Eirin Mølland

• Befus, Eva-Grethe; Mølland, Eirin; Helseth, Sølvi; Småstuen, Milada Cvancarova; Stea, Tonje Holte & Nolte, Sandra [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). The use of youth healthcare services and its association with health-related quality of life, physical and mental health and over-the-counter analgesics use in 13–19-year-old adolescents: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. ISSN 1471-2458. 24(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17544-0.
• Haraldstad, Kristin; Abildsnes, Eirik; Bøe, Tormod; Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås; Wilson, Philip & Mølland, Eirin (2023). Health-related quality of life of children from low-income families: the new patterns study. BMC Public Health. ISSN 1471-2458. 23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17335-7. Full text in Research Archive
• Bøe, Tormod; Ostojic, Helene Angelica; Haraldstad, Kristin; Abildsnes, Eirik; Wilson, Philip & Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Self-reported and parent-reported mental health in children from low-income families in Agder, Norway: results from baseline measurements of New Patterns project participants. BMJ Open. ISSN 2044-6055. 13(11). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076400. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Poverty may pose risks to child and adolescent mental health, but few studies have reported on this association among children and adolescents in low-income families in Norway. Methods Based on a sample participating in an intervention for low-income families in Norway, we report data from the survey administered at the start of the intervention. Mental health problems were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; self-report (SR) n = 148; parent/proxy-report (PR) n = 153, mean age = 10.8). Demographic and family characteristics were obtained from parent reported data. Results are presented by gender and migration background. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relative contribution of background factors to mental health symptoms. The distribution of scores is compared to UK norms. Results Participants reported relatively high scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Total Difficulties Scale (parent/proxy-report, PR mean=10.7; self-report, SR mean=10.1). Participants with non-immigrant backgrounds scored considerably higher on the Total Difficulties Scale (PR mean difference=2.9; SR 5.3) and on most other domains measured with the SDQ compared with their peers with immigration backgrounds. Participants generally scored higher than or equal to UK norms. Conclusion Participants in the current study had many symptoms of mental health problems, with large differences between those with and without a migrant background. Interventions for low-income families should be based on detailed knowledge about differences in family risks, resources and needs.

• Mølland, Eirin; Lundberg, Kjetil; Haraldstad, Kristin; Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås; Bøe, Tormod & Danielsen, Hilde [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). Economic composition and income volatility of Norwegian low-income families – a mixed method study of its implications. Nordic Journal of Social Research. ISSN 1892-2783. 14(1), p. 1–22. doi: 10.18261/njsr.14.1.2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: There is a growing amount of research literature documenting increasing social inequality and an increase in the number of children growing up in families with persistently low income in all Scandinavian countries. However, there is a research gap on the issue of income composition; what the main income sources of low-income families are in relation to the families’ position to the labour market and to the welfare state, and possible implications of this to the families’ potential to escape poverty. The aim of this study was to describe the complexity in income sources experienced by low-income families with and without immigrant backgrounds in Norway. Method: Families with children aged 0–17 years (N = 168 families) with low income and in need of long-standing welfare services participated in the New Patterns project. We used a parallel mixed-methods design with quantitative and qualitative research methods, using questionnaires, register data, individual and focus group interviews, workshops with family coordinators and ethnographic fieldwork. Results: Most parents included in the study had low education (51%) and a low proportion participated in the labour market (21%). Twenty different income sources or benefits that the families received were identified and no clear pattern of type of income sources that families received emerged. Families with immigrant background were more likely to receive basic subsistence benefits than non-immigrant background families, and there were corresponding small differences in employment status upon entering the New Patterns project. Several benefits are reduced if families receive other types of income and the interdependence between the various revenue sources increases the unpredictability of total family income. The families have varying degrees of economic literacy, practical finance skills and competence in managing bureaucracy. Conclusion: Income volatility and mechanisms in the Norwegian welfare system contribute to a poverty trap for low-income families who depend on benefits that are not work-related.

