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Aurora Oftedal

Postdoctoral Fellow - PROMENTA

Email aurora.oftedal@psykologi.uio.no

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Visiting address Forskningsveien 3A Harald Schjelderups hus 0373 Oslo

Postal address Postboks 1094 Blindern 0317 Oslo

Other affiliations LINK-Centre for Learning and Education (Student)

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Academic interests

I am interested in the development of children’s and adolescents’ mental health, particularly in the various risk and protective factors related to the family and the parent–child relationship. I use a range of methodological approaches, including longitudinal analyses, sibling designs, genetic and epigenetic analyses, as well as qualitative research involving children and young people. My current research primarily focuses on how different support systems, such as friendships, sibling relationships, and the school environment, can promote positive development (resilience) among young people at high familial risk of depression. In a parallel line of research I examine perinatal maternal mental health and the relationship between stress in pregnancy and child mental health.

Previously, I have researched how various socioeconomic challenges relate to family dynamics, family conflict, and children’s adjustment. In my doctoral work, I examined biological and psychological stress mechanisms during pregnancy, as well as expectant parents’ responses to the detection of fetal anomalies. Previously I researched stress and coping among astronauts through several NASA-funded projects, as well as mechanisms related to the development and treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress at the UCLA Anxiety and Depression Research Center.

Courses taught

PSYC2502 - – Profesjonsforberedende 4 / Innføring i helsefremmende og forebyggende arbeid (1)

Background

Postdoctoral fellow Norwegian Institute of Public Health
PhD in Health Sciences from OsloMet
MA in Health Psychology from University of St. Andrews School of Medicine.
BA in Psychology from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

