Karin Boson

• Anderberg, Mats; Dahlberg, Mikael; Boson, Karin; Wennberg, Peter & Kapetanovic, Sabina (2026). Social establishment among young adults after treatment for substance use problems—A five‐year follow‐up study. International Journal of Social Welfare. ISSN 1369-6866. 35(3). doi: 10.1111/ijsw.70085. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Abstract Young people with substance use problems are at risk of having a significantly more difficult transition to adulthood. Without a stable income, it is difficult to get their own home and live an independent life. This article reports findings from a longitudinal study that analyses the social establishment among young adults 5 years after initiating outpatient treatment for substance use problems, with a focus on those not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The study utilises a longitudinal design, combining structured interview data from 452 adolescents treated at Maria clinics in Sweden at intervention onset with national register data at 5‐years post‐treatment initiation. NEET status and indicators of substance use, mental health, and criminality were analysed using chi‐square tests and logistic regression. Five years of post‐treatment, three quarters of enrolled youth were socially established; however, one quarter met the criteria for NEET status. NEET was associated with ongoing substance use, mental health issues, and criminality. Key predictors of NEET were financial hardship, exposure to violence, institutional placement, and lack of upper secondary school eligibility. A cumulative risk load significantly increased the likelihood of NEET status. Most young adults achieved social inclusion post‐treatment, but a subgroup remained excluded. Early interventions targeting cumulative risk factors are crucial to prevent long‐term marginalisation.

• Engan, Tina; Sønderskov, Mette; Hovik, Kjell Tore & Boson, Karin (2026). Fra lavterskeltilbud til helsefremmende tiltak i skolehverdagen: En studie av udekkede psykiske helsebehov blant ungdom og unge voksne. Psykologi i kommunen (PIK). ISSN 1892-3364. 2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Psykiske helseutfordringer blant barn og unge er økende, og eksisterende lavterskeltilbud oppleves som utilstrekkelige. Denne studien undersøker udekkede behov og mulige løsninger basert på vurderinger fra fagpersoner i praksisfeltet, gjennom et flermetodedesign bestående av en spørreundersøkelse og tre fokusgruppeintervjuer. Spørreundersøkelsen bekreftet et betydelig behov for tilgjengelige lavterskeltilbud, men over 85 prosent av respondentene oppga at dagens tjenester ikke dekker behovene. Fokusgruppeintervjuene utvidet forståelsen ved å fremheve behovet for å styrke helsefremmende og forebyggende tiltak i ungdommers hverdagsarenaer. Respondentene og informantene beskrev ungdom og unge voksne mellom 12 og 29 år som en særlig utsatt gruppe, preget av forventningspress, selvdiagnostisering, ensomhet og manglende mestring. Resultatene fremhever betydningen av universelle tiltak som fremmer fellesskap, mestring, robusthet og tidlig forebygging, samtidig som de balanserer omsorg og krav for den enkelte. Informantene problematiserte også hvordan overdreven tilrettelegging og byråkratiske barrierer kan øke sårbarheten. Skolen fremstår som en nøkkelarena for universelle tiltak som kan styrke alle unge, supplert av målrettede innsatser for de mest utsatte. Studien konkluderer med at psykisk helsearbeid for unge bør bevege seg fra et ensidig fokus på behandlingsorienterte lavterskeltilbud til en helhetlig modell som prioriterer helsefremming og forebygging i skolehverdagen.

