Helmer Bøving Larsen

Predictors and protective factors for adolescent Internet victimization: results from a 2008 nationwide Danish youth survey

Aim:  To examine the rate of Internet victimization in a nationally representative sample of adolescents aged 14–17 and to analyze predictors and protective factors for victimization.

The prevalence of unwanted and unlawful sexual experiences reported by Danish adolescents: Results from a national youth survey in 2002

Aim: To obtain current data about child sexual abuse in Denmark and to assess abused childrens own perception of early sexual experiences, which are unlawful according to the Danish Penal Code. Methods: Multimedia computer‐based self‐administered questionnaires (CASI) were completed by a national representative sample of 15–16‐y‐olds. Child sexual abuse was defined according to the penal code and measured by questions defining specific sexual activities, the relationship between the older person and the child, and the youths own perception of the incident. Results: Among 5829 respondents, 11% reported unlawful sexual experiences, 7% of boys and 16% of girls. Only 1% of boys and 4% of girls felt that they “definitely” or “maybe” had been sexually abused.

The Danish Youth Survey 2002: asking young people about sensitive issues

Objectives. To explore ethical, legal and practical issues related to conducting a youth survey in Denmark on sexual experiences before the age of 15 and thereby achieve reliable data on child sexual abuse. Study design and methods. The relevant authorities were consulted on possible legal and ethical objections. By a pilot study based on conventional self-administered questionnaires, information was obtained about the reactions of school boards, teachers and 9th grade students. Results. The necessary conditions were present for the implementation of a nationwide anonymous youth survey without obtaining parental consent. The Central Scientific Ethical Committee had no objections. In a number of fields, Danish legislation accords 15-to-18-year-olds the competence to make independent decisions regarding their personal circumstances, and the UN Convention of Children’s Rights states that a child’s viewpoints must be accorded appropriate significance in relation to that child’s age and maturity. In the pilot study, no negative reactions were observed among the students and school authorities. About 25% of the students had difficulties in filling the questionnaire. No student made use of the accompanying offer of counselling. Conclusion. An anonymous youth survey based on computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) would increase the validity of youth surveys on child sexual abuse to which no ethical or legal objections were found.

Violence, a risk factor for poor mental health in adolescence: A Danish nationally representative youth survey

Aims: To analyze mental health associations between youths exposure to physical violence outside the home and at home, including witnessing domestic violence, and to describe gender differences in the associations. Methods: A multimedia computer-based survey among a nationally representative sample of 6,200 9th grade pupils included data on violence victimization, symptoms of anxiety and depression, psychosocial and health behaviour factors. Analyses included gender stratified cross-tabulations and logistic regressions. Results: Direct associations were found for both sexes between anxiety and depression and exposure to mild and severe physical violence both outside the home and at home. Adjusted for possible confounding factors, associations for severe violence exposure both at home and outside the home were found only among girls; odds ratio (OR): 2.4 [1.3–4.7]) and OR: 3.0 [1.1–8.6], respectively. Exposure to severe violence at home remained a strong risk factor for internalizing symptoms for boys, OR: 3.6 [1.4–9.2]. In the adjusted model, a stronger association was found between bad relationships with peers and poor mental health for boys than for girls; OR: 2.0 [1.6–2.3] and OR: 1.4 [1.3–1.6], respectively. For both sexes, witnessing physical violence against mother at home was associated with mental health problems, but did not remain a risk factor when adjusted for confounders. Conclusions: Gender differences exist in harmful mental health associations with regard to exposure to violence. For girls, violence outside the home is a stronger risk factor than violence at home, compared with boys.

Forebyggende psykologisk behandling ved skolestarten

336 seven-year-olds, entering school for the first time, were screened for high risk of psychosocial disturbance with the Rutter Teacher Child Scale plus independent classroom observations by psychologists. 57 high-risk children (16.9%) were identified. These children received behaviour modification for six months in the ordinary classroom setting, primarily consisting of social reinforcement by their teachers. In the second school year, 17 of the high-risk children also received psychodynamic playgroup therapy conducted by psychologists. The 57 high-risk children were reassessed on the same measures four years after the start of treatment. Treatment success was found acceptable when compared against reported spontaneous remission rates.

Psychometric properties of a Danish translation of the Rutter Scale B in a community sample of seven‐year‐old children

The psychometric properties of a Danish translation of the Rutter Scale B for completion by teachers were examined in a nonreferred sample of 686 7-year-old children. The Danish translation of the Rutter scale had a similar factor structure to the original, producing a three-factor structure corresponding to the subscales. The agreement between the questionnaire and direct observations of the children ten months earlier was fair (K=0.42). The findings suggest that the translated scale could serve as a rapid and useful screening instrument in clinical and in research settings.