Vibeke Moe

• Svendsrud, Hedvig; Fredriksen, Eivor; Lund, Olaf; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Helmikstøl, Beate [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2026). Fathers’ prenatal risk and infant mental health: The role of caregiving warmth. Developmental Psychology. ISSN 0012-1649. 62(11), s. 2322–2334. doi: 10.1037/dev0002191. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  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).

• Svendsrud, Hedvig; Bekkhus, Mona; Lund, Olaf; Shai, Dana; Spencer, Rose & Smith, Lars [Vis alle 10 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2026). Does expectant fathers' attachment style or depressive mood relate to their embodied mentalizing capacity of their 12-month-old infant? Acta Psychologica. ISSN 0001-6918. 263, s. 1–12. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106224. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Parental embodied mentalizing is about how parents show with their body that they hold in mind their infants' mind. The main study's aim was to explore what influences fathers' embodied mentalizing. A random sample of 200 fathers and their 12-month-old infants were drawn from a large longitudinal, population-based dataset, the "Little in Norway (LiN)" study. Fathers' partner related attachment style was assessed at enrollment, symptoms of depression were measured four times during pregnancy and at 12 months postpartum, as was also parenting stress. Videotaped father-infant interactions were coded with the Parental Embodied Mentalizing Assessment (PEMA). Results showed that fathers of girls were demonstrating a higher capacity for embodied mentalizing compared to fathers of boys. There were no direct effects of prenatal depressive symptoms or attachment style on fathers embodied mentalizing, suggesting that lower levels of attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms do not necessarily compromise fathers' capacity for embodied mentalizing. However, depressive symptoms during pregnancy increased the likelihood of postpartum depressive symptoms and parenting stress. In combination, these increased risks were related to poorer embodied mentalizing in fathers. This suggests that being depressed both during pregnancy and when the infant is 12 months, as well as experiencing stress in the parenting role, may be risk factors for compromised embodied mentalizing.

• Fjeldheim, Heidi; Moe, Vibeke; Norheim, Helen Mitsuko Suizu; Anke, Teija Maria Saarinen; Aalberg, Marianne & Stänicke, Line Indrevoll (2025). “When You Open the Door to the Past, Anything Can Happen”—A Qualitative Study of Retrieving “Angel Memories” with Pregnant Women Who Have Experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adversity and Resilience Science (ARS). ISSN 2662-2424. 6(4), s. 481–498. doi: 10.1007/s42844-025-00174-3. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Abstract Although the idea of giving attention both to benevolent and adverse childhood experiences during perinatal psychotherapy was launched about 20 years ago, the therapeutic work of integrating good and painful childhood memories remains understudied. This study explored experiences of retrieving “angel memories” through the Angels Interview conducted with 20 pregnant patients with adverse childhood experiences. A qualitative approach was chosen with the Angels Interview during pregnancy and a follow-up qualitative interview, retrospectively addressing the experience 4 months after birth. Data were analyzed using ideal-type analysis. Four ideal types were constructed: “Happy you reminded me of the good things (15%),” “It was a mixed experience, but it was worth it (45%),” “It didn’t add much nor cause stress, but it was interesting” (30%), and “It was meant to be positive, but it wasn’t!” (10%). Our findings indicate that the Angels Interview can be a useful door opener into therapeutic work of integrating good and painful childhood memories during pregnancy. However, there is a need for tailoring the Angels Interview to attend to alliance insecurities, such as trust issues in the therapeutic relationship, address “ghost memories” during and after the interview, carefully handle lack of “angel memories,” and retrieve more complex and mixed emotional memories involving primary caregivers. Tailoring suggestions include introducing the Angels Interview as a potentially mixed experience, interviewing in a step-by-step manner, offering helpful probing and validation, and systematic follow-up of “ghost” and “angel” memories surfacing after the Angels Interview. Clinical trial registration: NCT 04528589.

• Bohne, Agnes; Høifødt, Ragnhild Sørensen; Nordahl, Dag; Moe, Vibeke; Landsem, Inger Pauline & Vannebo, Unni Tranås [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2025). Transaction of parental cognition, stress and depressive symptoms, and infant regulatory challenges. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 46(2), s. 199–214. doi: 10.1002/imhj.22160. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Fredriksen, Eivor; Soest, Tilmann Martin von; Bekkhus, Mona; Svendsrud, Hedvig; Smith, Lars & Siqveland, Torill Kandal Sundet [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2025). Parental Gender and Adult Attachment Style in the Transition to Parenthood: Implications for Parent–Infant Interaction, Parenting Stress, and Parental Leave Practices. Journal of Marriage and Family. ISSN 0022-2445. 88(1), s. 145–159. doi: 10.1111/jomf.70002. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Objective Aiming to broaden our understanding of parental gender differences within the framework of attachment theory, this study explores how parents' prenatal attachment styles relate to parenting stress, parent–infant interaction, and paternity leave, by investigating how attachment styles and gender interact to predict parenting outcomes. Background The attachment system is at the core of parental adjustments during the perinatal period, underscored by the interplay between attachment styles and caregiving behavior. Yet, gender differences in these associations remain poorly understood, despite variations in parenting roles. Methods Families (N = 1036) participating in a prospective community-based study in Norway reported adult attachment orientations during pregnancy. Postnatal data included self-reported parenting stress, observed mother–infant/father–infant interactions, and paternal parental leave uptake. A path analysis was carried out, using multigroup comparisons to investigate parental gender differences. Results Prenatal adult attachment avoidance and anxiety predicted higher parenting stress (range: β = 0.12–0.38), and attachment avoidance predicted higher father–infant interactional difficulties postnatally (β = 0.35). Fathers' attachment insecurities were related to lower uptake of paternity leave through indirect pathways with a small effect size. Associations between attachment avoidance and all parenting outcomes were consistently stronger for fathers than mothers. Conclusion Adult attachment styles among expectant parents are associated with a diverse range of parenting outcomes, with findings revealing gendered patterns in the links between adult attachment and caregiving systems during the perinatal period.

• Helmikstøl, Beate; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Fredriksen, Eivor (2025). Mapping Dysregulation: Prenatal Predictors and Developmental Trajectories of Multiple Regulatory Problems in Early Childhood. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. ISSN 2730-7166. doi: 10.1007/s10802-025-01320-2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Fjeldheim, Heidi; Anke, Teija Maria Saarinen; Norheim, Helen Mitsuko Suizu; Werner, Anne; Aalberg, Marianne & Moe, Vibeke (2024). “As a Grandmother, I Trust Her 100%!” A Qualitative Study of Therapists’ Experiences with Unexpected Changes in the Mother–Grandmother Relationship Among Perinatal Women with Adverse Childhood Experiences. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy (JICAP). ISSN 1528-9168. 23(4), s. 301–319. doi: 10.1080/15289168.2024.2409610. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Fjeldheim, Heidi; Werner, Anne; Anke, Teija Maria Saarinen; Moe, Vibeke; Norheim, Helen Suizu & Aalberg, Marianne (2024). Parenting the parent without losing sight of the child. A qualitative study of therapists` experiences with intergenerational adversities in perinatal psychotherapy. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 45(2), s. 201–216. doi: 10.1002/imhj.22100. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Skjerdingstad, Nora Paulsen; Speyer, Lydia G.; Isvoranu, Adela-Maria; Moe, Vibeke & Fredriksen, Eivor (2024). Dynamics of postnatal depressive symptoms in early parenthood. BMC Psychiatry. 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05934-6. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background New mothers and fathers are at risk of developing postnatal depressive problems. To understand how postnatal depressive symptoms unfold over time, analyses at the within-person level are necessary. Inspecting postnatal depressive problems at the symptom level provides a novel perspective, ultimately offering insight into which symptoms contribute to the elevation of other symptoms over time. Methods Panel graphical vector-autoregression (GVAR) models were applied to analyze the within-person temporal and contemporaneous relations between depressive symptoms across the postnatal period in new mothers and fathers (at T1; Nmothers = 869, Nfathers = 579). Depressive symptoms were assessed at 6-, 12-, and 18-months postpartum, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results The results revealed that for mothers, sadness was a key symptom predicting symptom increases in multiple other depressive symptoms and itself (autoregressive effect) over time. Furthermore, anxiousness and feeling scared predicted each other across the postnatal period in mothers. For fathers, the most central predicting symptom in the overall network of symptoms was being anxious, while self-blame and being overwhelmed had strong self-maintaining roles in the fathers’ symptomatology, indicating that these could be key features in fathers experiencing postnatal depressive problems. The pattern of symptoms that mothers and fathers experienced within the same time window (contemporaneous associations), shared many of the same characteristics compared to the temporal structure. Conclusions This study suggests that across the postnatal period, from 6- to 18-months postpartum, depressive symptoms in mothers and fathers contribute differently to the pattern of depressive problems, highlighting sadness as a key feature in maternal symptomatology and anxiousness components in paternal symptomatology.

• Helmikstøl, Beate; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Fredriksen, Eivor (2023). Multiple Risk in Pregnancy- Prenatal Risk Constellations and Mother-Infant Interactions, Parenting Stress, and Child Externalizing and Internalizing Behaviors: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study from Pregnancy to 18 Months Postpartum. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. ISSN 2730-7166. doi: 10.1007/s10802-023-01145-x. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Svendsrud, Hedvig; Fredriksen, Eivor; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars; Tsotsi, Stella & Ullebø, Anne Karin [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Becoming Dad: Expectant Fathers’ Attachment Style and Prenatal Representations of the Unborn Child. Children. 10(7). doi: 10.3390/children10071187. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  How expectant fathers think and feel about the unborn child (prenatal representations), has shown associations with fathers’ postnatal parenting behaviors, observed father–infant interactional quality and child cognitive development. There is limited knowledge about fathers’ prenatal representations. The present study examined if fathers’ partner-related attachment styles were related to their prenatal representations of the unborn child. In the “Little in Norway Study”, an ongoing prospective, longitudinal population-based study, 396 expectant fathers completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale at enrollment (mean gestational week = 23.76, SD = 4.93), and in gestational weeks 27–35 completed three questions assessing prenatal representations. Correlations of attachment style and prenatal representations were reported using logistic regression analyses. We found that an avoidant attachment style by fathers were predicted to have absent or negative representations on all three items (1) “strongest feeling about the unborn child” (Cl = 1.19–2.73), (2) “thoughts about child personality” (Cl = 1.16–1.87), and (3) “experiences of relationship with the child” (Cl = 1.14–1.75). Father anxious attachment style was not significantly associated with absent or negative prenatal representations. Results suggest that expectant fathers with a partner related avoidant attachment style have an increased risk of having absent or negative prenatal representations of the unborn child.

