BackgroundFew population studies have assessed the prevalence of various psychiatric disorders separately for sexual and gender minority groups, and none in an adolescent population. Given the increased mental health problems in sexual and gender minority groups combined, the present study aimed to estimate prevalence of mental disorders in separate sexual minority groups as well as gender discontent persons in community-recruited adolescents in Sweden.MethodsThe present study is based on two waves (at 17 and 18 years of age) of a longitudinal cohort study (N = 949; 56% with female and 44% male legal gender, of which 1.7% reported gender discontent). Diagnostic data of 20 mental health disorders (psychiatric, substance use, and addictive behavior disorders) for each group of sexual orientation (asexual, homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual) and gender discontent are reported, based on structured screening and subsequent diagnostic procedures.ResultsThe largest prevalence of mental health disorders was detected in homosexual girls and in bisexuals of both genders. Among asexual individuals, and among homosexual boys, none of the participants fulfilled the mental health disorders assessed. Gender discontent was associated with a moderately higher number of mental health disorders.ConclusionMental health services, both in specialized psychiatry and in community-based services targeting the mental health of adolescents may need to take into consideration the increased vulnerability for mental health disorders in bisexual individuals and in female homosexual individuals. Further research with larger samples is essential to better understand mental health in asexual individuals, young male homosexuals, and transgender or gender discontent populations.

This study examined the prevalence, stability, and fluidity of sexual orientation as well as the prevalence of gender discontent. From a community sample (i.e., all adolescents of the age cohort were invited), this study analyzed data from 1513 adolescents (50.5% females), who replied to questions about sexual attraction on at least one of three occasions (age 14: n = 623; age 15: n = 1322; and age 17: n = 949). Sexual orientation was operationalized from the attraction pattern and shifts in that pattern were analyzed longitudinally. Gender discontent was measured only once, at 17 years. Various types of sexual orientation were found, including homo-, bi-, a/non-, and heterosexual (on all three occasions) alongside gender discontent (at age 17). The results revealed the fluidity of sexual orientation during adolescence, including the decrease of nonsexuality from 14 to 17 years in both girls (from 10.2 to 2.1%) and boys (from 9.4 to 3.4%) shifting to stronger sexual attractions, primarily heterosexuality (girls from 69.4 to 74.8%; boys from 83.1 to 88.5%). Bisexuality emerged as more prevalent among girls than boys (18.2 vs. 4.5%). Notably, stability in a homosexual pattern was lower than other sexual orientations, since few remained in that same group from 15 to 17 years old (girls 17.6%, boys 29.4%), suggesting frequent shifts to and from other groups. Gender discontent was endorsed by 1.7% with about the same number of both genders and an array of sexual orientations was shown. These findings emphasize the nuanced developmental trajectories that adolescents navigate while forming their sexual identities.

Research on adolescent sexual orientation has expanded in recent decades, yet little is known about its associations with personality traits during this developmental period. This study examined personality dimensions, as measured by the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory, across adolescent sexual orientation groups (asexual, homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual) in a community-based sample of Swedish adolescents (N = 1195). Significant differences emerged primarily among girls, with bisexual girls exhibiting higher novelty seeking and harm avoidance but lower reward dependence and self-directedness compared to heterosexual peers. Asexual girls displayed lower novelty seeking than all other groups. Among boys, bisexual adolescents showed elevated harm avoidance relative to their heterosexual and asexual peers. Overall, effect sizes were small, though some post hoc comparisons yielded moderate to large effects. These findings suggest that sexual orientation is linked to personality traits during adolescence, with notable gender differences in the nature and magnitude of these associations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present the Gothenland Millennium Cohort, describe the data collection process, present key measures used and summarise some of the key findings to date in order to stimulate collaboration and use of the cohort data. This research programme was originally established to study pathways to alcohol and drug use, behavioural problems, mental health issues, and the factors that promote or prevent these outcomes. The Cohort aims to support scientific research and doctoral education through a longitudinal study that tracks individuals from early adolescence through adulthood. This programme is multidisciplinary (social work, psychology, disability research) with the goal of producing high-quality research that deepens our understanding of how early-life vulnerabilities, risks and protective factors influence long-term wellbeing, including health and welfare, in diverse populations.

PARTICIPANTS: In 2013, all school-registered adolescents, in grades 6 and 7 (aged 12 and 13), in four municipalities in Gothenland region (ie, southern Sweden) born in year 2000 or 2001, were invited to participate. Of 2150 invited adolescents, 1885 (88%) accepted participation in the programme and 1760 (93.4%) participated in at least one of the annual data collection waves up to grade 9 (Wave 4), with participation rates ranging from 70% to 85% per wave. Wave 5 questionnaires were collected during the second year of upper secondary school (grade 11). In Wave 5, half (50.4 %; n = 949) of the adolescents participated. In Wave 6, interviews were conducted with a selection of participants in their last year of upper secondary school (grade 12). Parents were surveyed in Waves 1 and 2 by self-report questionnaires (response rate = 32%; 41%). Data were also gathered from teachers (attrition <30% across Waves 1-4). Child welfare service records and population-based register data have also been collected.