Tags: PROMENTA

Svendsrud, Hedvig; Fredriksen, Eivor; Lund, Olaf; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Helmikstøl, Beate [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Fathers’ prenatal risk and infant mental health: The role of caregiving warmth. Developmental Psychology. ISSN 0012-1649. 62(11), p. 2322–2334. doi: 10.1037/dev0002191. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Fathers can influence their children's behavioral and emotional development positively or negatively. Limited research has explored the impact of fathers' prenatal risk factors and paternal postnatal warmth on infant socioemotional development. This novel study, characterized by its use of two warmth measures, a large Nordic cohort of fathers and a longitudinal prenatal-to-postnatal design, investigates (a) the longitudinal direct effects of prenatal paternal cumulative risk on infant externalizing and internalizing behaviors at 18 months and (b) whether paternal caregiving warmth at 12 months, assessed by paternal self-reports as well as observed by dyadic interactions, moderates these associations. Data were drawn from the Little in Norway study, a large cohort of fathers (N = 864, 97.6% cohabiting, Mage = 32.18 years, 67.2% reported >3 years higher education, 4.7% belonged to an ethnic minority group) and their infants. Path analyses showed that higher paternal prenatal cumulative risk predicted increased infant externalizing (β = 0.14, p = .002) and internalizing (β = 0.09, p = .039) symptoms. Paternal self-reported warmth predicted lower externalizing symptoms, but no association was found for internalizing symptoms. Neither self-reported nor observed paternal warmth was found to moderate the relation between paternal prenatal risk and infant externalizing or internalizing symptoms, suggesting that paternal warmth may not serve as a single protective factor in buffering the potential detrimental effects of paternal cumulative risk on infant mental health outcomes. Findings underscore the importance of including fathers in developmental research, early interventions, and social policies, beginning in the prenatal period. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Braithwaite, Elizabeth C.; Haftorn, Kristine Løkås; Oftedal, Aurora; Ayorech, Ziada; Kaasen, Anne & Murgatroyd, Christopher [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). Associations between lifetime history of depression, prenatal OXTR DNA methylation and breastfeeding outcomes. Clinical Epigenetics. 18(1), p. 1–12. doi: 10.1186/s13148-025-02030-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Abstract Background Women with depression are less likely to breastfeed and experience more breastfeeding challenges. Potential biological mechanisms that link maternal depression with poor breastfeeding outcomes have not been investigated. This study examined associations between lifetime history of depression (LHD), prenatal oxytocin receptor gene ( OXTR ) DNA methylation, and breastfeeding outcomes. Results Longitudinal observational data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) were analysed (N = 3607). LHD was self-reported during pregnancy (week 15). Blood samples were collected at 16–18 weeks of pregnancy, and DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip 850 K array. This array includes 22 CpG sites on the OXTR gene, which were used in analyses. Mothers self-reported breastfeeding initiation (breastmilk given to child in first month), breastfeeding maintenance (breastmilk given to child for 6 months or more) and breastfeeding problems. Maternal LHD was not associated with OXTR DNA methylation. There was some evidence that prenatal OXTR DNA methylation was associated with breastfeeding outcomes. There was an association between CpG cg26455676 and breastfeeding maintenance to 6 months (odds ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence intervals = 1.11–2.27, raw p = 0.01, adjusted p = 0.04). Higher levels of DNA methylation at CpG cg26455676 was associated with a greater likelihood of maintaining breastfeeding to 6 months. Conclusions This highly novel study highlights the intriguing possibility that maternal prenatal DNA methylation at genes important for breastfeeding may be associated with breastfeeding experiences. Further understanding of vastly differing breastfeeding experiences would assist with the targeting efforts to support breastfeeding women, particularly those who are vulnerable, such as mothers who have depression.
