Development. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0009-398X .- 1573-3327. ; 46:2, s. 281-288
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study estimated internalising and externalising mental health problems among bullied-, unclear if bullied- and not bullied children aged 4–16 in the Nordic countries, and identified resource factors to bullied children’s mental health. Data comes from the cross-sectional NordChild survey 2011 and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, including 6,214 children in the analyses. Mental health problems were most prevalent among children parent-reported as bullied (29.2–44.3 %), followed by children with unclear status if bullied (13.0–25.6 %) and not bullied children (5.3–7.9 %). Externalising problems were more prevalent in all groups except among bullied girls aged 7–16, where internalising problems were more prevalent. Ten potential resource factors to bullied children’s mental health were analyzed, finding that (1) children with at least three close friends had higher odds to be mentally healthy than children with fewer close friends and (2) bullied boys had higher odds to be mentally healthy if they regularly practiced sport.
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5. |
- Dahlberg, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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The Evidenced Effects of Early Childhood Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Parenting in the Nordic Countries : A Systematic Review
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. - : Tech Science Press. - 1462-3730 .- 2049-8543. ; 25:4, s. 505-537
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The first years of life and the family context are key to the promotion and protection of children’s health and well-being, emphasizing the need for interventions aimed to support families with young children. This review aimed to explore the effectiveness of early childhood interventions developed for promoting mental health and parenting among families with young children in the Nordic countries. Six electronic databases were systematically searched, and 20 articles covering 16 studies applying various quantitative and qualitative methods met the study inclusion criteria. The studied interventions were assessed as universal health-promoting interventions and health-promoting interventions with elements of prevention. Outcomes of interest encompassed mental health, related risk and protective factors among the parents and/or the children, or child-parent interaction. The results from studies applying statistical methods show significant improvements in parents’ self-efficacy, self-esteem, and parental satisfaction, while few improvements in parents’ social support or parental relationship were identified. Improvements in social support and parental relationships were however reported in qualitative studies. Most quantitative studies reporting on parents’ mental health problems and stress found a significant decrease, and qualitative studies highlighted experienced positive effects on mental health and well-being. The majority of studies reporting on children’s mental health and/or development as well as strengths and difficulties indicated a statistically significant positive development. No significant changes were however found for existing behaviora lproblems. The majority of studies examining parenting strategies and/or parent-child interaction found significant positive changes after the interventions. In sum, although findings are heterogeneous, early childhood interventions show various positive effects on the parenting and mental health of both children and their parents. The fact that different types of initiatives have been developed and implemented can be seen as an advantage, considering the varying needs and expectations of different families.
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6. |
- Eklund, Anna-Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing and promoting responsive interaction between parents and children – A qualitative study of the experiences of child health care nurses in Sweden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 0882-5963 .- 1532-8449. ; 63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: One of the main tasks of a child health care nurse is to assess and promote a responsive interaction and secure connection between children and their parents for the future. This study aims to develop an understanding of Swedish child health care nurses´ experiences of assessing and promoting responsive interaction between parents and children. Design and method: A qualitative interview study using an inductive approach was implemented. Eleven nurses were interviewed (range: 30–58 min) during the period March to August 2016, and the transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Three categories emerged: Interpreting signals in parent and child behaviour, Reinforcing the parents in their role and Feeling inadequate as professional. Interpreting signals in parent and child behaviour was described fundamental when promoting responsive interaction. Further reinforcing the parents in their role was described central. The child health care nurses also described how they often felt inadequate in promoting responsive interaction. Conclusions: Assessing and promoting responsive interaction is an important but challenging task which requires extensive knowledge and good communication skills. The child health care nurses express their insufficiency in that regard. Practice implications: A targeted education and sufficient time for each visit at the child health care center should be allocated to facilitate the important work on parenting and child interaction and to enhance nurses' feelings of managing their work. © 2021 The Authors
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7. |
- Eklund Karlsson, Leena, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Are universal measures sufficient in reducing child poverty in the Nordic countries? : An analysis of policies and political commitments
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - London : Sage Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 50:7, s. 892-902
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) have long traditions of social welfare policies that have eradicated poverty as part of their goals. The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of why child poverty is still significant in the Nordic countries despite existing strategies. Methods: A qualitative analysis of Nordic government documents and reports between 2007 and 2019 was carried out to track changes in public health priorities and political measures and to determine the similarities and differences between the five countries. Results: In all countries, most of the measures were universal, such as benefits during pregnancy, paid parental leave before and after the child was born, paid parental leave related to children’s sickness, child allowances, day care, free health care for children and support for disabled children. National policies aimed to reduce social inequalities and child poverty exist in all five countries, but unaffordable housing, unequal disposable family income distribution and unequal income distribution at local municipality levels seem to be obstacles to reaching national policy goals. Conclusions: Despite comprehensive universal measures to eradicate child poverty, inequalities are significant and increasing in some of the Nordic countries. This might be due to a lack of proportional universalism, where universal measures are in place in all Nordic countries, but with a lack of scale and intensity proportional to the children and families at risk. The significance of eliminating social inequalities needs to be emphasised at the local level.