• Boson, Karin; Kapetanovic, Sabina; Wennberg, Peter; Dahlberg, Mikael & Anderberg, Mats (2026). Demanding situations and workplace support for clinicians in youth substance use treatment. Discover Psychology. 6(1). doi: 10.1007/s44202-026-00676-w. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Gurdal, Sevtap; Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma & Kapetanovic, Sabina (2026). A Feasibility Study of Clinicians’ Perspectives on Relapse Prevention Treatment for Problematic Gaming Among Adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Use. ISSN 2997-3368. doi: 10.1080/29973368.2026.2621770. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin; Mitchell, Andersson,; Emma, Claesdotter-Knutsson,; Sevtap, Gurdal, & Sabina, Kapetanovic, (2026). Parental Influence on Adolescent Gambling: the Role of Communication, Rules, and Social Support | Journal of Gambling Studies | Springer Nature Link. Journal of Gambling Studies. ISSN 1050-5350. doi: 10.1007/s10899-025-10471-2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Adolescent gambling has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, warranting research attention due to its links with other risk behaviors and mental health issues. This study focuses on the risk and protective factors in parent-adolescent relationships affecting gambling behaviors in Swedish adolescents. We investigated the role of parenting practices, parental gambling issues, and parental attitudes toward gambling. Participants included 553 upper secondary school students who completed an online survey about gambling, parental behaviors and attitudes, and parent–child communication. The analytical sample consisted of 57.8% boys with a mean age of 16.8 years (SD = 0.9). Logistic regression models assessed the relationship between these variables, problem gambling, and gambling initiation. Despite legal restrictions against gambling under 18 in Sweden, 49% of adolescents in our sample reported gambling at some point, 25% reported gambling in the past month, and 10% endorsed problem gambling behavior. Our results indicate that parental acceptance and their own gambling behavior are significantly associated with adolescent gambling initiation, suggesting children mimic parental behaviors. Furthermore, parent–child communication and disclosure were associated with both gambling initiation and problems. Enhancing parental awareness is essential to prevent underage gambling initiation and curb future problematic gambling behaviors, given the influential role of parent–child communication, attitudes, and behaviors on adolescents’ gambling habits.

• Svendsen, Tiril Slåen; Boson, Karin & Orm, Stian (2025). The Relationship Between Empathic Disequilibrium and the Big Five Personality Traits. Imagination, Cognition and Personality. ISSN 0276-2366. s. 1–22. doi: 10.1177/02762366251399084. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Research on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and empathy lacks consensus, with no prior studies examining how these traits relate to empathy discrepancies, such as imbalances between cognitive and affective empathy. This study investigated associations between Big Five traits, cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and empathic disequilibrium. A total of 507 participants (mean age 42 years), recruited via social media and public flyers, completed the BFI-44 personality inventory, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Neuroticism was associated with greater affective than cognitive empathy, Openness with greater cognitive than affective empathy, and Agreeableness with equilibrium, high cognitive and affective empathy. Results were mixed for Extraversion and Conscientiousness. Findings suggest that individuals high in Neuroticism may struggle with cognitive empathy, potentially due to difficulties in emotion recognition and perspective-taking, exacerbating their social worries and self- consciousness. Meanwhile, individuals high in Openness may prioritize understanding others’ emotions through perspective-taking, with relatively less emotional involvement. These results highlight nuanced links between personality and empathy.

• Kapetanovic, Sabina; Vlasman, Sabina; Boson, Karin; Wennberg, Peter; Anderberg, Mats & Dahlberg, Mikael (2025). Qualifications and Competency Needs among Professionals in Outpatient Care for Young People with Co-occurring Problems. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (NAD). ISSN 1455-0725. doi: 10.1177/14550725251384006. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The study explores the qualifications and competency needs of professionals working at Swedish Maria clinics, specialized in treating youth with co-occurring substance use and mental health problems. A web-based survey was conducted among 87 professionals working at the clinics to assess their qualifications, competence in managing co-occurring problems and perceived needs for further training. Most professionals had high educational qualifications, with backgrounds in social work, nursing and psychology. Although health care and social services professionals had generally similar competencies, there were some notable differences in their professionalism and competency needs. Healthcare professionals were more likely to report competence in managing severe psychiatric conditions. In contrast, social services professionals more often reported using a broader range of treatment methods. Both groups identified a need for further education in managing severe psychiatric conditions, such as trauma, psychosis and eating disorders. Social services professionals more frequently emphasized the need for family-oriented approaches, while healthcare professionals more often identified a need for more in-depth knowledge related to substance use. While professionals at the clinics generally possess strong qualifications, there are differences in their confidence and expertise relating to managing complex mental health conditions. Tailored training initiatives that address specific needs based on professionals’ educational backgrounds and organizational affiliations could enhance inter-professional collaboration and improve treatment outcomes for youth with co-occurring substance use and mental health problems.

• Boson, Karin; Vlasman, Sabina & Berglund, Kristina (2024). When a non-drinker continues to be a non-drinker during adolescence. A reply to Raninen et al. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. ISSN 0267-3843. 29(1). doi: 10.1080/02673843.2024.2379688. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The shift from asking ‘why adolescents drink?’ to ‘why do they not drink?’ indicates a broad declining trend in alcohol consumption among adolescents over the last couple of decades. More scientific studies have shown interest in these processes at both the individual and societal levels. This reply highlights the main key points that we find important to clarify and elaborate a bit further: 1) age differences and long-term perspectives, 2) the definition of non-drinking, 3) outcome measures, 4) the nature of the samples, and 5) attrition in longitudinal studies. By employing a stringent definition of non-drinking and focusing on social interactions and psychological health, our research complements existing literature on adolescent alcohol consumption.

