– Significantly greater need for mental health assistance

The study, led by Viktor Schønning at the University of Bergen and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, finds particularly significant differences in emotional difficulties, hyperactivity, and problems in peer relationships.

A key finding is that children who have been exposed to multiple types of violence or abuse experience more severe mental health problems. The study thus provides important insight into how strongly such burdens affect children’s mental health and underscores the need for early identification and targeted intervention measures.

Researcher Viktor Schønning on the study

What do you consider the most important finding in the study?

– The most important finding is how extensive and severe the consequences of violence and abuse in childhood are for mental health. We observe that this group scores significantly higher on mental health problems across several areas. This emphasizes the need for early identification and targeted interventions to help these children and adolescents.

What was the motivation for this study?

– We know that violence and abuse in childhood are strongly associated with later mental health problems. However, there has been less research on how this affects children and adolescents while they are still developing. Previous research has largely focused on consequences in adulthood. We now wanted to map how it affects young people here and now, and how we can contribute to them receiving better follow-up.

How can they be used?

– Our findings show that children and adolescents exposed to violence and abuse have a significantly greater need for mental health assistance. We hope that the study can contribute to strengthening prevention, early intervention, and treatment. This is important knowledge for politicians, healthcare professionals, and child welfare services.

Were there any findings that surprised you?

– Yes, one of the most surprising findings was how extensive and pervasive the link between violence, abuse, and mental health problems was. We observed that the burdens affected children and adolescents across several areas, including emotional difficulties, hyperactivity, and social relationships.

What does the study say about the correlation between the number of burdens and mental health?

– We found that the more types of violence and abuse an individual had experienced, the worse their mental health problems were. This demonstrates that the cumulative effect of burdens has a strong impact on the mental health of children and adolescents, and underscores the need for comprehensive follow-up for the most vulnerable.

What is your advice to professionals working with children and young people exposed to violence and abuse?

– The most important thing is to detect and recognize signs of mental health problems early. We know that many children and adolescents do not seek help themselves, so it is crucial that professionals – whether in healthcare, schools, or child welfare – are proactive and offer support. Furthermore, intervention measures should be long-term and adapted to individual needs, as the consequences of violence and abuse can extend over time.

Are there any limitations in the study that are important to mention?

– Yes, some important limitations are that this is a cross-sectional study, which means we cannot definitively establish cause and effect. We compare with children and adolescents from the general population. We do not know how many in this group may have been exposed to violence or abuse, as this was not surveyed. Additionally, there is a certain time difference between when data were collected for the two groups.

What do you hope the study can achieve?

– I hope that the study contributes to increased awareness and better support measures for children and adolescents who have experienced violence and abuse. Our findings show the significant burden this places on mental health, and I hope it can lead to more people gaining access to early and effective help.

Read more about the study here.