• Siqveland, Torill Sundet; Fredriksen, Eivor; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2022). Dyadic parent–infant interaction patterns at 12 months: Exploring dyadic parent–infant gender compositions. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 43(3), s. 424–439. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21982. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Bohne, Agnes; Nordahl, Dag; Høifødt, Ragnhild Sørensen; Moe, Vibeke; Landsem, Inger Pauline & Wang, Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Do parental cognitions during pregnancy predict bonding after birth in a low-risk sample? Frontiers in Psychology. 13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986757. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Parental bonding to their infant is important for healthy parent-infant interaction and infant development. Characteristics in the parents affect how they bond to their newborn. Parental cognitions such as repetitive negative thinking, a thinking style associated with mental health issues, and cognitive dispositions, e.g., mood-congruent attentional bias or negative implicit attitudes to infants, might affect bonding. To assess the influence of cognitive factors on bonding, 350 participants (220 pregnant women and their partners) were recruited over two years by midwives at the hospital and in the communal health care services. Participants were followed throughout the pregnancy and until the infant was seven months old as a part of the Northern Babies Longitudinal Study. Both mothers and fathers took part. First, we measured demographics, repetitive negative thinking, attentional bias, and implicit attitudes to infants during pregnancy, as predictors of bonding two months postnatally. Second, we also measured infant regulatory problems, and depressive symptoms at two months postnatally as predictors of parents’ perception of infant temperament at five months. Robust regression analyses were performed to test hypotheses. Results showed that mothers and fathers differed on several variables. Parity was beneficial for bonding in mothers but not for fathers. Higher levels of mothers’ repetitive negative thinking during pregnancy predicted weaker bonding, which was a non-significant trend in fathers. For fathers, higher education predicted weaker bonding, but not for mothers. Mothers’ perception of their infant temperament at five months was significantly affected by bonding at two months, but for fathers, their depressive symptoms were the only significant predictor of perceived infant temperament. In conclusion, for mothers, their relationship with their infant is essential for how they experience their infant, while for fathers their own wellbeing might be the most important factor. Health care providers should screen parents’ thoughts and emotions already during pregnancy to help facilitate optimal bonding.

• Bergsund, Hans Bugge; Kullerud, Tonje; Abbasi, Cathrine Kråkenes; Drozd, Filip; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Transporting attachment and biobehavioral catch-up to Norwegian child welfare services: A feasibility study. International Journal of Social Welfare. ISSN 1369-6866. s. 1–9. doi: 10.1111/ijsw.12556. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Transportation of evidence-based programs (EBPs) to a new cultural setting is often preferred over the comprehensive process of developing a new program. Intervention fidelity has been suggested as a predictor of successful transportation. The present study examined whether fidelity and parent behavior improved when implementing the U.S.-developed Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention in Norwegian child welfare services (CWS). 11 child welfare workers received training and supervision to become ABC parent coaches. Fidelity was assessed through video-recordings of parent coaches' in vivo feedback at each home-visit session. Parent sensitive behavior was assessed using video-recordings of parent–child interactions, recorded before each ABC session. Mixed effects modeling showed that ABC fidelity increased over the course of training and supervision. Furthermore, parent behavior improved over the course of families' exposure to the intervention. These demonstrate that an EBP transported to a novel cultural setting can obtain promising levels of fidelity and intervention outcomes.

• Willis, David W.; Condon, Marie-Celeste; Moe, Vibeke; Munson, Leslie; Smith, Lars & Eddy, J. Mark (2022). The context and development of the early relational health screen. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 43(3), s. 493–506. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21986. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Bohne, Agnes; Høifødt, Ragnhild Sørensen; Nordahl, Dag; Landsem, Inger Pauline; Moe, Vibeke & Wang, Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). The role of early adversity and cognitive vulnerability in postnatal stress and depression. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. doi: 10.1007/s12144-021-02651-1. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The purpose of the present study was to examine vulnerability factors in expecting parents that might lead to mental illness in the perinatal period. Specifcally, we studied how parental early adversity, attentional bias to infant faces, repetitive negative thinking, and demographic factors, were associated with pre- and postnatal depressive symptoms and parenting stress. Participants were expecting parents taking part in the Northern Babies Longitudinal Study, where assessments were made both pre- and postnatally. Assessments included both questionnaires and cognitive tasks. About half of the participants received the Newborn Behavior Observation (NBO)-intervention after birth, between pre- and postnatal assessments. Results show that repetitive negative thinking was a signifcant predictor of both depressive symptoms and parenting stress, while education, social support, and parity came out as protective factors, especially in mothers. Parental early adversity had an indirect efect on postnatal depressive symptoms and parenting stress, mediated by prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms, respectively. The NBO intervention did not afect the results, signifying the importance of early childhood adverse events and negative thinking on parents' postnatal adjustment and mood, even when an intervention is provided. In conclusion, repetitive negative thinking is a signifcant vulnerability factor independent of the presence of depressive symptoms, and health professionals must be aware of parents’ thinking style both during pregnancy and after birth.

• Anke, Teija Maria Saarinen; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke; Brunborg, Cathrine; Siqveland, Torill Sundet & Skjelstad, Dag Vegard (2020). Bipolar offspring and mothers: interactional challenges at infant age 3 and 12 months—a developmental pathway to enhanced risk? International journal of bipolar disorders. 8, s. 1–16. doi: 10.1186/s40345-020-00192-3. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Bipolar offspring are considered a high-risk group for developing mental disorders. Developmental outcomes result from additive and interactive effects of biological vulnerability and environmental influences. Mother–infant interactions represent important early environmental influences that may modify infants’ risk of mental disorders. The aim of the current prospective study was to investigate the patterns and development of mother–infant interactions in the first year of life in dyads in which the mothers have bipolar disorder (BD). Methods: Twenty-six dyads in which the mothers had BD and 28 dyads in which the mothers had no mental disorder were video-taped in a free play interaction. The Parent–Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA) was used to assess the quality of the interactions on three domains (maternal behaviour, infant behaviour and dyadic coordination) at 3 and 12 months of infant age. First, we compared the mother–infant interaction patterns between the two groups at 12 months. Second, we investigated how the patterns developed within and between the groups from infant ages 3 to 12 months. Results: BD dyads demonstrated significantly more challenges in all three interaction domains at infant age 12 months compared to the healthy dyads. This observation was in line with the findings at infant age 3 months. Subdued expression of positive affect and mutual underinvolvement represented core challenges in maternal and infant behaviours in the BD dyads. Continuous difficulties with dyadic coordination and reciprocity were the most concerning interaction behaviours at 3 and 12 months. On the positive side, there was little expression of negative affect or tension in maternal, infant and dyadic behaviour, and some positive changes in infant behaviour from 3 to 12 months. Conclusions: The current results suggest that challenges in mother–infant interaction patterns in the first year of life may enhance the developmental risk for bipolar offspring. Clinical interventions should address both the BD mothers’ needs in relation to postpartum mood deviations and mother–infant interactions. We suggest interaction interventions to promote dyadic coordination and reciprocity, such as helping mothers being more sensitive to their infant’s cues and to provide attuned contingent responses. Keywords: Bipolar disorder, Offspring, Mother–infant interaction, Prospective study, Developmental pathway, Dyadic coordination, At-risk states

• Araujo, Pedro; Kjellevold, Marian; Nerhus, Ive; Dahl, Lisbeth; Aakre, Inger & Moe, Vibeke [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). Fatty acid reference intervals in red blood cells among pregnant women in Norway–Cross sectional data from the ‘Little in Norway’ cohort. Nutrients. 12(10), s. 1–16. doi: 10.3390/nu12102950. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  There is a growing interest in determining fatty acid reference intervals from pregnancy cohort, especially considering the lack of reference values for pregnant women in the literature and the generalized misconception of equating reference intervals for nonpregnant women as equivalent to pregnant women. Seafood and supplements are important dietary sources for the omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω-3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:55ω-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω-3). Sufficient intake of EPA and DHA is vital during pregnancy for the development of the fetus, as well as for maintaining adequate levels for the mother. This study describes the fatty acid status and suggests reference values and cut-offs for fatty acids in red blood cells (RBC) from pregnant women (n = 247). An electronic food frequency questionnaire (e-FFQ) mapped the dietary habits of the participants, and gas chromatography was used to determine the fatty acid levels in RBC. The association between e-FFQ variables and fatty acid concentrations was established using a principal component analysis (PCA). Twenty-nine-point-one percent (29.1%) of the participants reported eating seafood as dinner according to the Norwegian recommendations, and they added in their diet as well a high percentage (76.9%) intake of ω-3 supplements. The concentration levels of fatty acids in RBC were in agreement with those reported in similar populations from different countries. The reference interval 2.5/97.5 percentiles for EPA, DPA, DHA were 0.23/2.12, 0.56/2.80, 3.76/10.12 in relative concentration units (%), and 5.99/51.25, 11.08/61.97, 64.25/218.08 in absolute concentration units (µg/g), respectively. The number of participants and their selection from all over Norway vouch for the representativeness of the study and the validity of the proposed reference values, and therefore, the study may be a useful tool when studying associations between fatty acid status and health outcome in future studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first PCA study reporting a direct association between ω-3 LCPUFA and intake of seafood and ω-3 supplements in a pregnancy cohort.

• Høifødt, Ragnhild Sørensen; Nordahl, Dag; Landsem, Inger Pauline; Csifcsak, Gabor; Bohne, Agnes & Pfuhl, Gerit [Vis alle 12 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). Newborn Behavioral Observation, maternal stress, depressive symptoms and the mother-infant relationship: results from the Northern Babies Longitudinal Study (NorBaby). BMC Psychiatry. 20(300), s. 1–14. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02669-y. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  <i>Background</i> - Families can experience the postpartum period as overwhelming and many report a special need for support. The Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) aims to promote a positive parent-infant relationship by sensitising parents to the infant’s signals. This article evaluates the NBO as a universal preventive intervention within the regular well-baby clinic service on measures of maternal depressive symptoms, parental stress, the mother-infant relationship and satisfaction/benefit of the postpartum follow-up.<p><p> <i>Methods</i> - This investigation is part of a larger longitudinal study comprising 220 women and 130 of their partners recruited between 2015 and 2017. The study had a non-randomised cluster-controlled design with 6 measurement points. This article is based on a sample of 196 women using data from T1 (gestational weeks 13–39), T4 (5–15 weeks postpartum) and T5 (3–9 months postpartum). Participants were allocated to a group receiving the NBO (<i>n</i> = 82) and a care as usual comparison group (<i>n</i> = 114). We measured maternal depressive symptoms and parental stress using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). The mother-infant relationship was assessed with the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ), the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Maternal Confidence Questionnaire (MCQ). Participants also answered questions about satisfaction/benefit of the postpartum follow-up.<p><p> <i>Results</i> - A Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test indicated that participants in the NBO-group learned significantly more than the comparison group from the follow-up about the baby’s signals in relation to sleep/sleep patterns, social interaction and crying/fuzziness. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) and repeated measures ANCOVA found no significant differences between the groups for the mother-infant relationship domain and few differences in depressive symptoms and parental stress. The repeated measures ANCOVA found that participants in the NBO-group scored slightly higher on parental stress, although the difference was small.<p><p> <i>Conclusions</i> - The results indicate that the NBO-group learned more than the comparison group about reading their child’s signals in important everyday situations. However, the benefits of the NBO were limited for depressive symptoms, parental stress and self-reported mother-infant relationship. The study sample was generally well-functioning, and the results indicate that the benefits of the NBO may be limited within a well-functioning sample.