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Gurdal, Sevtap; Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma & Kapetanovic, Sabina (2024). Adolescent gaming and parent–child emotional closeness: bivariate relationships in a longitudinal perspective. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. 43. doi: 10.1007/s12144-024-05714-1. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The aim of this study was to add knowledge of the longitudinal associations between gaming and emotional closeness between parents and their children. We hypothesized that parent–child emotional closeness was linked to less gaming activity over time and that more gaming activity was linked to less parent–child emotional closeness over time. We also tested the moderating effect of child gender on these anticipated links. This study involved a sample of Swedish adolescents, spanning the developmental years from age 12.5 to 17, and included data from two time points (T1; year 2013 and T2; years 2017/2018) with N = 782 participants (T1 Mage = 12.10, SD = 0.40; 49.6% girls). Utilizing a series of Cross-Lagged Panel Models, we found that emotional closeness to both mother and father predicted less time spent on gaming over time. More time spent on gaming predicted less emotional closeness to mother over time. Additionally, gaming activity among girls was specifically related to less emotional closeness to their father over time. Strengthening parent–child relationships and emotional bonds may be crucial in safeguarding adolescents from developing habits of excessive gaming that could potentially pose problems for their psychosocial development.

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Vlasman, Sabina & Berglund, Kristina (2024). Characteristics of non-drinking adolescents: a longitudinal Swedish study. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. ISSN 0267-3843. 29(1). doi: 10.1080/02673843.2024.2312861. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  This study investigated whether non-drinking adolescents (n = 195), with no previous experience with alcohol, differed over time from drinking adolescents (n = 406). Potential differences in psychological health (mental well-being, psychosomatic symptoms, conduct problems), social interaction frequencies (new friends, time spent with friends and social interaction through a screen device), psychoactive substance use, and positive attitudes towards alcohol was investigated. Additionally, the study examined whether these attributes in 9th grade could predict total abstinence two years later. Non-drinkers were consistently characterized by fewer social interactions, less positive attitudes towards alcohol, a lower probability of using other drugs, and fewer conduct problems from 14 to 17 years, which may imply a more introverted personality function. This study contributes insights into predicting factors linked to alcohol abstinence in adolescence, particularly the characteristics of non-drinking adolescents in a society where a declining trend of alcohol consumption is emerging.

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Anderberg, Mats; Wennberg, Peter; Vlasman, Sabina; Kapetanovic, Sabina & Dahlberg, Mikael (2024). Long-Term Outcomes of Adolescent Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Problems: Exploring the Co-occurrence of Mental Health and Substance Use Problems. Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology. doi: 10.2478/sjcapp-2024-0013. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Adolescents with substance use problems (SUP) constitute a group expected to face increased mental health problems (MHP). SUP can exacerbate mental health issues while also serving as a coping mechanism. Understanding the interplay between psychological, substance-related, and social factors is crucial for shaping effective interventions for this demographic. This article presents a three-year follow-up study with adolescents who had outpatient treatment for SUP, focusing on MHP and psychiatric conditions. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of ongoing SUP and MHP in adolescents who received outpatient treatment at a specialized substance use clinic three years post-treatment initiation. Additionally, it seeks to explore psychosocial risk factors distinguishing adolescents with solely MHP from those with both MHP and persistent SUP (cooccurring problems) three years post-treatment initiation. Method: The study utilizes a longitudinal design, combining structured interview data at intervention onset with national register data at one- and three-years post-treatment initiation. A total of 451 adolescents participated, with 29% females and a median age of 17 years. Descriptive statistics and gender distribution of outcome groups are presented, alongside logistic regressions to assess the predictive value of risk factors for psychiatric conditions, substance use, and co-occurring conditions. Results: Nearly three-quarters of enrolled youth show no ongoing SUP, and one-third exhibit indications of MHP three years after treatment initiation. Risk factors diverge when distinguishing adolescents with MHP from those with co-occurring problems at the three-year mark post-treatment. School problems, depression, female gender, and low primary drug use increase the likelihood of solely exhibiting MHP. Conclusions: Integrated outpatient clinics like Maria clinics could play a crucial role in early detection and management of both SUP and MHP. The findings offer hope, suggesting positive outcomes regarding substance use even for individuals with heavy risk loads or severe SUP.