• Befus, Eva-Grethe; Helseth, Sølvi; Mølland, Eirin; Westergren, Per Christer Thomas; Fegran, Liv & Haraldstad, Kristin (2023). Use of KIDSCREEN health-related quality of life instruments in the general population of children and adolescents: a scoping review. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. ISSN 1477-7525. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12955-023-02088-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose Subjectively assessing health related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents is increasingly important in the public health feld. One valid and widely used generic HRQoL instrument is the KIDSCREEN question‑ naire. The aim of this study was to map all studies using KIDSCREEN instruments in the general population of children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Methods A scoping review was conducted. The search strategy was formulated according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Scoping Reviews guidelines. The databases Cinahl, socINDEX, Medline, Embase, APA Psychinfo, Scopus, and Eric were searched in October 2021. Results In total, 1365 papers were eligible for screening, 1031 were excluded and 334 reports were read in full. 252 reports were included. KIDSCREEN studies in the general population was predominantly conducted in Europe (n=211). Most studies (n=179) had a cross sectional design, while few experimental studies (n=24) were found. The three KIDSCREEN versions comprising of 10, 27 and 52 items, were equally distributed between studies. The selfreported version (n=225) of the KIDSCREEN instrument was more prevalent than the proxy version, while few studies discussed a cut point. Study contexts refected international trends of public health challenges, commonly including mental- and psychosocial health, physical activity, socioeconomic status, and obesity. Conclusion KIDSCREEN is widely used in cross sectional studies assessing common public health challenges. Experi‑ mental and longitudinal assessments, possibly including relevant cut ofs remain mainly unexplored and are recom‑ mended for future research.

• Mølland, Eirin; Haraldstad, Kristin; Abildsnes, Eirik; Håland, Åshild Tellefsen; Köpp, Unni Mette Stamnes & Fegran, Liv [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in child and school health services among children aged 4 and 6 years in Southern Norway: clinical considerations. BMC Pediatrics. ISSN 1471-2431. 23. doi: 10.1186/s12887-023-03837-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Parent reported mental health can be assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Currently, Norwegian norms for parent-reported SDQ do not exist, whereas Swedish, Danish, and United Kingdom (UK) norms have been published. We aimed to (1) describe parent-reported SDQ among children aged 4 and 6 years in Southern Norway, (2) evaluate empirical cutoff values within the context of the Starting RightTM project in relation to the Swedish, Danish, and UK cutoffs, and (3) evaluate the representativeness of the study sample with regard to parental socioeconomic status. Methods This study included parent-reported observations for 665 children (63% consent rate). Means and standard deviations were calculated for the domains of SDQ, and gender differences were assessed. Based on the Swedish, Danish, and UK cutoffs and the 80th and 90th percentile cutoff values within the study, we calculated the total number of children with borderline and abnormal scores. Results Boys had higher mean total difficulties (7.3 vs 5.6) and impact scores (0.3 vs 0.1) and lower prosocial scores (8.3 vs 8.8) than girls. The differences in means were largest in the case of externalizing symptoms (5.0 vs 3.6) and hyperactivity subscore (3.2 vs 2.3). Using the UK cutoff values, 28 and 25 children had borderline and abnormal total difficulties scores, respectively. The corresponding numbers using the within study or Scandinavian cutoff values were 84–99 and 54–79, respectively. Overall, our study sample was well representative of the target population. Conclusions Our findings consistently indicated that girls had better SDQ scores than boys among children aged 4 and 6 years. Fewer children would be identified as having mental health difficulties using the UK cutoff values than using the Scandinavian age- and gender-relevant cutoff values.

• Robstad, Anja Nastasja; Westergren, Per Christer Thomas; Mølland, Eirin; Abildsnes, Eirik; Haraldstad, Kristin & Køpp, Unni Mette Stamnes [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). Experiences of Norwegian child and school health nurses with the “Starting Right™” child health assessment innovation: a qualitative interview study. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 22(1). doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08088-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Although child health services are well established in Norway, the use of information technology for the systematic collection of evidence-based child- and proxy-reported health measures may be benefcial in the early identifcation of child development problems. The Norwegian “Starting Right™” health service innovation consists of parent- and child-reported online structured health assessments tools, including practical routines for child and school health assessments. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of child and school health nurses with the Starting Right innovation. Methods: We used a qualitative design and conducted three focus group interviews with 18 child and school health nurses from three child health centres one year after the implementation of the innovation. Results: The experiences of professionals with the Starting Right innovation were captured by three themes: (1) the digital innovation could be used to obtain a good overview of a child’s health and development; (2) interpreting the questionnaires was a challenge; and (3) implementing the new digital innovation was time-consuming. Conclusions: Overall, the child and school health nurses experienced that the Starting Right innovation was useful for providing a comprehensive overview of child development and health. The challenges related to interpreting the parents’ scores and follow-up of children, as well as providing the questionnaires in relevant foreign languages, should be addressed to allow all children and families to be reached