• Nordahl, Dag; Rognmo, Kamilla; Bohne, Agnes; Landsem, Inger Pauline; Moe, Vibeke & Wang, Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). Adult attachment style and maternal-infant bonding: the indirect path of parenting stress. BMC Psychology. 8. doi: 10.1186/s40359-020-00424-2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  <i>Background</i> - The quality of maternal-infant bonding is related to important child outcomes. The literature has assumed that the ability to form relationships is a relatively stable trait, and research studies have suggested that a mother’s attachment style in close adult relationships is related to mother-infant bonding. The transition to parenthood is also often stressful, and the adult attachment style may relate to parenting stress in the first year after birth. Such stress could possibly have a negative relationship with the mother-infant bond. In the present study, we examined the associations between maternal adult attachment styles and the quality of mother-infant bonding and whether this relationship is mediated by parenting stress.<p><p> <i>Methods</i> - The present study sample comprised 168 women (mean age 31.0 years, SD 4.23 years). Between weeks 31 and 41 of gestation, the anxious and avoidant adult attachment dimensions were measured with the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR). Between 5 and 15 weeks after birth mother-infant bonding and parenting stress were measured with the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Parenting Stress Index-Parent Domain (PSI-PD), respectively.<p><p> <i>Results</i> - Both attachment-related avoidance and attachment-related anxiety correlated significantly and negatively with mother-infant bonding. However, a regression analysis showed that only attachment-related avoidance was a significant predictor of mother-infant bonding when controlling for demographic variables and maternal mental health history. The relationship between the adult attachment style and bonding was mediated by parenting stress. Higher scores on attachment avoidance and anxiety were related to increased stress, which was related to decreased quality of bonding. The overall parent domain and the subscale of competence in the parent-related stress dimension mediated between attachment avoidance and bonding, and the overall parent domain and the subscales of competence and role restriction mediated between attachment anxiety and bonding. There was no direct relationship between the adult attachment style and mother-infant bonding when parenting stress was included as a mediator.<p><p> <i>Conclusions</i> - This study illustrates that maternal adult attachment style relates to mother-infant bonding. This relationship was mediated by parenting stress. The results may have implications for the early identification of mothers at risk of having bonding difficulties.

• Aakre, Inger; Morseth, Marianne; Dahl, Lisbeth Jane; Henjum, Sigrun; Kjellevold, Marian & Moe, Vibeke [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2020). Iodine status during pregnancy and at 6 weeks, 6, 12 and 18 months post-partum. Maternal & Child Nutrition. ISSN 1740-8695. s. 1–10. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13050. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and in the post‐partum period may lead to impaired child development. Our aim is to describe iodine status longitudinally in women from pregnancy until 18 months post‐partum. Furthermore, we explore whether iodine status is associated with dietary intake, iodine‐containing supplement use and breastfeeding status from pregnancy until 18 months post‐partum. We also assess the correlation between maternal iodine status 18 months post‐partum and child iodine status at 18 months of age. Iodine status was measured by urinary iodine concentration (UIC) during pregnancy (n = 1,004), 6 weeks post‐partum (n = 915), 6 months post‐partum (n = 849), 12 months post‐partum (n = 733) and 18 months post‐partum (n = 714). The toddlers' UIC was assessed at 18 months of age (n = 416). Demographic variables and dietary data (food frequency questionnaire) were collected during pregnancy, and dietary data and breastfeeding practices were collected at all time points post‐partum. We found that iodine status was insufficient in both pregnant and post‐partum women. The UIC was at its lowermost 6 weeks post‐partum and gradually improved with increasing time post‐partum. Intake of milk and use of iodine‐containing supplements significantly increased the odds of having a UIC above 100 μg/L. Neither the mothers' UIC, vegetarian practice, nor exclusion of milk and dairy products were associated with the toddlers UIC 18 months post‐partum. Women who exclude milk and dairy products from their diets and/or do not use iodine‐containing supplements may be at risk of iodine deficiency. The women possibly also have an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction and for conceiving children with nonoptimal developmental status.

• Skjøthaug, Thomas; Smith, Lars; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Stänicke, Erik & Moe, Vibeke (2020). Antecedents of fathers’ perception of child behavior at child age 12 months. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 41(4), s. 495–516. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21862. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  This study investigates whether fathers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and attachment style reported during pregnancy predict fathers’ perception of child behavior assessed 12 months postpartum, expressed by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Child Domain. Prospective fathers (N = 835) were recruited to “The Little in Norway (LiN) study” (Moe & Smith) at nine well‐baby clinics in Norway, with data collection composed of five time points during pregnancy and two time points postpartum (6 and 12 months). The main analyses included linear regression, path‐analysis modeling, and intraclass correlation based on mixed effects modeling. First, linear regression analyses showed that neither fathers’ ACE nor attachment style significantly predicted perceived child behavior postpartum directly. Furthermore, path analyses showed that ACE and less secure attachment style (especially avoidant attachment) measured early in pregnancy strongly predicted negatively perceived child behavior, mediated by fathers’ mental health symptoms during pregnancy and partner disharmony postpartum. Second, intraclass correlation analyses showed that fathers’ perceived child behavior showed substantial stability between 6 and 12 months postpartum. Family interventions beginning in pregnancy may be most beneficial given that fathers’ early experiences and perceptions of attachment in pregnancy were associated with later partner disharmony and stress.

• Jacobsen, Heidi; Bergsund, Hans Bugge; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2020). Foster children are at risk for developing problems in social-emotional functioning: A follow-up study at 8 years of age. Children and Youth Services Review. ISSN 0190-7409. 108. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104603. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Foster children are at risk for becoming less well-adjusted in their social-emotional functioning due to possible abuse and neglect prior to placement. There is no consistent evidence that foster children’s social-emotional functioning improves in foster care, and externalizing behavior has specifically been linked to placement disruption. Investigations of foster children’s functioning over time and with multiple informants are scarce. Our first aim was to investigate foster children’s social-emotional functioning (externalizing, internalizing and total problem behavior) reported by female and male caregivers, as well as by teachers, at 8 years (T3) of age, as compared with a non-foster group. Our second aim was to investigate the predictive power of internalizing and externalizing behavior from age 2 (T1) and 3 years (T2). Results showed that foster children were reported to show more problem behavior at age 8 years compared to the comparison children, although their scores were within the normal range. Externalizing behavior reported by foster mothers at age 2 and 3 years, and by foster fathers at age 3, strongly predicted externalizing behavior at age 8 years. The results suggest that social-emotional functioning in early childhood predicts externalizing and internalizing behavior in middle childhood. This study highlights the clinical importance of investigating such behavior among young foster children in order to help them move towards a healthy developmental pathway in early school years.

• Wikenius, Ellen; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars; Heiervang, Einar & Berglund, Anders (2019). DNA methylation changes in infants between 6 and 52 weeks. Scientific Reports. 9(1), s. 1–12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54355-z. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Infants undergo extensive developments during their frst year of life. Although the biological mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood, changes in the DNA methylation in mammals are believed to play a key role. This study was designed to investigate changes in infant DNA methylation that occurs between 6 and 52 weeks. A total of 214 infant saliva samples from 6 or 52 weeks were assessed using principal component analyses and t-distributed stochastic neighbor-embedding algorithms. Between the two time points, there were clear diferences in DNA methylation. To further investigate these fndings, paired two-sided student’s t-tests were performed. Diferently methylated regions were defned as at least two consecutive probes that showed signifcant diferences, with a q-value<0.01 and a mean diference>0.2. After correcting for false discovery rates, changes in the DNA methylation levels were found in 42 genes. Of these, 36 genes showed increased and six decreased DNA methylation. The overall DNA methylation changes indicated decreased gene expression. This was surprising because infants undergo such profound developments during their frst year of life. The results were evaluated by taking into consideration the extensive development that occurs during pregnancy. During the frst year of life, infants have an overall three-fold increase in weight, while the fetus develops from a single cell into a viable infant in 9 months, with an 875-million-fold increase in weight. It is possible that the fndings represent a biological slowing mechanism in response to extensive fetal development. In conclusion, our study provides evidence of DNA methylation changes during the frst year of life, representing a possible biological slowing mechanism. We encourage future studies of DNA methylation changes in infants to replicate the fndings by using a repeated measures model and less stringent criteria to see if the same genes can be found, as well as investigating whether other genes are involved in development during this period.

• Wikenius, Ellen; Myhre, Anne Margrethe; Page, Christian Magnus; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Heiervang, Einar [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Prenatal maternal depressive symptoms and infant DNA methylation: a longitudinal epigenome-wide study. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. 73(4-5), s. 257–263. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2019.1613446. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke; Fjell, Anders Martin & Walhovd, Kristine B (2019). Mental health in youth prenatally exposed to opioids and poly-drugs and raised in permanent foster/adoptive homes: A prospective longitudinal study. Early Human Development. ISSN 0378-3782. 140:104910, s. 1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.104910. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Abstract Background Little is known about the mental health of prenatally opioid- and polydrug-exposed youth raised in foster/adoptive families. Aim To compare mental health problems among two groups of youth, one prenatally drug-exposed group with participants who were mainly placed in permanent foster or adoptive homes in early infancy and a group without known prenatal risk factors who were raised by their birth parents. Methods The sample consisted of 45 drug-exposed and 48 nonexposed youth between 17 and 22 years old from an original sample of 136 followed since birth. An extended version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to assess lifetime psychiatric disorder, and participants completed the Achenbach Adult Self-Report form and Cantril's Ladder of Life Satisfaction Scale. Results A higher proportion of the youth in the drug-exposed group had lifetime experiences with major depressive episodes, alcohol abuse and attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder (OR > 3, p ≤ .030). They scored higher on the aggressive behavior scale, had more sexual partners and were younger at their sexual debut (p ≤ .030). There were no group differences in current self-reported satisfaction with life. Conclusion Youth exposed to drugs prenatally continue to represent a risk group despite early placement in permanent foster and adoptive homes. The factors contributing to this elevated risk may be multifaceted and involve adverse prenatal conditions including but not limited to drug exposure, genetics, and postnatal environmental conditions. The results highlight the need for longitudinal follow-up in the transition to adulthood as well as qualified service provision for these youth and their families.

