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Background The COVID-19 pandemic may have multifarious adverse effects on the mental health of some youth. To our knowledge, no study has followed young people beyond the first 6 months of the pandemic outbreak. The aim of this study was to examine 1) Change in internalizing, externalizing, and total mental health problems over two time-points with a nine-month interval during the COVID-19 outbreak and 2) Whether contextual and COVID-19-related factors contribute to change in mental health problems. Methods Youth within the municipality of Bergen aged 11-19 years were invited via SMS to participate in an online survey in April and again in December 2020. A total of 2997 (40% response rate) youth participated at baseline in the present study, and 1598 (53.3%) completed the second survey. At baseline, the mean age was 16.0 (standard deviations 1.7) years, about 60% were girls, and 93% were born in Norway. Comparison across time was approached using inferential statistics and mixed linear models with maximum likelihood estimation and mixed-effects logistic regression models. Results There was an overall increase in total mental health problems from the first weeks into lockdown to 9 months after the pandemic outbreak. The overall increase seems to be exclusively driven by internalizing difficulties, i.e., increases in emotional problems and peer problems. The level of externalizing difficulties, i.e., conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention remained stable between the two time-points. Conclusions Our results imply that in the wake of the pandemic, one should be aware of emerging mental health problems among presumably resilient youth, in addition to the more expected and pronounced mental health needs of vulnerable groups. Efforts to reach out to the general youth population with preventive measures in schools may be important actions to normalize the situation for young people, and to identify those in need of more targeted mental health interventions.

Background Foster children have a high risk of mental disorders. This has contributed to increased international attention to service utilization for youth in foster care. The aim of this study is to examine whether youth in foster care receive services according to need, by using a multi-informant design. Method Detailed information on the type and frequency of service use during the last 2 years and on youth mental health were collected from foster youths and their carers in Norway ( n  = 405, aged 11–17 years) through online questionnaires. Mental health was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics and log-binominal regressions. Results In total, 48.8% of foster youths showed evidence of mental health problems, and 74.5% of foster families had contact with services. Increased mental health problems and living in non-kin foster care were associated with more service use. Youths with mental health problems had twice the probability of receiving services from the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) and primary health care services compared to youths without problems. However, 57.0% of youths with carer-reported mental health problems did not have contact with CAMHS. Conclusions Service use among foster youths was associated with service need rather than demographic and placement characteristics. The majority of youths with mental health problems did not receive services from CAMHS. However, many of them were in contact with primary health care services.

In this study, we aimed to examine health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic among a general sample of young people in Norway aged 11–19 years. More specifically, we examine: (1) Change over 2 time-points in five health-related quality of life dimensions, (2) Whether sociodemographic- and COVID-19-related factors contributed to change in these five dimensions, (3) Whether parental stress and socioeconomic status at T1 interacted with change in health-related quality of life across T1 and T2. Data collection lasted from April 27th to May 11th, 2020 (T1), and from December 16th, 2020, to January 10th, 2021 (T2). Youth aged 11–19 years (N = 2997) completed the KIDSCREEN-27, COVID-19 related and sociodemographic items. Parents (N = 744) of youth aged 15 years and younger completed the parental stress scale and sociodemographic items. Physical and psychological wellbeing declined significantly from March to December 2020. Subscale scores for social support and peers increased. Controlling for a broad number of sociodemographic and COVID-19-related factors did not make an overall impact on the estimates. Those worried about infection, older aged, girls, and youth born outside Norway had a steeper decline in health-related quality of life subdimensions from T1 to T2. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we warrant special attention to the recovery of youth's physical and psychological wellbeing.

Aims: To examine perceived consequences for everyday life, learning outcomes, family relations, sleep problems and worries for infection, for friends and their future, among youth aged 12–19 years during weeks 7 to 9 of the COVID-19 lockdown in Norway. We examine variations by age, gender, socioeconomic status and country of birth. Methods: Youth within the municipality of Bergen were invited via SMS to participate in a 15-minute online survey. A total of 2997 (40%) youths participated. The mean age was 17 years (standard deviation 1.7). Results: Overall, 28% reported feeling somewhat to a lot impacted by schools closing, 63% reported learning less. In total, 62% reported improvement of everyday life. The youth’s situation in their family was worse for 13%. Regarding sleep problems, 19% reported difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep, 12% had more nightmares, while 90% reported later bedtime and rise time. Seven per cent worried about getting infected, while 53% worried about infection among family members. A total of 19% worried that the outbreak would lead to a more difficult future, and 32%worried that friends were facing a difficult situation at home. Perceived consequences and worries related to the lockdown varied across sociodemographic groups. Conclusions: The perceived consequences and degree of worries varied by age, gender, socioeconomic status and to a certain degree country of birth. Girls, older youth, youth with lower socioeconomic status and with a migrant background from developing countries seemed to experience the lockdown as more difficult, and thereby possibly accentuating the need for services in these groups.