• Westergren, Thomas; Mølland, Eirin; Haraldstad, Kristin; Håland, Åshild Tellefsen; Køpp, Unni Mette & Fegran, Liv [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Implementation of the norwegian ‘Starting right’ child health service innovation: implementation adjustments, adoption, and acceptability. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06096-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: An increased and/or stable proportion of the child and adolescent population reports symptoms ofimpaired health, and the symptoms can be identified early. Therefore, structured child- and parent-reportedoutcome measures need to be implemented in child and school health services for decision support andidentification of children at risk. We aimed to (a) qualitatively examine adjustments of active implementation fromthe pilot implementation of the Norwegian‘Starting Right’health service innovation including an online childhealth assessment tool and practical routines, and (b) measure practitioners ́ adoption and parental acceptability. Methods: We used a mixed-methods design to qualitatively examine adjustments from working notes andmeeting memoranda, and quantitatively assess adoption and acceptability from user rates provided by the systemslog. Twenty-one child and school health nurses (CSHNs) from two child health centers participated in theimplementation pilot of online health assessments in children aged 2-, 4- and 6-year. We used a deductive andnarrative analysis approach using Fixsen et al. ́s core implementation components to code and sort adjustments. Results: Core implementation components were adjusted throughout the pilot implementation. Researchers ́increased their availability in reciprocity with staff evaluation to integrate active implementation adjustments. Welaunched a project for improved data systems integration. The overall CSHNs adoption rate was satisfactory andhigher in center A, where a medical secretary supported the nurses through the entire pilot phase, than in center B(96 vs. 55 %). Parental acceptability rate was overall high (77 %) with increased rates among parents of 6-year-oldchildren (98 %) compared with younger ones (78–85 %), and in cases where both parents received thequestionnaires. Conclusions: The ‘Starting Right’ health service innovation implementation was actively adjusted by integration of core implementation components mainly based on staff evaluation. The CSHNs adopted the innovation which was also acceptable to parents.

• Mølland, Eirin; Vigsnes, Kristine L.; Bøe, Tormod; Danielsen, Hilde; Lundberg, Kjetil & Haraldstad, Kristin [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2020). The New Patterns study: coordinated measures to combat child poverty. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. p. 1–9. doi: 10.1177/1403494820956452. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Child poverty rates are rising in Norway with potential negative consequences for children. Services for families with low income are often fragmented and poorly integrated, and few coordinated initiatives have been implemented and evaluated in Norway. Aims: The aim of the current study is to evaluate how integrated and coordinated services provided over a prolonged period by a family coordinator are related to changes across a wide range of health, wellbeing and home environment indicators for the participants. Methods: The study uses a mixed methods approach utilising survey and register data, as well as information from interviews and shadowing, to document and evaluate outcomes associated with the intervention and the process of implementation. Data are gathered at baseline and annually throughout the duration of the study. Participants are identified to facilitate longer-term follow-up using register data. Conclusions: This project will develop important knowledge about the implementation of coordinated services to families with a low income, and how this way of organizing services influences important outcomes for the family members in the short and long term.

• Buetikofer, Aline; Mølland, Eirin & Salvanes, Kjell Gunnar (2018). Childhood nutrition and labor market outcomes: Evidence from a school breakfast program. Journal of Public Economics. ISSN 0047-2727. 168, p. 62–80. doi: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2018.08.008. Show summary

  While a growing literature documents the short-term effects of public programs providing children with nutritious food, there is scarce evidence of the long-term effects of such programs. This paper studies the long-term and intergenerational consequences of access to nutritious food using the rollout of a free school breakfast program in Norwegian cities. This program provided children with nutritious food and replaced a hot school meal at the end of the day with similar caloric value but less micronutrients. Our results indicate that access to a nutritious school breakfast increases education by 0.1 years and earnings by 2–3%. In addition, we present empirical evidence that early exposure is most beneficial, that a longer treatment duration does not yield higher returns, and that the positive effects on men's earnings are transmitted across generations. Our results are mostly robust to adding municipality-specific time trends, event-study models support the validity of the research design, and most estimated effects survive adjustment for multiple hypothesis testing.

• Mølland, Eirin (2016). Benefits from delay? The effect of abortion availability on young women and their children. Labour Economics. ISSN 0927-5371. 43, p. 6–28. doi: 10.1016/j.labeco.2016.06.011.