• Gurdal, Sevtap; Kapetanovic, Sabina; Einarsson, Isak; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg & Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma (2023). Adolescents’ Perceptions of a Relapse Prevention Treatment for Problematic Gaming—A Qualitative Study. Healthcare. 11(17). doi: 10.3390/healthcare11172366. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Given the increasing prevalence of problematic gaming, in 2013, the diagnosis “Internet gaming disorder (IGD)” was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) as a potential diagnosis. With a new diagnosis, it is important to determine treatment options. The importance of the parent–child relationship has been emphasized in problematic gaming and its treatment. This study aims to provide more knowledge about adolescents’ perceptions of a treatment for problematic gaming and understand whether such treatment may have a bearing on the parent–child relationship. We conducted individual interviews with nine adolescents who completed a treatment for problematic gaming. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed three themes. Theme 1: adolescents’ experiences of the new treatment; Theme 2: adolescents’ perceptions of the effect of the treatment on their gaming behaviour; and Theme 3: adolescents’ perceptions of changes in their parent–child relationships. The adolescents viewed the treatment as a way of gaining control of their gaming, a process in which a therapist played an integral part. For the majority of the adolescents in our study, the main effects of treatment were gaining insight into how their gaming and gaming-related behaviours affected other parts of their lives. The participants felt that the treatment improved their relationship with their parents through reducing everyday conflicts. This new knowledge can be used for the development of future interventions involving children and adolescents.

• Dahlberg, Mikael; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Anderberg, Mats & Wennberg, Peter (2022). Long-Term Outcomes for Young People With Substance Use Problems in Outpatient Treatment: Gender-Specific Patterns. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.888197. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  This study presents the results of a longitudinal research project focusing on long-term outcomes among young people after initiation of outpatient treatment for substance use problems (SUP) in Sweden. Young people are defined with the age group 13–25 years. A clinical sample of 451 young people (29% girls, median age 17 years) completed a structured interview at baseline and was followed using official records one, two, and 3 years after initiation of treatment. Gender-specific patterns at intake were described and bivariate associations and logistic regressions were calculated to analyse the links between risk factors at treatment start and indications of substance use problems 3 years later. Significantly more boys than girls displayed indications of continued SUP at 3-year follow-up. More specifically, 49% of the boys vs. 35% of the girls were identified through records as still having problems with substance use. Predictive risk factors also displayed gender-specific patterns. Primary drug use frequency and age at intake predicted indications of SUP among boys but not among girls. Placement in foster care/residential homes, depression, and early drug debut had significant predictive value regarding indications of SUP among females but not among males. Girls also displayed a greater psychosocial burden at treatment start, but a more favourable treatment outcome at follow-up. Youths with a heavy risk load at treatment start (i.e., over six risk factors) did not display a greater risk of SUP at 3-year follow-up, although our results suggest that this subgroup has indications of continued problems with mental health. Consequently, future studies should further explore gender-specific treatment pathways for young people with substance use problems. Since women and girls seem to have different risk factors, co-occurring psychiatric problems and more experiences of trauma compared to men, they might need multidimensional and more comprehensive treatment interventions that run over a longer period.

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Anderberg, Mats; Hagborg, Johan Melander; Wennberg, Peter & Dahlberg, Mikael (2022). Adolescents with substance use problems in outpatient treatment: a one-year prospective follow-up study focusing on mental health and gender differences. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy. 17(1). doi: 10.1186/s13011-022-00482-2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Although several studies have found a high incidence of coexisting mental health problems among adolescents with substance use problems, follow-up studies addressing how these conditions change over time are rare. The study will describe and analyze indications of mental health problems and how various risk factors predict outcomes 1 year after initial treatment contact. In addition, gender-specific risk factors are explored.