This two-wave longitudinal study aimed at increasing knowledge about levels of parental stressors and rewards among mothers and fathers of children aged 1-18 during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. The COVID-19 pandemic and infection-control measures have caused changes to family life. Managing homeschooling or caring for younger children while working from home may have posed significant strain on parental stress, negatively impacting the quality of parent-child relationships and parents' sensitivity to their children's needs. We employed data collected in April 2020 and April 2021 from the longitudinal population-based survey in Bergen/Norway (Bergen in ChangE-study). 7424 parents participated (58.6% mothers and 41.5% fathers). The overall levels of parental stressors and rewards did not change significantly. Over the two time points, the factors associated with decreased parental stressors were being male, aged 40-49 years, having a relatively high income, and reporting initial difficulties with closed kindergartens or schools. For parents aged 18-29 years, the level of parental stressors increased. The study suggests that the overall levels of parental stress remained unchanged during the first year of the pandemic. Even so, the study also uncovered that younger parents represented a vulnerable subgroup. To prevent detrimental consequences in the wake of the pandemic, it could be important to increase awareness and competence among professional staff in kindergartens, primary schools, and child health clinics targeting young parents and their children.

A randomized prevention study for ethnic minority mothers assessed the intervention effects of Parent Management Training—Oregon Model (PMTO) on maternal parent practices and child behavior. Ninety-six mothers from Somalia and Pakistan and their children aged 3 to 9 years were randomized to PMTO or a wait-list condition (WLC). Assessments were carried out at the baseline and post-intervention, using standardized measures and a multi-agent approach. All analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that PMTO was effective in enhancing parent practices, with a decrease in harsh discipline and an increase in positive parenting. Moreover, PMTO produced reductions in motherreported child conduct problems. The largest effect sizes were found among mothers who attended more than 50 % of the PMTO group sessions. Teacher reports showed, however, that there were no significant intervention effects on conduct problems and social competence in kindergarten or school. The results emphasize the importance and feasibility of offering PMTO to ethnic minority families.

Background Raising children in new social and cultural contexts can be challenging for parents. In order to help parents address these challenges, the Norwegian government has instituted a policy of mandatory parent training for families who settle in Norway as refugees. The Incredible Years (IY) and The International Child Development Programme (ICDP) have been widely adopted throughout Norway. They have similar aims: to improve parenting through positive parenting practices and development of attachment behaviors. We will evaluate the use of these programs and a measurement feedback system (MFS) to give regular feedback to interventionists about parents’ progress during the course of the parenting intervention. Methods The study is a mixed method, randomized factorial design aimed at evaluating the effect of parenting interventions and the use of feedback to address parental stress, child behavior, resilience, and parents’ mental health. Factor 1 is based on random assignment to one of the parenting interventions IY or ICDP. The parenting interventions are delivered over 15 weeks (IY) or 12 weeks (ICDP) in group-based settings. Factor 2 is based on random assignment of the parenting groups to the (a) with MFS or (b) without MFS condition. The MFS is answered weekly via a phone app, MittEcho, and results are sent to group leaders in the MFS condition. Additionally, the study explores the experiences of families settling in a new cultural context and participating with parenting programs via qualitative interviews. Participants will be recruited from a population of parents with children between the age of 6 and 12 years who settled in Norway as refugees within the previous 9 years. The target sample size is N = 360; n (IY) = 180, n (ICDP) = 180 families. This study is a collaboration between first-line, municipal services; their national governing agencies; family representatives; and a national network of research organizations. Discussion This study endeavors to provide information about what helps families with refugee background integrate successfully into new cultural contexts with different laws, norms, and expectations. Whether or not these interventions can help to normalize this experience, reduce stress, and provide parents with new tools to improve their parenting and the lives of their children are important questions which we address. These findings can lead to the further establishment of evidence-based practices in Norway. Trial registration ISRCTN35008070 . Registered on February 24, 2020

