ICON members Viviane S Straatmann, Tanishta Rajesh, Josephine Jackisch, and Ylva B Almquist have established the “Swedish families of the 1990s (SWIFT90)” cohort, following those born in Sweden from 1990 to 1999, their parents, and siblings. This population-based study aims to explore the impact of parental involvement with child welfare services and outcomes of children in out-of-home care. Encompassing over 3.2 million individuals, SWIFT90 utilizes extensive data from national registers between 1960 and 2022 to analyze socioeconomic and health factors.
Author Archives: Ylva B Almquist
Grandparents’ mental health problems cast a long shadow
ICON members Baojing Li, Ylva B Almquist, Can Liu, and Lisa Berg have published a study the transmission of low income and psychiatric disorders across three generations. About the study There is a paucity of research examining the patterning of socioeconomic disadvantages and mental health problems across multiple generations. The current study therefore aimed toContinue reading “Grandparents’ mental health problems cast a long shadow”
Pathways from childhood adversity to mental ill-health differ between boys and girls
ICON members Lisa Bornscheuer and Ylva B Almquist have published a study on the role of extra-familial risk factors in adolescence for the association between out-of-home care and adult psychiatric disorders. About the study Psychiatric disorders are a substantial public health concern, and childhood adversity a well-known risk factor for it. Investigating gender differences inContinue reading “Pathways from childhood adversity to mental ill-health differ between boys and girls”
Parental death does not further increase the mortality risk among children in care
Sandra Rogne and Ylva B Almquist’s study investigates the impact of parental death during out-of-home care on premature mortality. Analyzing data from 948,483 Swedish individuals, they found that while out-of-home care experience raises mortality risk, parental death within placement does not further increase this risk. Further research is necessary to explore these dynamics.
Young people entering out-of-home care is a diverse group
ICON members Tanishta Rajesh, Viviane Straatmann, and Ylva Almquist have published a study exploring the diverse backgrounds and placement characteristics of children in out-of-home care (OHC) in Sweden.
Using group-based trajectory modelling, the study identified six distinct placement patterns, reflecting a wide range of experiences. Notably, children placed at younger ages were more likely to be exposed to adverse parental circumstances compared to those placed during adolescence.
The findings highlight important differences in family backgrounds across placement trajectories and underscore the need to recognize the heterogeneity of the OHC population to ensure more effective support and policy development.
Childhood adversity may even out otherwise observable gender differences
A new publication by ICON members Lisa Bornscheuer, Karl Gauffin, and Ylva B Almquist explores how gender and education shape patterns of adulthood disadvantage among those with childhood experiences of out-of-home care.
Using data from a 1953 Swedish birth cohort, they found that while gendered patterns of disadvantage were strong in the general population, these differences were less pronounced among those with a history of care.
Congratulations to Baojing Li!
On June 5, Baojing Li successfully defended her PhD thesis “Misfortune (dis)continues across generations. Multigenerational studies linking socioeconomic and psychosocial disadvantages to psychiatric disorders”.
Her studies reveal that low income and psychosocial factors transmit across generations, influencing mental health outcomes in grandchildren. Improved parental circumstances can mitigate these risks, emphasizing the importance of a multigenerational approach in public health strategies for mental well-being.
Congratulations Baojing!
Congratulations to Lisa Bornscheuer!
On June 4, Lisa Bornscheuer successfully defended her PhD thesis “Beating the odds of a bad hand. Studies of health and socioeconomic disadvantage in adults with experience of childhood adversity”. Her research explores vulnerability, resilience, and gender differences in psychosocial outcomes among individuals with out-of-home care experiences. The findings emphasize the importance of education in mitigating risks associated with early adversity across the life course.
Congratulations Lisa!
More support is needed for parents to children placed in care
Sydney Ross, Josephine Jackisch and Ylva B Almquist conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies on the socioeconomic and psychosocial conditions of parents with children in out-of-home care. The research highlights significant grief and loss, indicating a need for additional support services to aid parents during challenging times and reduce stigma associated with child welfare services.
Childhood adversity contributes to health inequalities
Josephine Jackisch’s study in Social Science & Medicine explores the impact of childhood adversity on the socioeconomic gradient in adult mortality. Analyzing data from the Stockholm Birth Cohort, it finds that in a counterfactual scenario, the education and income-related mortality gap was reduced by 40–54%. These findings suggest that addressing childhood adversity is a crucial policy entry point for reducing long-term health disparities.