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8. |
- Flodin, Nina, et al.
(författare)
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The Perceived Power and Powerlessness in School Health Nurses’ Mental Health Promotion Practices : A Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of School Nursing. - 1059-8405 .- 1546-8364. ; , s. 1-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Schools are important arenas for mental health promotion initiatives. School nurses have the opportunity and ability to support and promote students’ mental health, but their role and practices have been perceived as somewhat unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore school nurses’ mental health promotion practices. A total of 12 scientific studies were synthesized through a meta-ethnographic approach. The overarching results of the synthesis show that school nurses’ mental health promotion practices are largely about balancing and combining the students’ needs with different professional perspectives, competencies, and conditions. The school nurses perceived that they had the power to influence their practices through a variety of ways, highlighting the importance of letting the students’ needs guide the practices. Yet, at the same time they described feelings of powerlessness because of the different organizational structures that were hindering their mental health promotion practices.
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9. |
- Gunnarsdottir, Hrafnhildur, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Att ha en positiv syn på framtiden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Child and Youth Studies Conference University West November 10-11 2022. - Trollhättan : Högskolan Väst. ; , s. 6-6
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Som generation beskrivs dagens unga värdera sociala relationer högre och prioritera välbefinnande och lycka jämfört med tidigare generationer (1). De anses vara öppnare och mer toleranta men också mindre optimistiska då de i stor utsträckning har upplevt negativa världshändelser (2,3). Att ha en positiv syn på framtiden är en viktig aspekt av välbefinnande, men vad innebär positiv syn på framtiden för dagens unga och vad behöver de för att kunna ha en positiv syn på framtiden?MetodI detta projekt presenteras delar av resultaten från en större studie med syfte att undersöka ungas uppfattningar om psykiska besvär och psykiskt välbefinnande. Individuella intervjuer genomfördes med 33 personer mellan 16 och 25 år och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys (4,5).ResultatFramtid tolkades av de unga som alltifrån det stundande sommarlovet till det som händer om flera år. De relaterade positiv syn på framtiden till en variation av erfarenheter så som: att känna tilltro; inneboende optimism och livslust; att ha mål att sträva mot; och saker utanför den egna makten. Möjligheten att forma framtiden själv och inte styras för mycket av andras förväntningar och krav upplevdes viktigt för att kunna ha en positiv syn på framtiden.
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10. |
- Gunnarsdottir, Hrafnhildur, et al.
(författare)
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Relative deprivation in the Nordic countries-child mental health problems in relation to parental financial stress
- 2016
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Ingår i: European Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1101-1262 .- 1464-360X. ; 26:2, s. 277-282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The Nordic welfare system has been acknowledged as favourable for children, successfully contributing to low child mortality and poverty rates. Nevertheless, mental health problems among children and adolescents are common and the economic situation of the family has been highlighted as an important determinant. In spite of similar social, political and cultural structures, the Nordic countries differ; Iceland was most affected by the global financial crisis in 2008. The aim of this study was to examine potential differences in parental financial stress and the associations to child mental health between the Nordic countries as well as age and gender differences. Methods: The study sample consisted of 6330 children aged 4-16 years old included in the 2011 version of the Nordic Study of Children's Health, Wellbeing and Quality of life. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to measure mental health problems. Results: In Iceland, 47.7% of the parents reported financial stress while <= 20% did so in the other countries except for Finland (33.5%). However, in case of parental financial stress the OR of mental health problems comparing children to parents with and without financial stress was significantly lower among the Icelandic children (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.15-2.24) than among the others: Denmark OR 3.07 (95% CI 2.15-4.39), Finland OR 2.28 (95% CI 1.60-3.25), Norway OR 2.77 (95% CI 1.86-4.12), Sweden OR 3.31(95% CI 2.26-4.86). No significant age or gender differences in the ORs were observed. Conclusions: Besides socioeconomic situation, relative deprivation should be considered an important determinant of child mental health.
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