About the project
A relative small segment of the population accounts for a large share of adult social ills and lifetime problems. Adults in this segment typically show problems not just in one specific domain, but in multiple arenas. However, the standard approach is to focus on one social problems at a time, while complex pathways to marginalization in multiple arenas are largely unexplored. The project addresses this issue by providing novel knowledge about pathways into social problems in multiple domains, such as education and work; family, fertility, and social networks; and well-being and mental health.
Objectives
The project will examine (a) how complex marginalization processes in several domains unfold over a formative period in life, from adolescence into middle adulthood; (b) how such processes explain reproduction of marginalization from one generation to the next; and (c) how marginalization in multiple domains influence socio-political attitudes and values.
Outcomes
The project utilizes data from a large-scale longitudinal study, spanning from adolescence over 28 years and which combines survey, register, and molecular genetic data (N=2600). We use newly developed causal modeling techniques, combining approaches from psychometrics, econometrics, and genetics to examine complex dynamic mechanisms through which risk factors are influencing social problems and marginalization. By using a unique combination of different high quality data sources, this project will provide novel knowledge about people who are disadvantaged in not just one, but several arenas in life. We will as such provide important knowledge about people who are at greatest need for support.
Cooperation
The project will be based at the newly established Research Center PROMENTA at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. National and international researchers in the fields of psychology, sociology, demography, econometrics, and genetics are involved in the project. A user perspective is established by collaborating with the Norwegian part of the WHO Healthy Cities Network and a reference group.
Financing
The project is financed by the Research Council of Norway (VAM Researcher Project), 2020 - 2025.