• Anke, Teija Maria Saarinen; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke; Brunborg, Cathrine; Siqveland, Torill Sundet & Skjelstad, Dag Vegard (2019). Mothers with and without bipolar disorder and their infants: Group differences in mother-infant interaction patterns at three months postpartum. BMC Psychiatry. 19:292, s. 1–12. doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2275-4. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background Women with bipolar disorder (BD) have a high risk of illness relapse postpartum. The risk coincides with the period when mother-infant interactions are evolving. We compared mother-infant interactions in dyads where the mothers have BD with dyads where the mothers have no mental disorder. The association between concurrent affective symptoms of BD mothers and interaction quality was investigated. Methods Twenty-six women with BD and 30 comparison women with infants were included. The Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA) was used to assess maternal behaviour, infant behaviour and dyadic coordination in interactions at 3 months postpartum. The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and Young Mania Rating Scale were used to assess affective symptoms of BD mothers at the time of interaction. Results There were significant group differences with medium to large effect sizes (0.73–1.32) on five of six subscales within the three interactional domains. Most interactional concerns were identified in dyadic coordination. No significant associations were found between maternal symptom load and interaction quality within the BD sample. Forty-six percent of the BD mothers experienced a mood episode within 0–3 months postpartum. Conclusions The present study identified challenges for mothers with BD and their infants in “finding” each other in interaction at 3 months postpartum. If sustained, this interaction pattern may have a long-term impact on children’s development. We suggest interventions specifically focusing on sensitising and supporting mothers to read infants’ cues on a micro-level. This may help them to respond contingently and improve dyadic coordination and synchronicity.

• Verpe, Hege; Kjellevold, Marian; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars; Vannebo, Unni Tranaas & Stormark, Kjell Morten [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Early postpartum discharge: maternal depression, breastfeeding habits and different follow-up strategies. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. ISSN 0283-9318. 33(1), s. 85–92. doi: 10.1111/scs.12604. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: In most maternity wards in Norway, early discharge (&lt;48h) is the norm. To monitor newborns&rsquo; and women&rsquo;s health during the first week after delivery, most maternity wards offer early check-ups, were families return to the hospital (standard care). However, a few municipalities offer home-visits by midwives (domiciliary care), to ensure seamless services for the family. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to explore if different follow-up strategies were differently associated with maternal depression and breastfeeding habits, six weeks and six months postpartum. The secondary aim was to investigate if families at risk for postpartum depression were included in the home visiting program in the municipality that offered both follow-up strategies. Method: This study draws on data from the &ldquo;Little in Norway&rdquo; (LIN) study, which followed families from pregnancy until the child was 18 months. The present study used data from two different municipalities, where one offered standard care (n=95) and the other domiciliary (n=64) and standard care (n=17). The Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was used to measure maternal depression. Breastfeeding habits were measured using a self-reported questionnaire. The Life Stress subscale of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) was used to identify women at risk for postpartum depression. Results: There were no differences in maternal depressive symptoms or breastfeeding habits at neither six weeks nor six months postpartum between women that received standard or domiciliary care in the two municipalities. Within the municipality that offered both follow-up strategies a higher number of women scoring high on prenatal Life Stress were included in domiciliary- compared to standard care. Conclusion: Differential follow-up strategies in the first week after birth did not impact on maternal depression or breastfeeding habits. However, domiciliary care seems to be regarded as supportive and non-stigmatizing for women at risk for postpartum depression.

• Moe, Vibeke; Fredriksen, Eivor; Kjellevold, Marian; Dahl, Lisbeth Jane; Wik, Maria & Stormark, Kjell Morten [Vis alle 10 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Little in Norway: a prospective longitudinal community-based cohort from pregnancy to child age 18 months. BMJ Open. 9:e031050(12), s. 1–11. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031050. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The Little in Norway (LiN) project is a cross-disciplinary prospective longitudinal study starting in pregnancy. It was set up to investigate maternal and paternal mental health functioning in the transition to parenthood, detect pathways to healthy and aberrant child development and generate new knowledge about mechanisms underlying differential child mental health susceptibility.

• Fredriksen, Eivor; Soest, Tilmann Von; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2019). Depressive symptom contagion in the transition to parenthood: Interparental processes and the role of partner-related attachment. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. ISSN 0021-843X. 128(5), s. 397–403. doi: 10.1037/abn0000429. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  How depressive symptoms unfold within a couple during the perinatal events of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood is poorly understood. In this prospective study, we aim to investigate the reciprocal relation between maternal and paternal depressive symptomatology, specifically how symptoms in 1 partner relate to subsequent symptom level changes in the other partner throughout the perinatal period. Further, we aim to identify parents who are particularly vulnerable to the development of disruptive processes of negative mood states. Data were collected from 1,036 mothers and 878 fathers participating in the Little in Norway study from midpregnancy until 12 months postpartum. Depressive symptoms were assessed at 7 time points (4 prenatally) in both parents. Partner-related attachment was measured early in pregnancy. By using an autoregressive latent trajectory modeling approach, accounting for time invariant confounding, we found mothers’ depressive symptoms late in pregnancy to predict elevated symptom levels in fathers 6 weeks after birth, with a small effect size. No other time-adjacent effects were observed among partners at other time points or with the opposite directionality. However, moderation analyses revealed that among parents characterized by insecure partner-attachment styles, additional cross-lagged pathways were evident during pregnancy and throughout the first year of parenthood. Clinicians need to be aware of fathers’ vulnerability to symptom development in instances of maternal perinatal depressive states at the time around childbirth, and tailor preventive and treatment efforts to address both parents’ needs. Further, particular attention should be directed to parents with heightened susceptibility to prolonged depression contagion processes.

• Jacobsen, Heidi; Brabrand, Hilde; Liland, Solveig Marit Mortensen; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2018). Foster parents' emotional investment and their young foster children's socio-emotional functioning. Children and Youth Services Review. ISSN 0190-7409. 86, s. 200–208. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.01.020. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Emotional investment may be defined as a willingness to accept and become committed to a child, and being aware of influencing the child's development. Research in this field is limited, and has shown that commitment in particular is associated with foster children's socio-emotional functioning. Our aim was therefore to investigate 60 foster parents' acceptance, commitment and awareness of influence to their early placed foster children at 2 years, as well as to investigate the association between these three concepts and the foster children's social-emotional functioning (externalizing, internalizing, dysregulation and competence) at 2 (T1) and 3 (T2) years of age. The caregivers were interviewed with “This is My Baby”, and completed the questionnaire “Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment”. Results showed that on average the foster parents were rated quite high on emotional investment. Linear regressions, including one predictor and one outcome variable, revealed associations between emotional investment and foster children's socio-emotional functioning. Moreover, in regressions including all three predictors, commitment significantly negatively predicted externalizing behavior in the foster children at T1, while acceptance significantly negatively predicted dysregulation at T2. Lastly, among others for externalizing, the coefficient of commitment was significantly higher at T1 than at T2. Our results indicate a possible short-term influence of commitment on externalizing- and a possible long-term influence of acceptance on dysregulation behavior in foster children. We will therefore highlight the clinical importance of emotional investment in foster care, in order to help the young foster child towards a healthy social-emotional functioning.

• Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne Økern; Siqveland, Torill Sundet; Nygaard, Egil; Bjørnebekk, Astrid; Slinning, Kari & Wentzel-Larsen, Tore [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2018). Cognitive and socioemotional functioning at 4½ years in children born to mothers who have received treatment for substance-abuse problems while pregnant. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 39(5), s. 581–594. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21733. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Cognitive and socioemotional functioning at 4½ years of age were examined in children born to mothers with substance‐abuse problems (n = 22) recruited from residential treatment institutions while pregnant, and then compared to children born to mothers with mental health problems (n = 18) and children from a low‐risk group (n = 26). No significant group differences in cognitive functioning were found, but the children born to mothers with substance‐abuse problems showed more caregiver‐reported socioemotional problems than did the low‐risk children, like the children born to mothers with mental health problems. Birth weight had an effect on internalizing problems at 4½ years and mediated the relation between group and socioemotional problems, although not when controlling for caregiver education, single parenthood, and anxiety and depression. At 4½ years, 7 children born to mothers with substance‐abuse problems were placed in foster care. These children had lower birth weight and higher caregiver‐rated internalizing problems. In addition to emphasizing the importance of the quality of the prenatal environment, this study suggests that families with previous substance abuse are in need of long‐term follow‐up to address socioemotional problems and enhance further positive child cognitive development. The foster‐placed children may be in particular need of long‐term follow‐up.

• Jacobsen, Heidi; Vang, Kristin Alvestad; Lindahl, Karoline Mentzoni; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2018). Quality of social interaction in foster dyads at child age 2 and 3 years. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. ISSN 0009-398X. s. 1–11. doi: 10.1007/s10578-018-0823-7. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The main aim of this study was to investigate the quality of social interaction between 60 foster parents and their foster children compared to a group of 55 non-foster families at 2 (T1) and again at 3 (T2) years of age. Video observations were used to investigate child–parent interaction at both time-points. “This is My Baby” interview was administered to investigate foster parents’ commitment at T1. The main results revealed significant group differences at T1 on all child–parent social interaction measures, although not at T2. Further, a significant group by time interaction was identified for parental sensitivity, revealing a positive development over time in the foster group. Finally, a significant positive relation was found between commitment at T1 and parental sensitivity. The results convey an optimistic view of the possibilities for foster dyads to develop positive patterns of social interaction over time.

• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke; Due-Tønnessen, Paulina; Fjell, Anders Martin & Walhovd, Kristine B (2018). Neuroanatomical characteristics of youths with prenatal opioid and poly-drug exposure. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. ISSN 0892-0362. 68, s. 13–26. doi: 10.1016/j.ntt.2018.04.004. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Neuroanatomical and cognitive differences have been documented during childhood between children with prenatal opioid- and poly-drug exposure and controls in small samples. We investigated whether these differences persisted in larger samples of youth at older ages. Quantitative MRI and cognitive data were compared between 38 youths in the risk group and 44 youths in the non-exposed group (aged 17 to 22 years) who had been followed prospectively since birth. Most drug-exposed youths (84%) moved to permanent foster or adoptive homes before one year of age. The drug-exposed group displayed smaller neuroanatomical volumes (0.70 SD difference in total brain volume, p = 0.001), smaller cortical surface areas and thinner cortices than the comparison group. The birth weight accounted for some of the intergroup differences. Neuroanatomical characteristics partially mediated group differences in cognitive function. The present study cannot differentiate between causal factors but indicates persistent neurocognitive differences associated with prenatal opioid or poly-drug exposure.

• Drugli, May Britt; Solheim, Elisabet; Lydersen, Stian; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne (2018). Elevated cortisol levels in Norwegian toddlers in childcare. Early Child Development and Care. ISSN 0300-4430. 188(12), s. 1682–1693. doi: 10.1080/03004430.2016.1278368. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Meta-analytic evidence suggests that children have higher cortisol levels in childcare than at home. In the present study change of morning to mid-afternoon levels of cortisol was explored at home and in childcare in a Norwegian sample of toddlers. Further, analyses of associations between change of cortisol levels in childcare and child-, family-, and childcare factors were conducted. One hundred and twelve children attending 85 childcare centres were included in the present study. Saliva samples and observations in childcare were conducted 5–6 months after the children entered childcare. Linear mixed-model analyses revealed a statistical significant difference in change of cortisol levels during the day in childcare as compared at home. An increase in cortisol levels during the day was found among Norwegian toddlers in childcare, in particular for children with long hours in childcare, but not at home. Implications for practice are discussed.