• Berglund, Kristina J.; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Wennberg, Peter & Gerdner, Arne (2022). Impacts of alcohol consumption by mothers and fathers, parental monitoring, adolescent disclosure and novelty-seeking behaviour on the likelihood of alcohol use and inebriation among adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. ISSN 0267-3843. 27(1), s. 582–596. doi: 10.1080/02673843.2022.2156298. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine how alcohol consumption by mothers and fathers, parental monitoring (knowledge, control, and solicitation), adolescent disclosure and novelty seeking were associated with the likelihood of alcohol use and inebriation among adolescents in three different age groups (13–14 years, 14–15 years, and 17 years). The results showed that alcohol consumption by parents is of significance for adolescent alcohol consumption (odds ratio mothers: 1.47 [1.17–1.84], odds ratio fathers 1.33 [1.08–1.65]) and inebriation, especially in the 17-year-old age group. The results showed that novelty seeking was a strong risk factor in all three age groups, while parental control and knowledge had no impact. This study shows that parental solicitation increased the odds at age 17 for alcohol consumption (2.64 [1.02–6.83]) and inebriation, while adolescent disclosure decreased the odds (0.18 [0.05–0.68]). In summary, the study shows that parents should be particularly attentive to adolescents with high novelty-seeking behaviour and that parental alcohol consumption influences adolescent alcohol habits.

• Kapitanovic, Sabina & Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2020). Discrepancies in parents' and adolescents' reports on parent-adolescent communication and associations to adolescents' psychological health. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. doi: 10.1007/s12144-020-00911-0. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Parental knowledge of adolescents’ whereabouts is central for healthy adolescent development. However, parents and their adolescent children often perceive parenting practices differently. Using data from matching parent and adolescent dyads (n = 477) from the longitudinal research program LoRDIA, we investigated in what way disagreement between parents’ and adolescents’ reports on parental knowledge, solicitation and behavioural control and adolescent disclosure, is longitudinally related to girls’ and boys’ psychological problems (internalizing and externalizing) and well-being. The adolescents’ mean age was 13.0 years (SD = .56) at T1 and 14.30 years (SD = .61) at T2, evenly distributed between boys (52.6%) and (47.4%) girls at baseline. The discrepancy scores were calculated by subtracting the adolescent’s scores from the parent’s scores. Parent adolescent discrepancies had somewhat different patterns of associations with boys’ and girls’ psychological problems and well-being. Parental knowledge discrepancy was related to higher levels of girls’ externalizing problems while parental solicitation discrepancy was related to higher levels of boys’ externalizing problems and lower levels of girls’ wellbeing. Adolescent disclosure discrepancy was related to higher levels of girls’ internalizing problems and lower levels of well-being. Negative concurrent associations were shown between parental control discrepancy and adolescents’ internalizing problems. Parents’ overestimating the level of parent-adolescent communication, including adolescent disclosure, and parental solicitation in particular, is disadvantageous for adolescent psychological health.

• Anderberg, Mats; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Dahlberg, Mikael; Fahlke, Claudia & Hagborg, Johan Melander (2019). Mer än varannan ungdom med alkohol- och narkotikaproblem i öppenvården har erfarenhet av utsatthet i barndomen. Socialmedicinsk Tidskrift (SMT). ISSN 0037-833X. 96(6), s. 786–799. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  https://socialmedicinsktidskrift.se/index.php/smt/article/view/2013/2005

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Wennberg, Peter; Fahlke, Claudia & Berglund, Kristina (2019). Personality traits as predictors of early alcohol inebriation among young adolescents: Mediating effects by mental health and gender-specific patterns. Addictive Behaviours. ISSN 0306-4603. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.03.011. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Brändström, Sven & Sigvardsson, Sören (2018). The Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI): Psychometric Properties of Multi-Informant Ratings. Psychological Assessment. ISSN 1040-3590. doi: 10.1037/pas0000513. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Berglund, Kristina; Wennberg, Peter & Fahlke, Claudia (2016). Well-being, mental health problems, and alcohol experiences among young Swedish adolescents: A general population study. Journal for Person-Oriented Research (JPOR). ISSN 2002-0244. 2(3), s. 123–134. doi: 10.17505/jpor.2016.12. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

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• Alborn, Sven-Eric; Berglund, Kristina; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg & Gerdner, Arne (2023). Välja väg: Utredning, stöd och behandling vid alkohol- och narkotikaproblem. Studentlitteratur AB. ISBN 9789144136332. 452 s. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Alkohol- och narkotikaproblem är vanligt förekommande i vårt samhälle. Både de personer som har ett beroende och deras anhöriga drabbas, vilket är viktigt att beakta när samhället erbjuder vård, stöd och behandling. Välja väg är en kliniskt orienterad bok med omfattande forskningsbas som beskriver ett bra utredningsförfarande och grunderna för en kvalitativt god behandling och relevanta stödinsatser, oavsett metod och verksamhetsform. I fördjupande kapitel tar författarna upp bland annat motivation, psykiatrisk samsjuklighet, ungdomar, vård utan samtycke och individanpassning. Boken vänder sig till personal inom verksamheter som arbetar med personer som har alkohol- och narkotikaproblem och med samsjuklighet, samt till studenter som utbildar sig till exempelvis socionomer, psykologer, sjuksköterskor och beteendevetare.