FINDINGS TO DATE: Over 240 publications have been produced as of September 2025 in the areas of disability and everyday functioning, child-parent relationships, child welfare, substance use and criminal behaviour, mental health, trauma, harassment, and sexuality.

FUTURE PLANS: These include continued investigation of wellbeing and its related indicators during adolescence as well as in emerging adulthood, continued efforts to secure funding and an age 25 expansion of the cohort data.

Child welfare services (CWS) rely on referrals from professionals and civilians to address maltreatment and behavioural problems. To our knowledge, no prior study explored to what extent children who self-reported severe exposure to maltreatment or behavioural problems are referred to the CWS. This study is based on two data sets on a Swedish community sample of 1884 children: (i) self-reports in four waves during adolescence, including indicators of severe exposure, and (ii) a retrospective systematic review of all children's CWS records at age 18. According to self-reports, 445 matched one or more indicators of severe exposure. In total, 389 children of the total sample were referred, but only 169 of the self-reported severely exposed. Severely exposed children were more likely to be referred than other children, adjusting for several background factors. Children who did not experience severe exposure but lived in single-parent families, teenage parent families, poor families or immigrant families were more likely to be referred to CWS than other children. The findings are discussed from a children's rights perspective and inequity in relation to social work practice. In conclusion, although the referral rates are high, many children who are severely exposed to child maltreatment and behavioural problems remain undetected.

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine how alcohol consumption by mothers and fathers, parental monitoring (knowledge, control and solicitation), adolescent disclosure and novelty seeking were associated with the likelihood of alcohol use and inebriation among adolescents in three different age groups (13–14 years, 14–15 years, and 17 years). The results showed that alcohol consumption by parents is of significance for adolescent alcohol consumption (odds ratio mothers: 1.47 [1.17–1.84], odds ratio fathers 1.33 [1.08–1.65]) and inebriation, especially in the 17-year-old age group. The results showed that novelty seeking was a strong risk factor in all three age groups, while parental control and knowledge had no impact. This study shows that parental solicitation increased the odds at age 17 for alcohol consumption (2.64 [1.02–6.83]) and inebriation, while adolescent disclosure decreased the odds (0.18 [0.05–0.68]). In summary, the study shows that parents should be particularly attentive to adolescents with high novelty-seeking behaviour and that parental alcohol consumption influences adolescent alcohol habits.

Background This study investigates a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, gambling, and internet gaming disorders in Swedish 18-year-old boys and girls with the aim of estimating the prevalence of disorders and comorbidity. Methods We used a two-phase design with screening to detect candidates for clinical interviews. Screening included 949 adolescents (55.6% girls), out of which 758 adolescents (57.0% girls) were selected for interview with at least one of four instruments: M.I.N.I., ADDIS, NODS and IGDS. Of these, 387 (61.2% girls) were interviewed. Gender separated prevalence was estimated on the assumption that those selected but not interviewed had the same distribution as those interviewed based on similar outcomes above screening cut-offs. Comorbidity between types of disorders was estimated on similar assumptions. In addition, comorbidity between dyads of the ten most common specified disorders was calculated based on recorded data without these assumptions. Results We estimated that 14.6% met the criteria of a substance use disorder (SUD), mostly concerning alcohol and more frequent in girls than in boys. Those meeting the criteria lifetime of at least one of 16 other psychiatric disorders were 26.7%, more than twice as frequent in girls compared to boys, and with depression being the most common disorder. Gambling and gaming disorders were found almost exclusively in boys, of which 5.8% met the criteria for gambling, and 2.3% for gaming disorders. Of girls with a SUD, 40% also had a psychiatric disorder, while on the other hand more than 28% of girls with a psychiatric disorder also had a SUD. In boys with a SUD, 22% had another psychiatric disorder, while 15% of those with a psychiatric disorder also had a SUD. Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidity is common in SUDs in adolescents, which calls for screening and diagnostic efforts in young patients presenting with symptoms of SUDs. Girls with SUDs are at higher risk of also suffering from psychiatric conditions. Gambling and gaming disorders appear in a substantial minority of adolescents and warrant further study of their comorbidity. Since prevalences and comorbidity were estimated on the assumptions mentioned, some caution in interpreting the results is needed.

Purpose

The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) is a widely used retrospective screening tool for childhood maltreatment in adults. Its properties are less known in adolescents. The objective was to investigate acceptability and psychometric properties when used in adolescents.