• Aakre, Inger; Wik, Maria; Kjellevold, Marian; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Dahl, Lisbeth (2018). Sufficient iodine status among Norwegian toddlers 18 months of age – cross-sectional data from the Little in Norway study. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 62:1443, s. 1–9. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v62.1443. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background: Inadequate iodine intake has been identified in several population groups in the Nordic countries over the past years; however, studies of iodine status in infants and toddlers are scarce. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the iodine status and dietary iodine sources among 18-monthold toddlers from Norway. Methods: Cross-sectional and country representative data from the Little in Norway study were used. All children who had given a spot urine sample at 18 months age were included (n = 416). Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Dietary habits and supplement use were measured by a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Median (25th–75th percentiles [p25–p75]) UIC was 129 (81–190) μg/L while estimated median (p25– p75) habitual iodine intake was 109 (101–117) μg/day. None of the children were below the estimated average requirement (EAR) of 65 μg/day or above the upper intake level of 180 μg/day. There were no differences in either UIC or estimated habitual iodine intake between different geographic areas in Norway. Milk was the most important iodine source, contributing an estimated 70% to the total iodine intake, while other foods rich in iodine such as seafood and enriched baby porridge contributed about 30%. Conclusions: The iodine status among 18-month-old toddlers from different geographic areas in Norway was sufficient, indicated by a median UIC above the WHO cutoff of 100 μg/L. This was further supported by the estimated habitual iodine intake, where none of the participants were below the EAR. Milk was an important iodine source in this age group; thus children with a low intake might be at risk of insufficient iodine intake.

• Wik, Maria; Dahl, Lisbeth; Moe, Vibeke; Abel, Marianne Hope; Brantsæter, Anne Lise & Øyen, Jannike [Vis alle 11 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2018). Maternal iodine status is associated with offspring language skills in infancy and toddlerhood. Nutrients. 10(9). doi: 10.3390/nu10091270. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Inadequate iodine status affects the synthesis of the thyroid hormones and may impair brain development in fetal life. The aim of this study was to explore the association between maternal iodine status in pregnancy measured by urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and child neurodevelopment at age 6, 12 and 18 months in a population-based cohort. In total, 1036 families from nine locations in Norway were enrolled in the little in Norway cohort. The present study includes n = 851 mother-child pairs with singleton pregnancies, no use of thyroid medication in pregnancy, no severe genetic disorder, data on exposure (UIC) in pregnancy and developmental outcomes (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition). Data collection also included general information from questionnaires. We examined associations between UIC (and use of iodine-containing supplements) and repeated measures of developmental outcomes using multivariable mixed models. The median UIC in pregnancy was 78 µg/L (IQR 46–130), classified as insufficient iodine intake according to the WHO. Eighteen percent reported use of iodine-containing multisupplements. A UIC below ~100 was associated with reduced receptive (p = 0.025) and expressive language skills (p = 0.002), but not with reduced cognitive or fine- and gross motor skills. Maternal use of iodine-containing supplements was associated with lower gross motor skills (b = −0.18, 95% CI = −0.33, −0.03, p = 0.02), but not with the other outcome measures. In conclusion, an insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy, reflected in a UIC below ~100 µg/L, was associated with lower infant language skills up to 18 months. The use of iodine-containing supplements was not associated with beneficial effects.

• Moe, Vibeke; Soest, Tilmann von; Fredriksen, Eivor; Olafsen, Kåre Sten & Smith, Lars (2018). The multiple determinants of maternal parenting stress 12 months after birth: The contribution of antenatal attachment style, adverse childhood experiences, and infant temperament. Frontiers in Psychology. 9, s. 1–14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01987. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Parenting stress can influence caregiving behavior negatively, which in turn may harm children’s development. Identifying precursors of parenting stress, preferably beginning during pregnancy and throughout the first year of life, is therefore important. The present study aims to provide novel knowledge on this issue through a detailed examination of the association between maternal attachment style and later parenting stress. Moreover, we examine the role of several additional risk factors, specificially the mothers’ own adverse childhood experiences (ACE), as well as infants’ temperamental characteristics. Data from a community based longitudinal study of 1,036 Norwegian mothers, collected during pregnancy and 12 months after childbirth, were used. Results showed that attachment style in pregnancy predicted parenting stress 1 year after birth. In addition, it was demonstrated that the mothers’ own ACEs predicted postnatal parenting stress, and that attachment style operated as a mediator of this association. A significant association between perceived infant temperament and parenting stress was also found. The study illustrates the importance of understanding the multifactorial antecedents of parenting stress. The results may inform early intervention efforts aimed at supporting mothers and their partners in the potentially difficult transition period around childbirth.

• Dahl, Lisbeth; Wik, Maria; Sanchez, Perla Vanessa Roldan; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Meltzer, Helle Margrete [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2018). Iodine deficiency in a study population of Norwegian pregnant women - results from the Little in Norway study (LiN). Nutrients. 10(4). doi: 10.3390/nu10040513. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Iodine sufficiency is particularly important in pregnancy, where median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in the range of 150–250 µg/L indicates adequate iodine status. The aims of this study were to determine UIC and assess if dietary and maternal characteristics influence the iodine status in pregnant Norwegian women. The study comprises a cross-sectional population-based prospective cohort of pregnant women (Little in Norway (LiN)). Median UIC in 954 urine samples was 85 µg/L and 78.4% of the samples (n = 748) were ≤150 µg/L. 23.2% (n = 221) of the samples were ≤50 µg/L and 5.2% (n = 50) were above the requirements of iodine intake (>250 µg/L). Frequent iodine-supplement users (n = 144) had significantly higher UIC (120 µg/L) than non-frequent users (75 µg/L). Frequent milk and dairy product consumers (4–9 portions/day) had significantly higher UIC (99 µg/L) than women consuming 0–1 portion/day (57 µg/L) or 2–3 portions/day (83 µg/L). Women living in mid-Norway (n = 255) had lowest UIC (72 µg/L). In conclusion, this study shows that the diet of the pregnant women did not necessarily secure a sufficient iodine intake. There is an urgent need for public health strategies to secure adequate iodine nutrition among pregnant women in Norway.

• Olafsen, Kåre Sten; Ulvund, Stein Erik; Torgersen, Anne Mari; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2018). Temperamental adaptability, persistence, and regularity: Parental ratings of Norwegian infants aged 6 to 12 months, with some implications for preventive practice. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 39(2), s. 183–197. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21697. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  There is a need for standardized measures of infant temperament to strengthen current practices in prevention and early intervention. The present study provides Norwegian data on the Cameron‐Rice Infant Temperament Questionnaire (CRITQ; J.R. Cameron & D.C. Rice, 1986a), which comprises 46 items and is used within a U.S. health maintenance organization. The CRITQ was filled out by mothers and fathers at 6 and again at 12 months as part of a longitudinal study of mental health during the first years of life (the “Little in Norway” study, <i>N</i> = 1,041 families enrolled; V. Moe & L. Smith, 2010). Results showed that internal consistencies were comparable with U.S. data. The temperament dimensions of <i>persistence, adaptability</i>, and <i>regularity</i> had acceptable or close‐to‐acceptable reliabilities in the U.S. study as well as in this study, and also were unifactorial in confirmatory factor analysis. These dimensions are the focus in this article. Findings concerning parents’ differential ratings of their infants on the three dimensions are reported, as is the stability of parents’ ratings of temperament from 6 to 12 months. In addition, results on the relation between temperament and parenting stress are presented. The study suggests that temperamental adaptability, persistence, and regularity may be relevant when assessing infant behavior, and may be applied in systematic prevention trials for families with infants. The inclusion of concepts related to individual differences in response tendencies and regulatory efforts may broaden the understanding of parent—infant transactions, and thus enrich prevention and sensitizing interventions with the aim of assisting infants’ development.

• Fredriksen, Eivor; Soest, Tilmann von; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2017). Patterns of pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms: Latent class trajectories and predictors. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. ISSN 0021-843X. 126(2), s. 173–183. doi: 10.1037/abn0000246. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Depressive symptoms among pregnant and postpartum women are common. However, recent studies indicate that depressive symptoms in the perinatal period do not follow a uniform course, and investigations of the heterogeneity of time courses and associated factors are needed. The aim of this study was to explore whether depressive symptoms in the perinatal period could be categorized into several distinct trajectories of symptom development among subgroups of perinatal women, and to identify predictors of these trajectory groups. The study used data from 1,036 Norwegian women participating in a community-based prospective study from midpregnancy until 12-months postpartum. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 7 time points (4 during pregnancy). Partner-related attachment, stress, childhood adversities, pregnancy-related anxiety, previous psychopathology, and socioeconomic conditions were assessed at enrollment. By means of growth mixture modeling based on piecewise growth curves, 4 classes of depressive symptom trajectories were identified, including (a) pregnancy only (4.4%); (b) postpartum only (2.2%); (c) moderate-persistent (10.5%); and (d) minimum symptoms (82.9%) classes. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that membership in the pregnancy only and postpartum only classes primarily was associated with pregnancy-related anxiety and previous psychopathology, respectively, whereas the moderate-persistent class was associated with diverse psychosocial adversity factors. Findings suggest heterogeneity in temporal patterns of elevated depressive mood, relating specific trajectories of time courses with distinct adversity factors. Researchers and clinicians should be aware of possible multiple courses of elevated perinatal depressive mood, and inquire about possible diverse adversity factors, aberrant pathways, and prognoses. © 2017 American Psychological Association. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission.

• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke & Walhovd, Kristine B (2017). Cognitive function of youths born to mothers with opioid and poly-substance abuse problems during pregnancy. Child Neuropsychology: A Journal of Normal and Abnormal Development in Childhood and Adolescence. ISSN 0929-7049. 23(2), s. 159–187. doi: 10.1080/09297049.2015.1092509. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Previous research has provided inconclusive evidence regarding the neuropsychological difficulties of children born to mothers partaking in opioid or poly-drug use during pregnancy. Little is known about how these children fare as they get older. The present longitudinal study includes follow-up data on 45 children born to mothers who used heroin and poly-drugs and a group of 48 children without prenatal drug exposure. Most of the drug-exposed youths were placed in permanent foster or adoptive homes before one year of age. The youths (ages 17 to 21) were administered 10 neuropsychological tests. The drug-exposed youths had cognitive and fine motor functions within the normal range compared to population norms but performed significantly worse than the non-exposed group. There were indications of generally lower cognitive functions rather than specific problems with executive functioning. Lower mean birthweight in the risk group (619 grams mean difference, p < .001) only partially mediated the group differences in cognitive functioning. There was a tendency for youths who had few and early changes in their caregivers or who were born to mothers who had used the least number of different drugs during pregnancy to have the best cognitive scores. The study indicates that youths born to mothers who used multiple drugs during pregnancy are vulnerable relative to their peers within a wide range of cognitive functions. The vulnerability seems to be related not only to the mother’s drug use during pregnancy but also to factors such as birthweight and unstable parental care during infancy.