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• Boson, Karin (2024). Adolescent Gaming and Parent-Child Emotional Closeness: Bivariate Relationships in a Longitudinal Perspective. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin (2024). Characteristics of nondrinking adolescents: A longitudinal Swedish study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin (2024). Understanding Adolescent Gaming: Bridging General and Clinical Perspectives on Relationships and Interventions. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2022). Teens, alcohol, and breaking norms – when should we worry? Longitudinal research on adolescents’ and parents’ alcohol consumption, attitudes, and parenting. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Although risk behavior sometimes can be regarded as normative, it can also pose a threat to adolescent growth. This symposium presents research that advances the understanding of adolescent risk behavior development as connected to adolescent growth in several important ways. Theoretically, the symposium is built on the idea of development as heterogeneous and dynamic process in context. Empirically, the symposium is based on data from the ongoing Swedish research program LoRDIA (Longitudinal Research on Development In Adolescence) and the further extension of the program into LoRDYA (Longitudinal Research on Development to Young Adults). In sum, LoRDIA and LoRDYA study individuals from two age cohorts in four municipalities (n=1884) over the course of early- and mid- adolescence into their emerging adulthood. The research is multidisciplinary in which health, school functioning, social networks and substance use are studied prospectively using multiple informants. Thus, the same adolescents partake in the three submitted studies, but from multiple perspectives on risk development and using different methodological approaches. The first study examines how three common ‘risk behaviors’ – alcohol use, drug use, and criminal behavior – differentially develop during adolescence. Latent class and transition analysis was used to investigate how these behaviors cluster and change over time. Multinomial regressions are applied to investigate the relations between class membership and micro-level factors, such as personality, peer behaviors, and family situation. In the second study, the influence of parent’s alcohol drinking behaviors and parenting practices on adolescents’ own alcohol consumption are studied. More specifically, the alcohol consumption by mothers and fathers, parental monitoring (knowledge, control, and solicitation), adolescent disclosure and temperament, i.e., novelty seeking, are analyzed and associated with the likelihood of alcohol use and inebriation among adolescents from age 14 to 17. The third study explore who experience severe exposure to child maltreatment and/or behavioral problems also have been referred to the child welfare services and if the service then decide to investigate these referrals further. The role of behavioral problems, such as substance abuse and criminal behavior, and gender are analyzed by bivariate and multivariate approaches and latent-class analysis. An expert on the role of parenting and adolescent mental health and risk behavior development will discuss the three presentations and draw attention to the overarching themes.

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Dahlberg, Mikael; Anderberg, Mats & Wennberg, Peter (2022). Adolescents with substance abuse problems in outpatient treatment: A one-year prospective follow-up study focusing on mental health problems. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Although several studies have found a high incidence of coexisting mental health problems among adolescents with substance abuse problems, follow-up studies addressing how these conditions change over time are rare. The study will describe and analyze indications of mental health problems and how various risk factors predict outcomes one year after initial treatment contact. In addition, gender-specific risk factors are explored. Methods: A clinical sample of 455 adolescents (29% girls, median age 17 years) answered a structural interview at baseline and followed-up using official records one year after initiated treatment. Bivariate associations and logistic regressions were conducted to analyse the links between risk factors at the individual, social, and structural levels as well as links between various mental illness symptoms at treatment start and indications of mental health problems one year later were analysed. Results: The results show that mental health problems among adolescents largely persisted one year after start of outpatient care for substance abuse problems. Forty-two per cent of the sample displayed indications of mental health problems at one-year follow-up, and registrations for both outpatient treatment and psychiatric medication were more common among the girls. Girls also reported more mental illness symptoms at treatment start than boys did. Placement in foster care/residential home, depression and suicidal thoughts had significant predictive values regarding indications of mental health problems and cumulative effects were found for 6–10 co-occurring risk factors. Conclusions: Adolescents with experiences of placement in foster care/residential home, depression and suicidal thoughts at treatment start should yield attention among clinicians as these general risk factors could predict indication of mental health problems at one year follow-up effectively. Also, patients with more than six co-occurring risk factors were more vulnerable for continued mental health problems. Generally, girls displayed a greater mental health and psychosocial burden at treatment initiation and were more likely to show indication of mental health problems at follow-up. These results suggests that girls are more likely to get psychiatric out-treatment parallel to, or after, substance abuse treatment. We recommend further investigation of gender differences and gender-specific needs in substance use treatment.

