Thorhildur Halldorsdottir1, Alfgeir Logi Kristjansson2, Bryndis Bjork Asgeirsdottir3, Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir3, Jon Sigfusson4, Erla Maria Jonsdottir Tolgyes4, Heiddis B Valdimarsdottir3,5, John Allegrante6, Inga Dora Sigfusdottir7,8,9. 1. Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. thorhildurh@ru.is. 2. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. 4. Icelandic Center for Social Research and Analysis, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. 5. Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA. 6. Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA. 7. Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. ingadora@ru.is. 8. Icelandic Center for Social Research and Analysis, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. ingadora@ru.is. 9. Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA. ingadora@ru.is.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Identifying and understanding modifiable risk and protective factors that can inform early detection and intervention to prevent adolescent emotional problems and harmful behaviours is among the most pressing modern-day public health challenges. This paper describes the rationale, objectives, methods, and anticipated outcomes of the LIFECOURSE study, a multi-level, bio-psychosocial prospective study designed to advance our understanding of factors that shape adolescent mental health and behaviour. METHODS: Conducted by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis at Reykjavik University, LIFECOURSE is a longitudinal population-based developmental study of Icelandic adolescents born in 2004. The study utilizes a comprehensive multi-informant assessment of individual, societal and biological factors measured across the lifespan. Data assembly and collection were conducted from 2016-2020 and utilize both retrospective and prospective data sources: (a) retrospective registry data assembled from seven national databases, (b) prospectively collected social surveys and (c) biomarker samples. RESULTS: Of the 3914 eligible adolescents, 60.8% (n = 2378) provided informed parental consent and student assent to participate in the study, with approximately half of the participants being female (n = 1175, 49.4%) and the majority being born in the capital area (n = 1455; 61.2%). The coverage of available data from the national databases and participation in the social surveys ranged from 81.7 to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Major gaps remain in our knowledge of how individual, societal and biological factors across the lifespan-from early life to adolescence-interact and shape the risk for emotional problems and harmful behaviours during adolescence. The LIFECOURSE study was designed to address this knowledge gap.
PURPOSE: Identifying and understanding modifiable risk and protective factors that can inform early detection and intervention to prevent adolescent emotional problems and harmful behaviours is among the most pressing modern-day public health challenges. This paper describes the rationale, objectives, methods, and anticipated outcomes of the LIFECOURSE study, a multi-level, bio-psychosocial prospective study designed to advance our understanding of factors that shape adolescent mental health and behaviour. METHODS: Conducted by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis at Reykjavik University, LIFECOURSE is a longitudinal population-based developmental study of Icelandic adolescents born in 2004. The study utilizes a comprehensive multi-informant assessment of individual, societal and biological factors measured across the lifespan. Data assembly and collection were conducted from 2016-2020 and utilize both retrospective and prospective data sources: (a) retrospective registry data assembled from seven national databases, (b) prospectively collected social surveys and (c) biomarker samples. RESULTS: Of the 3914 eligible adolescents, 60.8% (n = 2378) provided informed parental consent and student assent to participate in the study, with approximately half of the participants being female (n = 1175, 49.4%) and the majority being born in the capital area (n = 1455; 61.2%). The coverage of available data from the national databases and participation in the social surveys ranged from 81.7 to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Major gaps remain in our knowledge of how individual, societal and biological factors across the lifespan-from early life to adolescence-interact and shape the risk for emotional problems and harmful behaviours during adolescence. The LIFECOURSE study was designed to address this knowledge gap.
Authors: Alfgeir Logi Kristjansson; Jack E James; John P Allegrante; Inga Dora Sigfusdottir; Asgeir R Helgason Journal: Prev Med Date: 2010-05-15 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: John S Santelli; Javaid Kaiser; Lesley Hirsch; Alice Radosh; Linda Simkin; Susan Middlestadt Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Alfgeir L Kristjansson; Michael J Mann; Jon Sigfusson; Ingibjorg E Thorisdottir; John P Allegrante; Inga Dora Sigfusdottir Journal: Health Promot Pract Date: 2019-06-04
Authors: Alfgeir L Kristjansson; Inga D Sigfusdottir; John P Allegrante; Asgeir R Helgason Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2008-03-07 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Thorhildur Halldorsdottir; Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir; Caine C A Meyers; Bryndis Bjork Asgeirsdottir; Alfgeir Logi Kristjansson; Heiddis B Valdimarsdottir; John P Allegrante; Inga Dora Sigfusdottir Journal: JCPP Adv Date: 2021-08-03