• Sanner, Nina; Smith, Lars; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2016). Early identification of social-emotional problems: Applicability of the Infant-Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) at its lower age limit. Infant Behavior and Development. ISSN 0163-6383. 42, s. 69–85. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2015.11.001. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke; Braarud, Hanne Cecilie; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Slinning, Kari; Vannebo, Unni Tranaas & Guedeney, Antoine [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2016). Precursors of social emotional functioning among full-term and preterm infants at 12 months: Early infant withdrawal behavior and symptoms of maternal depression. Infant Behavior and Development. ISSN 0163-6383. 44, s. 159–168. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2016.06.012. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Wikenius, Ellen; Moe, Vibeke; Malde, Marian Kjellevold; Smith, Lars; Lyle, Robert & Waagbø, Rune [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2016). The association between hair cortisol and self-reported symptoms of depression in pregnant women. PLOS ONE. 11(9). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161804. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Depression has been linked to an imbalance in cortisol. Until recently, cortisol has been studied by measuring concentrations at single time points in blood or saliva samples. Cortisol concentrations vary with circadian rhythm and experiences, from time point to time point. The measurement of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a new method of accessing mean, long-term cortisol concentrations. Recent studies show positive associations between depression and HCC, and prenatal maternal cortisol is thought to influence the developing fetus. We therefore examined the association between HCC and self-reported symptoms of depression in second trimester pregnant women. Participants were 181 women, recruited between September 2011 and October 2013 to the Little-in-Norway (LiN)-study. These women answered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale (EPDS) on self-reported symptoms of depression, and one cm maternal scalp hair was collected and analyzed for cortisol concentrations. Multiple regression analyses did not show depressive symptoms as a predictor for HCC in our selection of pregnant women, while gestational age was significantly related. In conclusion, our study indicated that symptoms of depression during pregnancy did not predict HCC, but further studies of clinically depressed, pregnant women using gestational age as an adjustment variable are warranted.

• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke & Walhovd, Kristine B (2016). Behavior and attention problems in eight- year-old children with prenatal opiate and poly-substance exposure: A longitudinal study. PLOS ONE. 11(6). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158054. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Multiple studies have found that children born to mothers with opioid or poly-substance use during pregnancy have more behavior and attention problems and lower cognitive functioning than non-exposed children. The present study aimed to investigate whether behavior and attention problems are more prominent than general cognitive deficits in this risk group and whether the problems wane or increase over time. This prospective longitudinal cross-informant study compared 72 children who were prenatally exposed to heroin and multiple drugs with a group of 58 children without known prenatal risk factors. Group differences in caregivers’ and teachers’ reports of the children’s behavior and attention problems based on the Child Behavior Check List and the ADHD Rating Scale were compared based on group differences in general cognitive functioning at 4 ½ and 8 ½ years of age. Both parent and teacher reports suggest that the exposed group has significantly more problems in several behavioral areas than the comparison group, particularly with regard to attention problems. The preschool teachers had already reported these problems when the children were 4 ½ years old, whereas the caregivers reported these problems mainly when the children were 8 ½ years old. The group differences in behavioral and attentional problems were not significantly greater and some were even significantly smaller than the group differences in general cognitive abilities. These findings suggest that children subject to prenatally drug exposure have increasing problems in multiple areas related to behavior from preschool age to 8 ½ years but that these problems do not seem to be specific; i.e., they are not more severe than the problems with general cognitive abilities found for this group.

• Skjøthaug, Thomas; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2015). Prospective Fathers Adverse Childhood Experiences, Pregnancy-related Anxiety and Depression during Pregnancy. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. s. 104–104. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21485. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Skjøthaug, Thomas; Smith, Lars; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2015). Prospective fathers' adverse childhood experiences, pregnancy-related anxiety, and depression during pregnancy. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 36(1), s. 104–113. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21485. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Moe, Vibeke; Slinning, Kari & Walhovd, Kristine B (2015). Longitudinal cognitive development of children born to mothers with opioid and polysubstance use. Pediatric Research. ISSN 0031-3998. 78(3), s. 330–335. doi: 10.1038/pr.2015.95. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Walhovd, Kristine B; Bjørnebekk, Astrid; Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Siqveland, Torill; Slinning, Kari & Nygaard, Egil [Vis alle 10 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2015). Child Neuroanatomical, Neurocognitive, and Visual Acuity Outcomes With Maternal Opioid and Polysubstance Detoxification. Pediatric Neurology. ISSN 0887-8994. 52(3), s. 326–332.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2014.11.008. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Ivarsson, Tord; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Foster parents' state of mind with respect to attachment: Concordance with their foster children's attachment patterns at 2 and 3 years of age. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 35(4), s. 297–308. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21447. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Skjøthaug, Thomas; Smith, Lars; Moe, Vibeke & Larsen, Tore Wentzel (2014). Prospective Fathers’ Adverse Childhood Experiences, Pregnancy-related Anxiety and Depression during Pregnancy. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 36(1). doi: 10.1002/imhj.21485. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Slinning, Kari; Walhovd, Kristine B; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2014). The perinatal outcome of children born to women with substance dependence detoxified in residential treatment during pregnancy. Journal of Addictive Diseases. ISSN 1055-0887. 33(2), s. 114–123. doi: 10.1080/10550887.2014.909698. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Ivarsson, Tord; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Attachment security in young foster children: Continuity from 2 to 3 years of age. Attachment & Human Development. ISSN 1461-6734. 16(1), s. 42–57. doi: 10.1080/14616734.2013.850102. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Siqveland, Torill; Smith, Lars; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Walhovd, Kristine B & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Mother–Child Interaction and Early Language Skills in Children Born to Mothers with Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Problems. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. ISSN 0009-398X. doi: 10.1007/s10578-014-0512-0. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Siqveland, Torill & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Longitudinal Development of Mother-Infant Interaction During the First Year of Life Among Mothers with Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Problems and Their Infants. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. ISSN 0009-398X. 45(4), s. 408–421. doi: 10.1007/s10578-013-0411-9. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Bjørnebekk, Astrid; Siqveland, Torill; Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Moe, Vibeke; Slinning, Kari & Fjell, Anders Martin [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2014). Development of children born to mothers with mental health problems: subcortical volumes and cognitive performance at 4½ years. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 1018-8827. 24(1), s. 115–118. doi: 10.1007/s00787-014-0625-9. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Siqveland, Torill; Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Patterns of mother-infant interaction from 3 to 12 months among dyads with substance abuse and psychiatric problems. Infant Behavior and Development. ISSN 0163-6383. 37(4), s. 772–786. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2014.09.003. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Moe, Vibeke; Ivarsson, Tord; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Smith, Lars (2013). Cognitive development and social-emotional functioning in young foster children: A follow-up study from 2 to 3 years of age. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. ISSN 0009-398X. 44(5), s. 666–677. doi: 10.1007/s10578-013-0360-3. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Foster children (FC) are at risk of delayed development relative to their peers due to early caregiver disruptions and adverse experiences prior to placement. Descriptive analyses and Linear Mixed Effects (LME models) were used to analyse the cognitive development and social emotional functioning of 60 FC and 42 comparison children (CC) at 2 (T1) and 3 years (T2). Changes in group differences between T1 and T2 were examined, and significant group differences occurred on all cognitive scales, with the FC obtaining lower scores than the CC. An analysis of social emotional functioning revealed significantly more externalising, dysregulation behaviour and poorer competencies among the FC, which exhibited significantly better cognitive abilities and competencies at T2 than T1, with the exception of receptive language. The FC did not demonstrate more negative social-emotional behaviour at T2 (apart from more internalisation behaviour), but failed to catch up with the CC. Young foster children need screening and support to improve their developmental potential. Keywords: foster children, cognitive development, social-emotional functioning, toddlers, developmental catch-up

• Braarud, Hanne Cecilie; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars; Vannebo, Unni Tranaas & Guedeney, Antoine [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2013). Relation between social withdrawal symptoms in full-term and premature infants and depressive symptoms in mothers: A longitudinal study. Infant Mental Health Journal. ISSN 0163-9641. 34(6), s. 532–541. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21414. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The objective of this longitudinal study was to investigate the prevalence of infants' social withdrawal and mothers’ depressive symptoms in a cohort of full-term infants and their mothers and in a cohort of moderately premature infants and their mothers at 3, 6, and 9 months’ postpartum. The Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB) was used to assess social withdrawal; the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered to ascertain postpartum depressive symptoms. The results revealed a higher proportion of premature infants with social withdrawal at 6 months’ postpartum and significantly higher ADBB composite scores at 3 and 6 months of age, as compared with the full-term infants. A higher proportion of mothers in the premature cohort had symptoms of postpartum depression at the 3-month assessment, and they reported a significantly higher EPDS composite score at 3 months’ postpartum. There was a significant relation between maternal depressive symptoms at 3 and 6 months and infants’ social withdrawal at 9 months, and a significant concurrent relation between the two variables at 6 and 9 months in the full-term cohort. The findings suggest a need to screen for both infant social withdrawal and maternal depressive symptoms in moderately prematurely born infants and their caregivers.

Se alle arbeider i NVA

• Jacobsen, Heidi; Drozd, Filip; Abbasi, Cathrine Kråkenes; Kullerud, Tonje; Moe, Vibeke & Bergsund, Hans Bugge (2024). Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up Intervention - a pilot study in Norway. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention – a pilot study in Norway1 Background: There is a need for evidence-base programs in Norwegian Child Welfare Services (CWS). Results from different studies of Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) in the U.S. has provided promising results in American CWS for example parental sensitivity for families who receive help from such centers. Therefore, we decided to conduct a pilot-study to investigate the transportation of the ABC-Infant version to Norwegian CWS working with families with young children. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine whether parent coach fidelity to the ABC program and parent behavior improved during the 10 sessions of ABC. Further, to explore participants’ experiences in providing and receiving ABC among parent coaches and families, respectively. Participants: A total of 11 CWS caseworkers (parent coaches) and 27 families participated in the pilot study, of which 11 parent coaches, 10 parents and eight CWS leaders were also interviewed. The CWS caseworkers were trained and certified as ABC parent coaches during 2018 and 2019. Methods: The pilot study used data from the training of the 11 parent coaches. The coaches had been clinically trained and certified during a one-year training period by trainers from the University of Delaware and certified Norwegian coaches in “In the moment” (ITM)-commenting that is part of the ABC intervention. ITM comments means that parent coaches provide mostly positive comments to parents during parent-child interaction, pertaining to following the child’s lead with delight or providing nurturance. The families from the training were included in the pilot study as well. The ABC-Infant program consists of 10 weekly home visits. At the start of each home visit, before guidance in ABC, a 10-minute parent-child interaction sequence was videotaped for observing parent-child interaction. The quantitative study used mixed effects modeling in the analyses. In the qualitative study, semi-structed interviews were conducted with all three groups of participants and analyzed using the framework method. Results: Mixed effects modeling showed that parent coaches’ ITM commenting increased in quality and quantity during the time of training and passed the target of one component per comment and one comment per minute, well within the training period. Further, an estimated increase in parental sensitivity was identified, starting at 3.56 and ending slightly below 4 on the final home visit. The qualitative study showed that both the in-vivo ITM-commenting, and video-feedback was seen as important for achieving change in parental behavior. Some parent coaches described the use of showing clips to the parents as so important that they wished to use it even more, as a contrast to some parents that were more hesitant to using video-clips. The strength-based approach of the intervention was perceived as helping parents accept help from the CWS and developing a positive relationship with the parent coaches. One important finding in the interviews was the need to adapt the intervention to the need of each family. Discussion: Results from both the qualitative and quantitative studies showed that ABC is suitable for a Norwegian context. The ABC coaches were able to reach the certification levels of ITM commenting during the certification period and parental sensitivity increased. However, a wider age range for including children would have made recruitment easier. Interviews and observations suggest that ABC helped parent coaches to provide a well-documented intervention to families and that families could make use of the guidance provided.