Tamnes, Christian K.; Bekkhus, Mona; Eilertsen, Maja; Nes, Ragnhild Bang; Prydz, Monica Beer & Ystrom, Eivind [Show all 63 contributors for this article] (2025). The nature of the relation between mental well-being and ill-being. Nature Human Behaviour. 9(12), p. 2431–2440. doi: 10.1038/s41562-025-02319-x. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Kaasen, Anne; Karlsen, Taran; Haugen, Guttorm Nils & Bekkhus, Mona (2025). Maternal Distress in Pregnancies After Previous Fetal Anomaly: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. ISSN 1470-0328. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.18343. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective To assess mental health throughout pregnancy among women with a history of diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Tertiary referral centre for fetal medicine. Population Pregnant women with a history of fetal anomaly (study group; n = 75) and women without such a history (comparison group; n = 111). A subgroup of women in the study group ( n = 28) participated in two different pregnancies, where the first had a diagnosis of fetal anomaly and the second did not. Methods Women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Impact of Events Scale (IES) at four timepoints between gestational age 18 weeks and 36 weeks. Main Outcomes Trajectories of EPDS and IES across time in the study group and comparison group, as well as differences in EPDS and IES in the healthy pregnancy and the pregnancy with a diagnosis of fetal anomaly in the subgroup. Results Having a history of previous diagnosis of fetal anomaly was associated with elevated levels of depression and traumatic stress throughout pregnancy, even in healthy pregnancies (e.g., EPDS mean difference = 2.65, 95% CI [1.91, 3.21]). The difference between groups was largest early in pregnancy and decreased with increasing gestational age. Furthermore, women in the subgroup experienced much higher levels of distress in the pregnancy with a diagnosis of fetal anomaly than in their healthy pregnancy (e.g., EPDS mean difference = 8.7, 95% CI [6.40, 11.15]). Conclusion The results highlight the importance of considering women's history of fetal anomaly and prenatal loss even in healthy pregnancies.
Oftedal, Aurora; Larsen, Linda & Helland, Maren Sand (2025). Economic Hardship During the Covid-19 Pandemic and Trajectories of Parent–Child Relationships: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Among Norwegian Families. Family Process. ISSN 0014-7370. 64(2). doi: 10.1111/famp.70031. Full text in Research Archive
Bekkhus, Mona; Oftedal, Aurora; Haugen, Guttorm Nils; Mortensen, Berit & Kaasen, Anne (2024). Acute symptoms of depression and traumatic stress in men and women who terminate pregnancy after detection of fetal anomaly: A prospective observational study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. ISSN 1470-0328. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17884. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective: To assess acute and long-term stress in men and women after the detection of fetal anomalies leading to pregnancy termination. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Tertiary referral centre for fetal medicine. Population: From the initial sample of 180 pregnant women with a fetal anomaly detected by ultrasound examination, a total of 87 women terminated their pregnancy, with 72 partners included in the sample. At the time of detection, the group of women (n = 93) and their partners (n = 81) who did not terminate the pregnancy following a diagnosis were included as a comparison group. Methods: These women and their partners were asked to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES) questionnaires, both at the time of initial detection and at 6 weeks after the termination of the pregnancy. Main outcome measures: Responses to the EPDS and the IES at the time of initial detection and at 6 weeks after pregnancy termination. Results: Women who underwent pregnancy termination reported higher symptom levels of depression, but not traumatic stress, prior to the termination than women who chose not to terminate their pregnancy. Among men, there was a difference across depression and all subscales of traumatic stress (e.g. IES intrusion: mean difference 5.31; 95% CI 2.32–8.31). Women experienced more depressive symptoms over time than men (β = 4.33, P < 0.001) and higher symptom levels on all subscales of traumatic stress (e.g. IES intrusion: β = 5.27; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Overall, our study underscores the heightened levels of depression and traumatic stress experienced by prospective parents, particularly prior to the decision to terminate a pregnancy following the detection of a fetal anomaly. Although women generally report more pronounced symptoms, it is noteworthy that men also experience considerable traumatic stress during this challenging time.