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• Befus, Eva-Grethe; Mølland, Eirin; Helseth, Sølvi; Småstuen, Milada Cvancarova; Stea, Tonje Holte & Nolte, Sandra [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Livskvalitet og psykisk helse hos ungdom.
• Erland, Kathrine; Mølland, Eirin & Lindtveit, Maria Cecilie (2023). Forelesning: "Nye mønstre" holdt av Maria Lindtveit og Kathrine Erland. Praksiserfaringer og forskningsresultater. .
• Lindtveit, Maria Cecilie; Erland, Kathrine & Mølland, Eirin (2023). Forelesning: "Nye mønstre" holdt av Maria Lindtveit og Kathrine Erland. Praksiserfaringer og forskningsresultater. .
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Flere fattige familier mottar mange stønader. [Newspaper]. Fædrelandsvennen.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Familier holdes i vedvarende fattigdom. [Newspaper]. Fædrelandsvennen.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Hjelp mennesker å hjelpe seg selv. [Newspaper]. Fædrelandsvennen.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Ny metode for å hjelpe fattige familier viser oppløftende svar. [Internet]. NRK Sørlandet.
• Mølland, Eirin; Bøe, Tormod; Ask, Torunn Alise; Lundberg, Kjetil; Danielsen, Hilde & Abildsnes, Eirik [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Spør en forsker! Presentasjon og drøfting av funn av fra forskningsprosjektet Nye mønstre på familiekoordinator-samling.
• Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås & Mølland, Eirin (2023). Podcast:#05 Om barnefattigdom og nye mønstre. [Internet]. Fremtidens kommuner Podcast.
• Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås; Mølland, Eirin & Abildsnes, Eirik (2023). Nye mønstre - Hvordan organisere tjenester til familier med komplekse behov? Forebygging.no. ISSN 2535-4000.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Nyhetsinnslag om forskningsresultater Nye mønstre. [TV]. NRK Sørlandet.
• Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås & Mølland, Eirin (2023). Blir fanga i ei fattigdomsfelle . [Newspaper]. Klasssekampen.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Det minner oss om hvem vi er her for - en kvalitativ studie av familiekoordinatorerers erfaring med bruk av kartleggingsverktøy.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Nye Mønstre - Familiekoordinator samling.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Nye Mønstre.
• Mølland, Eirin (2023). Fattig i velferdsstaten Norge: Resultater fra Nye mønstre prosjektet.
• Mølland, Eirin; Abildsnes, Eirik & Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås (2023). New Patterns for Low-income Families - A model for comprehensive and coordinated efforts.
• Mølland, Eirin; Abildsnes, Eirik & Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås (2023). Nye mønstre – hvordan organisere tjenester til familier med komplekse behov? Forebygging.no. ISSN 2535-4000. doi: 10.21340/e7q5-qc87.
• Mølland, Eirin; Abildsnes, Eirik; Bersvendsen, Tore & Skår, Ingvild (2022). Nye mønstre for barnefamilier som har komplekse utfordringer. dagensmedisin.no.
• Vigsnes, Kristine Løkås; Bersvendsen, Tore; Mølland, Eirin & Abildsnes, Eirik (2022). Nye mønstre - trygg oppvekst. Koordinert, tverrfaglig innsats til barnefamilier med lavinntekt.
• Mølland, Eirin (2022). Nye mønstre for barnefamilier som strever med lavinntekt: Bidrar familiekoordinator til endring for familiene?
• Mølland, Eirin (2022). Levekår blant familier som strever med lav-inntekt og som delta i Nye Mønstre.
• Mølland, Eirin (2022). Exploring Living Conditions in Low-income Families .
• Mølland, Eirin & Bøe, Tormod (2022). Exploring Living Conditions in Low-income Families .
• Mølland, Eirin; Hansen, Kenneth; Rypestøl, Jan Ole & Vangstad, Arild (2017). Regional Rapport - Norges Bank 1/2017. Agderforskning.
• Mølland, Eirin; Hansen, Kenneth; Rypestøl, Jan Ole & Vangstad, Arild (2016). Regional Rapport - Norges Bank 4/2016. Agderforskning.
• Mølland, Eirin; Hansen, Kenneth; Rypestøl, Jan Ole & Vangstad, Arild (2016). Regional Rapport - Norges Bank 3/2016. Agderforskning.
• Mølland, Eirin; Hansen, Kenneth; Rypestøl, Jan Ole & Vangstad, Arild (2016). Regional Rapport - Norges Bank 2/2016. Agderforskning.
• Mølland, Eirin; Hansen, Kenneth; Rypestøl, Jan Ole & Vangstad, Arild (2016). Regional rapport - Norges Bank 1/2016. Agderforskning.
• Buetikofer, Aline; Mølland, Eirin & Salvanes, Kjell Gunnar (2016). Childhood Nutrition and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from a School Breakfast Program. Instiuttt for samfunnsøkonomi, NHH. ISSN 0804-6824. Show summary

  While a growing literature documents the short-term effects of public programs providing children with nutritious food, there is scarce evidence of the long-term effects of such programs. This paper studies the long-term consequences of access to nutritious food using the rollout of a free school breakfast program in Norwegian cities. This program provided children with nutritious food and replaced a hot school meal at the end of the day With similar caloric value but less micronutrients. Our results indicate that access to a nutritious school breakfast increases education by 0.1 years and earnings by 2-4 percent.

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