Method

A community sample of adolescents (n=1885) in four waves (from 13 or 14 to 17 years old) and a clinical sample (n=74, mean age 18), both from Sweden, were used to assess acceptability and different aspects of validity and reliability.

Results

The CTQ-SF was found to be well-accepted. As expected, the community sample scored lower than the clinical sample on all maltreatment-scales and showed stability over-time. In the community sample, internal consistencies were substantial or excellent for all scales except Physical neglect, and in the clinical sample this was found for all scales. One-year test-retest consistencies of subscales were substantial or almost perfect, and for all scales, they increased from early to mid-adolescence. Directed inconsistencies on item level decreased from early to mid-adolescence. Convergent validity was shown in relation to scales on family climate, parental relations, and emotional health also from early adolescence. Discriminant analyses showed more moderate discriminatory ability although almost seven times better than by-chance.

Conclusions

The CTQ is well accepted and can be trusted to provide consistent and valid self-reports from the age of 14 on childhood maltreatment. Some caution is advised when used with younger adolescents, since the test-retest stability is then weaker, and the interpretation of the M/D scale is more ambiguous.

To what extent do Swedish Samis identify their ethnicity as Sami, Swedish, or both? How do they meet various criteria for being allowed to register as voters to the Sami Parliament? What factors predict ethnicities? These questions are studied in randomised samples from the electoral roll for the Sami Parliament. Applying Berry’s model of acculturation, four types are constructed—separated, assimilated, integrated, and marginalised. The findings show that the integrated represent the great majority of Samis. The two groups who tend to choose one of the identities—Sami or Swedish—represent less than one third when combined and are about equal in size. Those marginalised with weak ethnic identities represent 2%. Although all meet the self-identification criterion of being Sami, few meet each of some ‘objective’ criteria, e.g. being involved in reindeer herding, having Sami as the home language or having parents or grandparents with Sami as the home language. The main predictors of a stronger Sami identity are cultural symbolic behaviours and heredity. The main negative predictor of a stronger Swedish identity among Samis is the use of cultural symbolic behaviours, and the main positive predictor is a positive estimate on the Swedish public opinion’s interest in Samis. The findings are discussed in relation to Sami debates on indigeneity.

This study examines how children report abuse, neglect and behavioural problems and what authorities they claim to have had contact with that are legally mandated to report to the Child Welfare Services, e.g. health services and police. It draws data from a longitudinal research programme, LoRDIA, in which four data collections followed adolescents’ development from 12 to 15 years (n = 1884). A total of 61 indicators of self-reported child abuse, neglect and behavioural problems were constructed to identify children with severe exposure so that each indicator would have prompted referral. The main finding is that 445 (25.3%) of the study population reported severe exposure of this magnitude. Among these self-reported severely exposed children (SSE), boys reported higher rates of child neglect and of overall behavioural problems, specifically criminal and other socially destructive behaviour. Poverty and living in single-parent households significantly increase the risk of abuse, neglect, and behavioural problems. Increased risk of neglect and criminal behaviour were found for children studying Swedish as second language. The SSE children more than other children report contact with all authorities with mandatory reporting. Odds ratios of contact were higher in the case of behavioural problems compared to the odds ratios for abuse and neglect.

Denna studie undersöker hur barn rapporterar övergrepp, försummelse och beteendeproblem samt vilka verksamheter de uppger att de har haft kontakt med, vilka enligt lag är skyldiga att anmäla sin oro till den sociala barnavården, t.ex. hälso- och sjukvård samt polis. Studien är baserad på ett longitudinellt forskningsprogram, LoRDIA, som genom fyra datainsamlingar följde ungdomars utveckling från 12 till 15 års ålder (n = 1884). Totalt 61 indikatorer för barns självrapporterade övergrepp, försummelse samt utsatthet genom beteendeproblem konstruerades för att identifiera barn med allvarlig utsatthet i den grad att varje indikator skulle ha lett till en orosanmälan. Det huvudsakliga fyndet är att 445 (25,3%) av studiepopulationen rapporterade allvarlig utsatthet i denna grad. Bland dessa barn med självrapporterad allvarlig utsatthet (SSE) rapporterade fler pojkar än flickor försummelse och beteendeproblem, särskilt kriminellt och annat socialt nedbrytande beteende. Att leva i fattigdom och att bo med en ensamstående förälder ökar avsevärt risken för övergrepp, försummelse och beteendeproblem. Ökad risk för försummelse och kriminellt beteende konstaterades också för barn som studerar svenska som andra språk. Dessa allvarligt utsatta barn uppger, mer än andra barn, kontakt med anmälningsskyldiga myndigheter. Mest kontakt har de barn som uppger allvarlig utsatthet genom beteendeproblem jämfört med dem som uppger allvarlig utsatthet genom övergrepp och försummelse.