Background This study provides an empirical test of the reasoned action approach (RAA) socio-cognitive theory with the aim of 1) predicting the intention of public dental health personnel (PDHP) to report suspected child-maltreatment to child welfare services (CWS); 2) estimating the effects of the theoretical constructs of RAA, including experiential and instrumental attitudes, injunctive and descriptive norms, and perceived capacity and autonomy regarding PDHP’s behavioural intentions; and 3) exploring whether the RAA operates equivalently (i.e., is invariant) in male and female providers. Methods This national cross-sectional study was conducted in Norway. An electronic survey was distributed to 1542 dentists and dental hygienists working in the public dental health service. The survey included RAA items constructed in accordance with the recommendations for the RAA model. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to identify factors derived from the theory of RAA to predict PDHP reporting intentions. Results A total of 77.8% (1200) of those surveyed responded to the survey. The present study provided support for the utility of the RAA across both male and female providers in predicting their intention to report suspected child-maltreatment to the CWS. The final modified SEM model revealed that instrumental attitudes and perceived behavioural control (based on merged capacity and autonomy parameters) were the strongest predictors of intention to report, followed by the reporting of descriptive norms, injunctive norms and experiential attitudes. These factors explained 63.6% of the observed variance in the reporting intention. Conclusions The large amount of explained variance suggests that RAA is a well-functioning theory that predicts PDHP’s reporting intentions to CWS across gender, and gives an understanding of the socio-cognitive factors involved. To strengthen reporting intention among dental personnel, this study suggests educators should focus on the value and positive consequences of reporting, the resources available and how to overcome obstacles; attention to normative expectations and individuals’ feelings about reporting may also be helpful.

Background To prevent child maltreatment, the identification of vulnerable children is essential. In Norway, public dental health personnel (PDHP) report suspicion of child maltreatment to child welfare services (CWS) at a relatively high rate. However, their reasons for reporting and the response from CWS have not been investigated. The objectives of this study were to (1) explore the reasons that PDHP send reports of concern, (2) examine how CWS responds to PDHP reports, and (3) assess whether different reasons for concern are associated with a given response from CWS. Methods A national cross-sectional study was conducted by an electronic survey distributed to public dental hygienists and dentists in Norway. Descriptive statistics were calculated in terms of mean (SD) distributions and frequency, expressed as % (n). To account for clustering of responses among respondents, binomial generalized estimating equation analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of CWS responses across number of reports with different reasons for concern. Results Of a total of 1542 questionnaire recipients, 1200 (77.8%) responded to the survey. From 2012 to 2014, 42.5% of the respondents sent 1214 reports to CWS, with a mean number of 2.7 (SD = 2.0) reports per respondent. The PDHP sent the reports due to suspicion of neglect or physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. Non-attendance at dental appointments and grave caries were reported most frequently. Among the reports, 24.5% resulted in measures being taken by CWS, 20.7% were dropped, and 29.4% lacked information from CWS on the outcome. Reports due to suspicion of sexual abuse, (OR 1.979, 95% CI (1.047–3.742), P  = 0.036), grave caries (OR 1.628, 95% CI (1.148–2.309), P  = 0.006), and suspicion of neglect (OR 1.649, 95% CI (1.190–2.285), P  = 0.003) had the highest association with the implementation of measures. Conclusions PDHP report on several forms of child maltreatment and contributes in detection of victimized children. However, the relatively low number of measures being taken by CWS and the number of reports that lack a response to reporters reveal a need for a closer cooperation between the services, as this would benefit both the children at risk and the services.

ObjectivesRaising children with conduct problems represents a special challenge, and parents of these children often experience parenting stress and develop other adjustment problems of their own. However, there is little knowledge as to how participation in treatment influences parental adjustment problems, for instance parental experience of stress and well-being. The aim of this study is to investigate possible changes in mothers’ perception of well-being and distress over the course of the treatment of child conduct problems.MethodsThe study used mothers’ reports from two interconnected studies of PMTO in Norway, a randomized controlled study, and a large-scale implementation study.ResultsThe levels of psychological stress were high, both in terms of general symptoms of anxiety and depression, and problems with everyday functioning indicating stress that is more chronic. Several measures of well-being and distress showed significant change over the period from intake to post treatment. The changes were significantly related to perceived change in children’s conduct problems (all p < .05), but this only predicted a small part of the variance (all ΔR2 < .03).ConclusionsThe result indicates that mothers’ involvement in the treatment of their child’s conduct problems results in beneficial effect on mothers’ perception of well-being and distress, regardless of treatment condition. Other factors that alter children’s conduct problems are responsible for this change. Interpretations and potential implications of the findings are discussed.