• Lenz, Claudia & Moe, Vibeke (2024). Holocaustundervisning i flerkulturelle elevgrupper : erfaringshorisonter som ressurs. I Kalsås, Vidar Fagerheim & Lenz, Claudia (Red.), Å undervise om Holocaust : utfordringer og innganger. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215069173. s. 103–120. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke & Smith, Lars (2022). Det sosiale spedbarnet: Psykisk helse og utvikling i de første leveår. I Lundgren, Charlotte (Red.), Psykisk oppvekst. Barn og unges psykiske helse fra 0-25 år. Rådet for psykisk helse. ISSN 9788291635460. s. 183–191. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nordahl, Dag; Rognmo, Kamilla; Bohne, Agnes; Landsem, Inger Pauline; Moe, Vibeke & Wang, Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Adult attachment styles and maternal-infant bonding: The indirect path of parenting stress. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Barrett, Elisabeth Ovanger; Høifødt, Ragnhild Sørensen; Lorem, Geir F; Moe, Vibeke; Laholt, Hilde & Nordahl, Dag [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Using Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB) in well-baby clinics in Tromsø municipality. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Drugli, May Britt; Solheim, Elisabet; Lydersen, Stian; Moe, Vibeke; Smith, Lars & Berg-Nielsen, Turid Suzanne (2018). Elevated cortisol levels in Norwegian toddlers in childcare. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Olafsen, Kåre Sten; Ulvund, Stein Erik; Torgersen, Anne Mari; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2018). Temperamental adaptability, persistence, and regularity: Parental ratings of Norwegian infants aged 6 to 12 months, with some implications for preventive practice. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Braband, Hilde; Liland, Solveig M. M.; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2017). This is My Baby: Association between commitment in a sample of foster parents and their early placed foster children’s socio-emotional functioning. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke & Walhovd, Kristine B (2017). Neurocognitive differences and mental health after prenatal opiate and polysubstance exposure. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke & Walhovd, Kristine B (2017). Hvordan går det med ungdom som ble født av mødre med blandingsmisbruk under svangerskapet? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke & Walhovd, Kristine B (2017). Hvordan går det med ungdom som ble født av mødre med blandingsmisbruk under svangerskapet? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke; Lindberg, Astri; Moe, Rigmor Grette & Smith, Lars (2016). Tidlig hjelp og utviklingsstøtte til sped- og småbarn. I Haavind, Hanne & Øvreeide, Haldor (Red.), Barn og unge i psykoterapi, bind 1. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205487550. s. 261–298. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Ivarsson, Tord; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2016). Tilknytning hos små fosterbarn: En prospektiv og longitudinell studie. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Ivarsson, Tord; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Moe, Vibeke & Smith, Lars (2016). Attachment and development in foster children: a prospective and longitudinal follow-up at 8 years. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke; Lindberg, Astri; Moe, Rigmor Grette & Smith, Lars (2016). Tidlig hjelp og utviklingsstøtte til sped- og småbarn. I Haavind, Hanne & Øvreeide, Haldor (Red.), Barn og unge i psykoterapi, bind 1. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205487550. s. 261–298. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Vannebo, Unni Tranaas & Moe, Vibeke (2016). Opplæring i ADBB. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Sanner, Nina; Fuhrmark, Catarina; Meier, Meike & Moe, Vibeke (2016). Can Screening Replace In-Depth Assessment? A Pilot Study Comparing Relational Health Screen and Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  In-depth analyses of parent-child interaction can be cumbersome and cost-intensive. Screening instruments are more user-friendly and inexpensive, but may exclude important information or identify too many false screen-positive cases. Relational Health Screen (RHS) is a new screening instrument for assessment of dyadic interaction quality, but there are no studies comparing RHS to other interaction-classification systems. The present study compares RHS to Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment (PCERA) (Clark, 2010), a comprehensive coding system in which variables assessing dyadic quality conceptually similar to RHS are included.

• Nygaard, Egil; Slinning, Kari; Moe, Vibeke & Walhovd, Kristine B (2016). Kognitiv utvikling fra 1 år til ungdomsalder hos personer født av mødre med opiat– eller blandingsmisbruk under svangerskapet. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Verpe, Hege; Skotheim, Siv; Søvik, Margaret Ljosnes; Malde, Marian Kjellevold; Stormark, Kjell Morten & Vannebo, Unni Tranaas [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2016). Early discharge and follow-up strategies after childbirth. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke (2015). Den lille forskeren. [Radio]. P2 NRK Radio Ekko. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Jacobsen, Heidi; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke (2015). Attachment in young foster children at 2 and 3 years of age and the foster parents state of mind. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Walhovd, Kristine B; Slinning, Kari & Moe, Vibeke (2015). Hvordan går det med ungdom som ble utsatt for mødres opioid-og/eller blandingsmisbruk før de ble født? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Braarud, Hanne Cecilie; Sveine, Anne-Brit; Siqveland, Torill & Moe, Vibeke (2015). Social withdrawal among infants born to mothers with substance abuse and with psychiatric problems early in pregnancy. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Nygaard, Egil; Walhovd, Kristine B; Slinning, Kari & Moe, Vibeke (2015). Hvordan går det med ungdom som ble utsatt for mødres opioid-og/eller blandingsmisbruk før de ble født? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke (2015). "Mobilmamma". [Radio]. P2 NRK Radio Ekko. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Det er fristende å ta fram mobilen når du ammer eller triller rundt på babyen. Men hva gjør mobilbruk med vår oppmerksomhet?

• Jacobsen, Heidi; Smith, Lars; Moe, Vibeke; Ivarsson, Tord & Wentzel-Larsen, Tore (2014). Attachment security in young foster children: Continuity from 2 to 3 years of age. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Siqveland, Torill; Smith, Lars; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Walhovd, Kristine B & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Early language skills in children born to mothers with substance abuse and psychiatric problems. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Siqveland, Torill; Haabrekke, Kristin Johanne; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Patterns of mother–infant interaction from 3 to 12 months among dyads with substance abuse and psychiatric problems. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Fredriksen, Eivor; Siqveland, Torill; Willis, David; Condon, Marie-Celeste; Eddy, Mark & Smith, Lars [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2014). The Relational Health Screen: A new screening instrument for assessing dyadic quality in parent-child interactions. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Braarud, Hanne Cecilie & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Evaluering av spedbarnsnettverket. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Sanner, Nina; Brean, Gro Vatne & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Scandinavian perspectives on the DC:0-3R system. Report from the Nordic Affiliation of the Word Association of Infant Mental Health –NFSU pre-congress symposium 12th of March 2014. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Sanner, Nina & Moe, Vibeke (2014). Applicability of the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assesment (ITSEA) for Assesment of 12-Month-Old Children: Some Pros, Some Cons And Some Questions. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Braarud, Hanne Cecilie; Moe, Vibeke & Vannebo, Unni Tranaas (2013). Den norske ADBB studien. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Moe, Vibeke; Døving, Cora Alexa; Lenz, Claudia & Mizrachi, Rachel Resaland (2026). Jødisk liv og antisemittisme i Norge : kunnskapsoversikt, jødiske erfaringer etter 7. oktober 2023 og forskningsbehov. HL-senteret. ISSN 9788292988824. doi: https:/www.hlsenteret.no/om/aktuelt/nyheter/2026/rapport-jodisk-liv-og-antisemittisme.-mai-2026-.pdf. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Rapporten gir en kunnskapsoversikt over sentrale publikasjoner og forskningsfokus i perioden 2015 - 2025, peker på noen kunnskapshull og foreslår noen tematiske prioriteringer for videre forskning på jødisk liv og antisemittisme i Norge. Kapittel 2 inneholder foreløpige resultater fra en intervjustudie blant jøder i Norge. Analysen baserer seg på intervjuer med i underkant av hundre jødiske informanter og beskriver deres erfaringer med å leve i Norge etter 7. oktober 2023,

• Bergsund, Hans Bugge; Jacobsen, Heidi; Drozd, Filip & Moe, Vibeke (2022). Relationship-Based Interventions: Transportation of Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up to Norwegian Child Welfare Services. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  In recent years, there has been an increase in investigations for violence, neglect and abuse in the Norwegian Child Welfare Services (CWS). Infants and young children are at a particular risk of maltreatment and there is an abundance of research showing that adverse experiences like these can have a particularly large impact if they occur during the child’s first years of life. On the other hand, sensitive and nurturing parent behavior can provide the foundation of a secure attachment relationship and even build resilience to counteract the negative consequences associated with early exposure to adverse events. In this regard, interventions that target the parent-child relationship may be promising. One such program is Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), a brief home visiting intervention for families with young children. Findings from several effect studies conducted in the U.S. demonstrate positive, long-term outcomes for children who have received ABC. In Norwegian CWS, these kinds of evidence-based programs (EBPs) are lacking for children under the age of two, and the need for a program like ABC is apparent. However, programs that are developed and tested in one context are not guaranteed to be successfully transported to a different context. A feasibility study would provide information on whether a relationship based program like ABC could be successfully implemented in Norwegian CWS. The aims of the present thesis were to examine the effect of relationship-based interventions for children exposed to maltreatment and to examine whether ABC could work in a Norwegian child welfare setting. In addition, there was an aim to build on this knowledge and consider the possibilities for further adaptation and implementation of ABC in Norway. The first aim was approached using a systematic review and meta-analysis, which focused on the impact of relationship-based interventions on observed measures of the parent-child relationship. The second and third aims were approached through the application of a qualitative interview study and a quantitative, longitudinal observational study. The qualitative study consisted of interviews with individuals who were involved in the implementation of ABC, including parents, CWS workers and leaders. The longitudinal observational study examined the development of practitioner fidelity to ABC and parent behavior over time. Results. The systematic review identified 81 relevant publications, which represented 35 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven quasi- and non-randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis found large improvements in parent interactive behavior (g = 0.888), smaller improvements in child interactive behavior (g = 0.274) and attachment (g = 0.403). There was substantial heterogeneity in the results on parent behavior, whereas the results in child outcomes were quite homogenous. Moderator analyses on parent behavior indicated that dissertation publications and interventions targeting middle childhood were associated with larger effects. Risk of bias assessments indicated that there likely was a presence of bias in some domains, in addition to poor reporting. The qualitative interviews found that parents, CWS workers and leaders considered certain aspects of ABC, such as in vivo commenting and video-feedback, important determinants of behavior change. In addition, the ABC’s strengths-based approach helped build a therapeutic relationship and reduce families’ resistance towards CWS workers. Overall, informants were generally accepting towards the intervention, though some suggested adaptations, including longer duration and a wider age limit in order to recruit more families. Leaders and coaches also emphasized how families in the CWS have complex needs and that most will need additional services. The longitudinal observational study found that ABC parent coaches improved substantially in their fidelity-levels over the course of training and supervision. Similarly, parents who received ABC enhanced their levels of sensitive behavior during the time they received ABC home-visits. These results are similar to other findings on how ongoing consultation may strengthen practitioner fidelity, as well as how parent behavior may change as a result of practitioners’ in vivo commenting skills.