Braithwaite, Elizabeth C.; Oftedal, Aurora; Kaasen, Anne; Ayorech, Ziada & Bekkhus, Mona (2024). A history of depression and prenatal depression are associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation and maintenance, and more breastfeeding problems. Archives of Women's Mental Health. ISSN 1434-1816. 28, p. 139–146. doi: 10.1007/s00737-024-01479-5. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Purpose This study tests the hypotheses that lifetime history of depression, and prenatal depression, are associated with a reduced likelihood of breastfeeding initiation (giving the baby any breastmilk during the first week of life) and breastfeeding maintenance (giving the baby breastmilk for at least 6 months), and a greater likelihood of reporting breastfeeding problems. Methods We analyzed data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child cohort study (MoBa), N=78,307. Mothers reported a lifetime history of depression during the second trimester of pregnancy, and current symptoms of depression during the third trimester using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist short version (SCL-8). At six months postpartum, mothers self-reported breastfeeding initiation, maintenance, and difficulties. Results Using binary logistic regression analyses, we report that a lifetime history of depression is associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation (OR=0.751, 95%CI=0.650–0.938), breastfeeding maintenance (OR=0.712, 95%CI=0.669–0.785), and a greater likelihood of breastfeeding difficulties (OR=1.86, 95%CI=1.72–2.06). Similarly, prenatal depression was associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation (OR=0.904, 95%CI=0.878–0.929), breastfeeding maintenance (OR=0.929, 95%CI=0.920–0.938), and a greater likelihood of breastfeeding difficulties (OR=1.10, 95%CI=1.09–1.12). Results remained largely unchanged when covaried for several confounding variables, including medication use. Conclusion We provide novel evidence that pre-conception and prenatal symptoms of depression are associated with breast-feeding outcomes. This information could be used to identify women very early in pregnancy who may need additional support with breastfeeding. There is also a need to fully understand the biopsychosocial mechanisms that mediate the relationship between depression prior to birth and breastfeeding outcomes.
Oftedal, Aurora; Tsotsi, Stella; Kaasen, Anne; Mayerhofer, Lilian Juliane Kozlowski; Røysamb, Espen & Smajlagic, Dinka [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Anxiety and depression in expectant parents: ART versus spontaneous conception. Human Reproduction. ISSN 0268-1161. 38(9), p. 1755–1760. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dead133. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
STUDY QUESTION: Do expectant parents experience increased anxiety and depression during pregnancies conceived through ART compared to spontaneous conception? SUMMARY ANSWER: Among all expectant parents in the sample, those who conceived through ART reported overall lower levels of anxiety and depression in pregnancy compared to expectant parents who conceived spontaneously, while in the subsample of parents who conceived both through ART and spontaneous conception, expectant mothers experienced increased anxiety and de- pression in early pregnancy following ART compared to spontaneous conception. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Previous research on expectant parents’ psychosocial adjustment in response to ART has found mixed results, with some studies suggesting ART is associated with increased anxiety and depression, and other studies suggesting im- proved mental health or no relationship. Mixed findings may relate to the use of cross-sectional designs that do not account for con- founding differences between groups, or variability in the timing of assessment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This prospective cohort study used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), which includes 2960 pregnant women who underwent ART and 108 183 women who conceived spontaneously. Of these, a subsample of expectant parents had two consecutive pregnancies with one pregnancy resulting from ART and one conceived spontaneously (n 1⁄4 286 women, n 1⁄4 211 partners). Women self-reported their composite symptoms of anxiety and depression at two timepoints during each pregnancy (gestational weeks 17 and 30). Their partners self-reported composite symptoms of anxiety and depression at 17 weeks gestation during each pregnancy. Couples reported their relationship satisfaction at 17 weeks gestation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANGE: Using a conventional full-cohort analysis we found that ART was associated with less total anxiety and depression and greater relationship satisfaction, compared to spontaneous conception among both women and men. However, in the subsample of parents who experienced both ART and spontaneous pregnancies, ART was associated with in- creased levels of maternal anxiety and depression at gestational age 17weeks (M1⁄41.19), compared to spontaneous pregnancies (M 1⁄4 1.15), 95% CI of the mean difference 0.006, 0.074. At 30 weeks gestation, anxiety and depression were similar across both types of pregnancies. Expectant fathers reported similar levels of anxiety and depression at 17weeks gestation during both pregnancies. Among women relationship satisfaction was higher following ART conception than spontaneous conception. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: There is potential for selection effects in the sample, as women who have conceived through both ART and spontaneous conception in their first two pregnancies are rare. In addition, several factors that may be important predic- tors of mental health in this context, such as previous miscarriages and long-term infertility, were not assessed in the current study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our findings indicate that previous discrepancies in the literature may be related to in- herent differences between the groups of parents receiving reproductive treatment and those who do not. This study addresses that limitation by prospectively comparing different types of pregnancies within the same expectant parents. Earlier inconsistencies may also relate to variations in gestational age when anxiety and depression were assessed. By examining symptoms at two timepoints in each pregnancy, we were able to examine the relation between gestational age and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils; Czajkowski, Nikolai Olavi & Kaasen, Anne (2022). The impact of diagnosed fetal anomaly, diagnostic severity and prognostic ambiguity on parental depression and traumatic stress: a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. ISSN 0001-6349. 101(11), p. 1291–1299. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14453. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Introduction - The detection of a fetal anomaly during routine obstetric ultrasound is a potentially traumatic experience. The aim of this study is to examine longitudinally the impact of diagnosis of fetal anomaly on symptoms of depression and traumatic stress among mothers and fathers, and to examine how variations in psychological adjustment relate to diagnostic severity and prognostic ambiguity. Material and methods - In this prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary perinatal referral center, 81 mothers and 69 fathers with ultrasound findings of fetal anomaly completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Impact of Events Scale (IES) at four time points in pregnancy (T1–T4) and 6 weeks after birth (T5). We compared this with depression and traumatic stress in a sample of non-affected parents (n = 110 mothers, 98 fathers). Results - Linear mixed effects models indicated that parents who received a diagnosis of fetal anomaly experienced higher levels of depression and traumatic stress over time, compared with non-affected parents. Depression: mean difference mothers = 4.46 ± 0.47, fathers = 2.80 ± 0.42. Traumatic stress: mean difference mothers = 20.04 ± 2.13, fathers = 12.66 ± 1.74. Parents with a more severe diagnosis experienced elevated symptoms compared with parents with a less severe diagnosis. Among mothers, prognostic ambiguity and changes in the anticipated diagnosis after birth were also associated with increased distress, regardless of whether the change was for the better or worse. Conclusions - Diagnosis of fetal anomaly increases risk of depression and traumatic stress in expectant mothers and fathers, both acutely and over time.
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils; Hjemdal, Odin; Czajkowski, Nikolai Olavi & Kaasen, Anne (2022). Long-Term Impact of Diagnosed Fetal Anomaly on Parental Traumatic Stress, Resilience, and Relationship Satisfaction. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. ISSN 0146-8693. 48(2), p. 181–192. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsac085. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Knowledge regarding the long-term psychological adjustment of parents to children with prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformation is scarce. The aim of this study is to examine traumatic stress trajectories, resilience, and relationship satisfaction among parents to children with prenatal diagnosis of a congenital malformation, and to compare this to a sample of non-affected parents. Methods A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted at a tertiary perinatal referral center. Ninety-three mothers and 80 fathers who received a diagnosis of fetal anomaly during obstetric ultrasound examination (study group), and 110 mothers and 98 fathers with normal ultrasound findings (comparison group), reported their traumatic stress at four timepoints during pregnancy (T1-T4), 6 weeks after birth (T5), and 10-12 years after birth (T6). Resilience and relationship satisfaction was reported at 10-12 years after birth. Results Parents to children with a congenital malformation experienced significantly elevated traumatic stress levels over time, compared with parents of children without congenital malformation. The difference between groups was largest acutely after diagnosis and remained significant 10-12 years after the birth of the child. Resilience and relationship satisfaction levels were similar in both groups. Conclusions Despite experiencing high levels of traumatic stress over time, parents to children with a congenital malformation reported resilience and relationship satisfaction at similar levels to non-affected parents. This suggests that despite ongoing long-term distress, parents are still able to maintain positive psychological coping resources.
