A multi-level developmental approach towards understanding adolescent mental health and behaviour: rationale, design and methods of the LIFECOURSE study in Iceland ...

• Main Authors: Halldorsdottir, Thorhildur, Kristjansson, Alfgeir L., Asgeirsdottir, Bryndis Bjork, Thorisdottir, Ingibjorg E., Sigfusson, Jon, Jonsdottir Tolgyes, Erla Maria, Valdimarsdottir, Heiddis, Allegrante, John P., Sigfusdottir, Inga Dora
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Columbia University 2020
• Subjects: Teenagers > Mental health; Behavioral assessment of teenager; Research > Methodology; Child development > Research > Methodology; Iceland; Reykjavik University
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d8-a651-8z73; https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/d8-a651-8z73

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 ...