• Naas, Tonje Kullerud; Abbasi, Cathrine Kråkenes; Jacobsen, Heidi & Moe, Vibeke (2021). Utprøving av en ny intervensjon i det norske barnevernet for å øke foreldres sensitive omsorg. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Oppgaven er klausulert til 2024 - derfor legges det ikke inn sammendrag.

• Gudmundsdottir, Asta Hrund; Drozd, Filip & Moe, Vibeke (2019). Hvordan oppleves det for far når partneren har fødselsdepresjon? De største utfordringene og hjelpsomme tiltak. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Bakgrunn: Fødselsdepresjon er en av de vanligste komplikasjonene ved fødsel. Mye av forskningen om fødselsdepresjon handler om de negative påvirkningene depresjonen kan ha på mor og barn. Det foreligger derimot lite kunnskap om hvordan fødselsdepresjon hos mor påvirker far som partner og nærmeste pårørende. Det er viktig med en velfungerende far som kan støtte mor og ta godt vare på spedbarnet i den vanskelige perioden. Det er behov for mer kunnskap om fedrenes situasjon og opplevelser for å forstå hvordan en partner kan bistå best mulig når mor har fødselsdepresjon og hvordan helsesystemer kan tilpasse seg hele familiens behov. Metode: Denne studien har undersøkt hva fedre opplevde som de største utfordringene og hva de opplevde som hjelpsomme tiltak i perioden når mor hadde fødselsdepresjon. Forfatteren utformet og gjennomførte studien i sin helhet. Kvalitativ metode med semistrukturerte intervjuer ble anvendt for å samle inn data. Utvalget ble rekruttert ved hjelp av en psykolog som har jobbet mye med par der mor har hatt fødselsdepresjon, og ved hjelp av Landsforeningen 1001 dager. Utvalget besto av seks menn som alle har opplevd å være partner til en mor som har hatt fødselsdepresjon. Deltakerne bodde forskjellige steder i landet og tilhørte ulike helsestasjoner. Hver deltaker ble intervjuet individuelt om egne opplevelser og erfaringer av å ha en partner med fødselsdepresjon. Intervjuene ble tatt opp på lydbånd og ble transkribert i etterkant. Tematisk analyse ble benyttet for å analysere data. Resultater: Analysen resulterte i tre hovedtemaer: 1: Fars opplevelse av mors fødselsdepresjon, 2: de største utfordringene og 3: hjelpsomme tiltak. Temaet om fars opplevelser ble delt i to undertemaer ut fra hvilke opplevelser som var de mest fremtredende. Det første undertemaet var at barseltiden ble mye vanskeligere enn forventet og det andre at partneren ikke var til å kjenne igjen. De to andre hovedtemaene, de største utfordringene og hjelpsomme tiltak, ble begge delt i seks undertemaer. De største utfordringene fedrene opplevde var at de måtte ta alt ansvaret hjemme, det ble ubalanse i parforholdet og de måtte forholde seg til mye formaliteter knyttet til NAV. De manglet informasjon om fødselsdepresjon, opplevde å bli holdt utenfor i mors behandlingsprosess og noen opplevde lang ventetid for å få profesjonell hjelp for mor. Noe av det fedrene opplevde som mest hjelpsomt var muligheten til å være hjemme for å avlaste mor. Andre hjelpsomme tiltak var familie som kunne stille opp, støttende og forståelsesfullt helsepersonell, åpenhet og samtaletilbud for far. Konklusjon: Hovedfunnene ble diskutert i lys av relevant teori og empiri knyttet til hvordan fødselsdepresjon kan påvirke fedre. Aktuelle implikasjoner for norske helsesystemer og hjelpeapparatet som jobber med familier rammet av fødselsdepresjon har blitt belyst. Det ble for eksempel fremhevet at samtidig som velfungerende og tilstedeværende fedre kan være blant de viktigste og mest hjelpsomme tiltakene i perioden når mor har fødselsdepresjon, opplever fedrene å mangle informasjon og bli holdt utenfor mors behandlingsprosess. Helsevesenet og andre støtteapparat som jobber med forebyggende tiltak og behandling av fødselsdepresjon bør revurdere hvordan fedre håndteres og inkluderes. Det bør sikres at fedrene får tilstrekkelig hjelp, informasjon og støttende tiltak når mor har fødselsdepresjon. I diskusjonsdelen har behovet for videre forskning også blitt fremhevet.

• Fosse, Charlotte Moe; Drozd, Filip & Moe, Vibeke (2018). Sammenhengen mellom foreldres perinatale depresjon og den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos sped- og småbarn - En systematisk litteraturgjennomgang. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Bakgrunn: Depresjon i den perinatale fasen rammer omkring 10-15 % av alle barselkvinner og 10 % av fedre. Psykisk lidelse hos en av eller begge foreldrene i denne perioden, inkludert depresjon, er én av flere kjente risikofaktorer for senere uheldige utfall hos barnet. Velutviklede sosiale og emosjonelle ferdigheter hos små barn er grunnleggende for all videre utvikling, og en skjevutvikling på dette området kan sees allerede i spedbarnsalder uttrykt som tilbaketrekning, uro, engstelse, mistrivsel og utagerende atferd. Ettersom sosio-emosjonell utvikling i de første leveårene først og fremst utfolder seg i konteksten av det nære samspillet med foreldre, har denne litteraturgjennomgangen avgrenset seg til å undersøke sosio-emosjonell fungering målt ved bruk av foreldrerapporterte spørreskjemaer. Det overordnede forskningsspørsmålet som undersøkes i denne studien er hvordan foreldres perinatale depresjon påvirker den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos spedbarn fra null til 12 måneder og deretter hos småbarn fra 13 til 24 måneder. Videre undersøkes hvorvidt mødres og fedres perinatale depresjon påvirker den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos barna ulikt. Metode: Det ble utført et systematisk litteratursøk i søkemotoren OVID PsycINFO og 1280 treff ble gjennomgått. Totalt 15 studier møtte inklusjonskriteriene for søket. Disse har blitt systematisk vurdert og danner grunnlaget for resultatene. Resultater: Fjorten av de 15 studiene som ble identifisert fant en sammenheng mellom mødres perinatale depresjon og den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos sped- og småbarn, både fra fødsel til 12 måneder og fra 13 til 24 måneder. Studiene fant en negativ påvirkning på barnas sosiale og emosjonelle kompetanser blant annet i form av engstelse, aggresjon, reguleringsvansker og utagerende atferd. Andre forhold som lot til å ha betydning for denne sammenhengen var tidspunkt for depresjon og prematuritet. Det ble også observert kjønnsforskjeller mellom barna. Litteratursøket identifiserte ingen studier som har undersøkt sammenhengen mellom fedres perinatale depresjon og den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos barn i alderen null til 24 måneder som møtte inklusjonskriteriene. Konklusjon: Resultatene viser at mødres perinatale depresjon har en negativ effekt på den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos sped- og småbarn de to første leveårene. Det er fortsatt behov for mer omfattende og detaljerte beskrivelser av nøyaktig på hvilken måte barnas sosio-emosjonelle kompetanser påvirkes. Forskningsfeltet er preget av ulik begrepsbruk og operasjonalisering, og videre forskning bør både replisere funnene til de eksisterende studiene, samt undersøke mer spesifikt hvilke sider ved den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen som berøres, og i hvilken grad. Det er også behov for at fremtidig forskning fokuserer på fedres perinatale depresjon knyttet til den sosio-emosjonelle fungeringen hos sped- og småbarn.

• Brean, Gro Vatne; Slinning, Kari; Sanner, Nina; Lindberg, Astri; Melsom, Hilde & Jacobsen, Heidi [Vis alle 13 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2017). Bruk av kartleggingsverktøy og behandlingsmetoder ved foreldre barn sentre i Norge: En anbefaling fra Nasjonalt kompetansenettverk for sped- og småbarns psykiske helse. Nasjonalt kompetansenettverk for sped- og småbarns psykiske helse, Regionsenter for barn og unges psykiske helse (RBUP), Helseregion Øst og Sør. ISSN 9788292510186. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Nasjonalt kompetansenettverk for sped- og småbarns psykiske helse leverer med dette sin anbefaling om utredningsmetoder og behandlingsmetoder ved foreldre-barn sentre, på oppdrag fra Barne-, ungdoms-, og familiedirektoratet. Anbefalingene bygger på innspill fra et samlet fagmiljø, og ved en grundig intern prosess, som er beskrevet nærmere i innledningen. Det er viktig å merke seg at det er særlig tre forhold som avgjør om en metode er god: de psykometriske målegenskapene ved den enkelte metode, nivået på kompetansen og ferdighetene hos den enkelte fagutøver som benytter metoden og at metoden benyttes på målgruppen den er laget for. I dette inngår også en løpende lokal evaluering av arbeidet med å implementere de ulike metoder, slik det er nærmere beskrevet i sluttdelen av anbefalingene. Det er også viktig å bemerke at utviklingen på feltet går raskt, og at anbefalingene derfor bør revideres etter noe tid. Spesielt gjelder dette temaer som i dag er dårlig dekket på grunn av kunnskapsmangel, kanskje spesielt saker knyttet til vold og overgrep. Bemerk også at det foreløpig finnes lite kunnskap om metodenes bruk i saker knyttet til minoritetsproblematikk. En annen viktig presisering er at uavhengig av hvordan foreldre-barn sentrene organiseres, er det avgjørende at det finnes spesialisert kompetanse på utredning og behandling av små barn og deres foreldre.

• Jacobsen, Heidi; Smith, Lars; Moe, Vibeke & Ivarsson, Tord (2014). Foster care - an opportunity for young children: a longitudinal and prospective study of foster children's attachment and development. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

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