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2022). Når vi er redde, har vi større behov for at noen tar kontakt og viser omsorg. Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  https://www.gd.no/nar-vi-er-redde-har-vi-storre-behov-for-at-noen-tar-kontakt-og-viser-omsorg/o/5-18-1512295 Russland har invadert Ukraina og det er krig i Europa. Vi går nå inn i en tid med økt uro og usikkerhet og uskyldige mennesker vil bli lidende. Hvordan kan vi håndtere både vår egen og våre barns uro omkring dette? Når slike dramatiske hendelser skjer, er det normalt å være redd og bekymret. Hele grunnmuren av sikkerhet som vi tar for gitt er rystet. Vi ser dette i alle slags dramatiske hendelser. Mange kan være redde for hvordan dette vil påvirke oss her hjemme og hvordan fremtiden vil utfolde seg når ting oppfattes som så uforutsigbare og utenfor vår kontroll. Folk vil naturligvis håndtere dette individuelt, men en fellesnevner er ofte at vi ønsker å handle og prøver å skape så mye kontroll som vi kan basert på forutsetningene vi har. Det kan for eksempel handle om at vi søker etter informasjon om hva som skjer, at vi prøver å forutsi hvordan ting vil bli i fremtiden, at vi gir støtte til humanitære organisasjoner og ikke minst at vi snakker om vår frykt med andre. Noen vil kanskje tenke over hva de ville gjort hvis Norge hadde blitt invadert? Men hva skal foreldre si til barn som er redde? Først av alt vil jeg si at det hovedsakelig er de enkle, ikke store intervensjonene som gjelder. Et barn som er redd trenger ikke eksperter, men støtte fra sitt sosiale nettverk. Foreldre kjenner sine barn best og det finnes ingen fasit eller manus på hva vi skal si. En god start kan likevel være å sjekke inn hos barnet og spørre om det er noe de tenker på? Når vi er redde, har vi større behov for at noen utenfra tar kontakt og aktivt viser omsorg. Dette gjelder både oss voksne og barn. Men vi voksne har et spesielt ansvar for å trygge barna og hjelpe dem med å uttrykke og regulere sine følelser hvis de er redde. En konkret måte å regulere følelser på er å prøve å sette dem i ord. Som voksen kan du vise at du er åpen for å lytte og anerkjenne barnets frykt og bekymringer. «Det er ok å være redd, vi er trygge her og vi passer på deg» Barn reagerer ulikt avhengig av hvem de er som person og hvordan deres tidligere erfaringer og nåværende situasjon ser ut. Enhver reaksjon på dramatiske hendelser er normal. Ha respekt for de som ikke vil snakke om det som skjer nå, det er greit. Signaliser at du er der hvis de vil snakke om det på et senere tidspunkt. Livet for barna her hjemme i Norge stopper ikke opp. Hold fast på rutiner som allerede eksisterer; sosiale samlinger og aktiviteter. Det bidrar til stabiliteten. Å la barn ha positive følelser midt i en så dramatisk ting, er viktig. For det er viktig for barn å hvile fra stress; å leke og ha det gøy i barneverden. Det trenger vi voksne også. Det er derfor viktig at foreldre og voksne tar hand om seg selv, gjør ting vi setter pris på og har mulighet til å samtale med andre voksne i egne sammenheng. Jeg snakket med en i 8. klasse og hun sa noe som jeg synes er viktig å markere. Hun ville at de voksne skulle spørre om noen ville snakke om det, og om de var redde, men samtidig var det viktig at barn ikke trengte å vite alle detaljene i hendelsene. Mitt råd er derfor: hold det enkelt, tydelig og med få detaljer. Hold deg til fakta, men tilpass ordbruken basert på barnets modenhetsnivå. Ungdommer kan ofte vurderes som modne, men det er viktig å ikke overvurdere deres kapasitet til å takle en slik situasjon. Tenk også på at unge voksne kan ha et økt behov for kontakt med sine foreldre ved uro og redsel, selv om det har flyttet hjemmefra og har et eget sosialt nettverk rundt seg. Kanskje enda viktigere å ta en telefon til utflyttede barn som kanskje jobber eller studerer langt hjemmefra og som har vært mye alene i pandemien. Karin Boson, samfunn- og allmennpsykolog, førsteamanuensis ved psykologisk institutt, Høgskolen Innlandet, Lillehammer