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils; Braithwaite, Elizabeth; Bollerslev, Jens & Godang, Kristin [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Changes in maternal cortisol, cortisol binding globulin and cortisone levels following diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Psychoneuroendocrinology. ISSN 0306-4530. 135. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105574. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
The diagnosis of fetal anomaly can be a major stressor to the expectant mother. Current understanding of the relationship between psychological stress and cortisol in pregnancy is limited. This study examined: (1) differences in the ratio of serum cortisol to cortisol binding globulin (SC/CBG) and cortisone levels among women with and without a diagnosis of fetal anomaly, (2) the association between self-reported stress and cortisol from mid to late pregnancy, and (3) the agreement between two different techniques for analyzing cortisol: liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Thirty-six pregnant women with a diagnosis of fetal anomaly (study group) and 101 women with healthy pregnancies (comparison group) provided blood samples and completed self-report questionnaires at gestational weeks 18–24 (T1) and 30 (T2). In the comparison group, mean SC/CBG increased from 0.341 nmol/L at T1 to 0.415 at T2 (p < .001), whereas in the study group there was no change (0.342 nmol/L at T1, 0.343 at T2). There was no difference in cortisone levels between the groups at either timepoints. There was a negative association between both depression and traumatic stress at T1, and SC/CBG at T2 (p < .05). There was no association between general distress and SC/CBG. The two methods for analyzing cortisol gave similar results, but with LC-MS/MS showing a lower detection limit than RIA. Increased cortisol with advancing gestational age is expected, thus these findings indicate that under certain conditions of severe stress there may be a suppression of maternal cortisol increase from mid to late gestation. The discrepancy does not seem to be due to differences in the metabolization of cortisol, as indicated by the similar levels of cortisone. Further research is needed in order to understand the potential underlying mechanisms limiting the expression of cortisol in response to certain types of stress in pregnancy.
Bekkhus, Mona; Oftedal, Aurora; Braithwaite, Elizabeth; Haugen, Guttorm & Kaasen, Anne (2020). Paternal psychological stress after detection of fetal anomaly during pregnancy. A prospective longitudinal observational study. Frontiers in Psychology. 11:1848, p. 1–13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01848. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background and Aims: Knowledge of carrying a fetus with a prenatal diagnosed anomaly may cause acute psychological stress to the parents. Most studies focus on maternal stress, yet fathers are often present at the ultrasound examinations and birth, and therefore may be affected, similarly, to the expectant mother. However, to date no existing studies have examined how detection of a fetal anomaly emotionally affects the expectant fathers throughout the pregnancy. Our aim was to longitudinally examine general health perceptions, social dysfunction and psychological distress in a subgroup of men where fetal anomaly was detected during pregnancy. Methods and Results: This study is part of the SOFUS study, a prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Participants were recruited when referred for an ultrasound examination conducted by a specialist in fetal medicine at Oslo University Hospital on suspicion of fetal malformation (study group). We examined differences between the men in the study group (N = 32) and a comparison group (N = 83) on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Impact of Event Scale (IES) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) across four time points in pregnancy. Results from repeated measured ANOVA suggests that depression decreased over time among men in both groups (η2 = 0.15, p < 0.001). This effect was stronger in the study group, and differed from the comparison group (η2 = 0.08, p < 0.001). There was also a main effect of time on IES scores, which decreased over time for both men in the study group and in the comparison group (η2 = 0.32, p < 0.001). That is, men in the study group were higher on IES initially, but this effect decreased more in the study group than in the comparison group. Men in the study group and comparison group did not differ on perceived general health (GHQ: p = 0.864). Conclusion: Results suggests that detection of a fetal anomaly has implications for paternal mental health during pregnancy. Expectant fathers scored higher on EPDS and IES than the comparison group in the acute phase after detection of fetal anomaly, thus there is impetus to provide psychological support for fathers, as well as mothers, at this difﬁcult time.