• Berglund, Kristina; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Wennberg, Peter & Gerdner, Arne (2022). Impacts of alcohol consumption by mothers and fathers, parental monitoring, adolescent disclosure and novelty-seeking behavior on the likelihood of alcohol use and inebriation among adolescents. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Parents influence children and adolescents in many ways, including through their own drinking behaviors and parenting practices. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to examine how alcohol consumption by mothers and fathers, parental monitoring (knowledge, control, and solicitation), adolescent disclosure and temperament (i.e., novelty seeking) are associated with the likelihood of alcohol use and inebriation among adolescents from age 14 to 17. This study is part of the Longitudinal Research on Development In Adolescence (LoRDIA) program, which examines risks and protective factors among adolescents, over time, within the general population. Mother-adolescent dyads (n = 280-404) and father-adolescent dyads (n = 220-307) from three longitudinal data collections were analyzed through bivariate associations and logistic regressions. The results show that alcohol consumption by parents (both mothers and fathers) is of significance for adolescent alcohol consumption and inebriation, especially when they are 17-year-old. The results also indicate that novelty seeking is a strong risk factor regarding norm breaking behavior such as alcohol consumption in all ages during adolescence, while parental control and knowledge have no impact. This study also shows that parental solicitation increases the odds at age 17 for alcohol consumption and inebriation, while adolescent disclosure decreases the odds. In summary, the study suggests that parents should be particularly attentive to adolescents with high novelty-seeking behavior and that parental alcohol consumption influences adolescent alcohol habits, especially in their late teens.

• Schinstad, Ingunn Aagedal & Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2022). Ensomhet har negativ virkning på helsen. [Journal]. Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Lien, Silje Josten & Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2018). Alt av reaksjoner på ekstreme hendelser er normalt. [Journal]. Dølen. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  https://www.dolen.no/nyheter/i/k3RpO6/alt-av-reaksjoner-pa-ekstreme-hendelser-er-normalt

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2018). Alle blir dypt preget. Det gjør så vont. [Journal]. Oppland arbeiderblad. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  https://www.oa.no/vinstra/drap/politi/alle-blir-dypt-preget-det-gjor-sa-vondt/s/5-35-742152

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg & Hagman, Karin (2018). Stå på dig – du måste inte ta det där glaset. Aftonbladet. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  https://www.aftonbladet.se/debatt/a/wE2Q5o/sta-pa-dig--du-maste-inte-ta-det-dar-glaset

• Fahlke, Claudia; Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Karlén, Malin Hildebrand & Stålheim, Jonas (2017). Är svensk beroendepsykologi fortfarande på frammarsch? Psykologtidningen. ISSN 0280-9702. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2016). The Swedish Version of Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI): Psychometric Properties of Children’s Self-Report and Caregivers’ Rating. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2016). The Swedish Version of Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI): Psychometric Properties of Children’s Self-Report and Caregivers’ Rating. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2016). Well-being, mental health problems, and alcohol experiences among young swedish adolescents: a general population study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2016). Well-being, mental health problems, and alcohol experiences among young swedish adolescents: a general population study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Malešević, Andrea; Gušić, Sabina & Wahlberg, Anders (2015). Psykologer: Regeringen kränker barns rättigheter. Svenska dagbladet. ISSN 1101-2412. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  http://www.svd.se/psykologer-regeringen-kranker-barns-rattigheter

• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg (2015). Well-being, mental health problems, and alcohol experiences among young swedish adolescents: a general population study. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Boson, Karin Margareta Mellberg; Fahlke, Claudia & Berglund, Kristina (2016). How do the “tweenies” do? Mental health, alcohol experiences and personality among young adolescents. Göteborgs universitet. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

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