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Langøien, Lars Jørun; Johansen, Trine Bjerke; Nøkleby, Heid; Holt, Tonje; Bårdstu, Silje Kvam & Morbech, Maria [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Svar til Dahl og Meland. Klassekampen. ISSN 0805-3839. Full text in Research Archive
Haftorn, Kristine Løkås; Braithwaite, Elizabeth C; Page, Christian Magnus; Oftedal, Aurora; Ayorech, Ziada & Kaasen, Anne [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Does DNA methylation at the OXTR gene mediate associations between maternal lifetime history of depression and poor breastfeeding outcomes? Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils & Kaasen, Anne (2022). The development of parental traumatic stress following the detection of fetal anomaly. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Tsotsi, Stella; mayerhofer, lilian; Kaasen, Anne; Smajlagic, Dinka & Bekkhus, Mona (2022). Maternal and paternal anxiety and depression in pregnancies using assisted reproductive technology compared to spontaneous conception. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils & Kaasen, Anne (2022). The impact of diagnosed fetal anomaly, diagnostic severity, and prognostic ambiguity on parental depression and traumatic stress. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils & Kaasen, Anne (2021). The relation of traumatic stress to cortisol following the detection of fetal anomaly. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Bekkhus, Mona; Haugen, Guttorm Nils & Kaasen, Anne (2021). Utvikling av symptomer på depresjon og posttraumatisk stress etter påvist fosteravvik ved ultralyd. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Strand, Martine; Bekkhus, Mona & Kaasen, Anne (2020). Personality as a risk factor for depression following the detection of fetal anomalies. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Zbozinek, Tomislav; Craske, Michelle G. & Rose, Raphael (2016). Baseline predictors of treatment response to self-guided, technology-based stress management and resilience training. Full text in Research Archive
Oftedal, Aurora; Zbozinek, Tomislav; Craske, Michelle G. & Rose, Raphael (2016). Development and evaluation of self-guided, multimedia stress management and resilience training for NASA. Full text in Research Archive
Holt, Tonje; Oftedal, Aurora; Larsen, Linda Paarup Neigaard & Bårdstu, Silje Kvam (2025). Hjemmeforhold og familiekonflikt. Folkehelseinstituttet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Notat skrevet på oppdrag fra Barne-, ungdoms- og familiedirektoratet (Bufdir) som del av prosjektet «Langtidskonsekvenser av koronapandemien for oppvekst og likestilling»
Holt, Tonje; Larsen, Linda; Tveit, Olav Bertin; Helland, Maren Sand; Morbech, Maria & Bårdstu, Silje Kvam [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2024). Foreldre i konflikt og familier i endring: Barns perspektiv på bostedsordninger, deltakelse og foreldrekonflikt, og saker med vold i familievernet. Resultater fra FamilieForSK-studien. Folkehelseinstituttet. ISSN 9788284064710. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Hovedbudskap Familieverntjenestens arbeid med familier som opplever samspillsvansker, konflikter og kriser representerer et unikt lavterskeltilbud, både fordi det er bredt og fordi de ansatte har høy og spesialisert kompetanse. Tjenesten bidrar med å forebygge psykisk uhelse og fremme positiv utvikling hos barn og familier og er en viktig del av folkehelsearbeidet i Norge. Gjennom blant annet obligatorisk mekling for foreldre som går fra hverandre, hjelper tjenesten foreldre til å finne ordninger og løsninger som er til det beste for barn og unge. Denne rapporten er skrevet på oppdrag fra Barne- ungdoms- og familiedirektoratet (Bufdir). Den er basert på data fra studien Familier i Norge: Foreldreskap, Samliv og Konflikt (FamilieForSK) ved Folkehelseinstituttet, en longitudinell studie med formål å undersøke hvordan forhold i og rundt familien henger sammen med barns trivsel og utvikling. Noen av resultatene som presenteres er en oppsummering av funn som allerede er publisert, mens andre blir presentert for første gang i denne rapporten. I rapporten belyser vi flere ulike temaer og resultater som kan være med å styrke kunnskapsgrunnlaget for familieverntjenesten og andre tjenester som arbeider med barn og familier. Vi undersøker blant annet problemstillinger som inkluderer barns perspektiv på foreldrekonflikter, hvordan barna opplever å delta i samtaler i familievernet, men også hva som kjennetegner familier som praktiserer ulike bostedsordninger, og saker med vold i familievernet. Et av de viktigste bidragene fra rapporten er at den løfter barn og unges eget perspektiv. Barn helt ned til syv år deltar som informanter i studien.
Oftedal, Aurora (2023). Parental stress reactions following prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomaly. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet. ISSN 9788283644647. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Receiving a diagnosis of fetal anomaly during pregnancy can be a traumatic experience that causes distress for the expectant parents. The aim of this thesis was to examine parental stress reactions and resilience following ultrasound findings of fetal anomaly, and to compare this to expectant parents without findings of fetal anomaly. Resilience regards the ability to manage stress. Stress can be understood as a biopsychosocial phenomenon, meaning that stress responses are considered an interaction between biological, psychological, and social variables. The participants included 93 pregnant women with detected fetal anomaly and 80 of their partners, as well as 110 pregnant women with normal ultrasound findings and 98 of their partners. Data was collected at four timepoints during pregnancy (T1-T4), six weeks after birth (T5), and ten-to-twelve years after birth (T6). This included self-reported traumatic stress and depression, blood samples for cortisol and other stress hormones (T1 and T3 only), and self-reported resilience and relationship satisfaction (T6 only). It was found that parents who received a diagnosis of fetal anomaly experienced elevated symptoms of depression and traumatic stress, compared to parents without findings of fetal anomaly. All expectant parents reacted to the diagnosis with high levels of acute psychological stress. Across time in pregnancy, women in the study group had lower cortisol levels than women in the comparison group. Lower cortisol was predicted by elevated symptoms of depression and traumatic stress. Six weeks postpartum we observed a divergence in stress trajectories among parents in the study group, such that those with the most severe diagnoses experienced increased stress after birth compared to during pregnancy, and those with a less serious diagnosis experienced a decline. Prognostic ambiguity and changes in the diagnoses were also associated with increased stress among women. At ten-totwelve-year follow-up we found that parents to children with congenital malformations continue to experience elevated levels of traumatic stress, however they reported resilience and relationship satisfaction at comparable levels to non-affected parents. High levels of stress in pregnancy and in the family over time can adversely affect developmental outcomes and family dynamics. Factors influencing parental adjustment to a child’s disability are important to delineate in order to provide optimal care for families. In the thesis we discuss the ways in which biological, psychological and social variables interact over time to shape parental stress responses and resilience, and ways in which interventions can be targeted to improve outcomes for families.

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Published Nov. 6, 2026 12:17 PM - Last modified Nov. 6, 2026 12:38 PM