Age groups changes in self-rated health: A prospective longitudinal study over a 20-year period using Health Survey of North Trøndelag data.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate changes in self-rated health (SRH) between different age groups and sexes over a 20-year period. Methods: Data were retrieved from the large longitudinal Health Survey of North Trøndelag, Norway, which includes data collected from more than 190,000 participants aged 20-70+ years between the years 1984 and 2008. Data were analysed using logistic regression and adjusted for sex. Results: From 1984 to 2008, the odds of scoring higher on SRH decreased by 46% in the youngest age group (20-29 years) and increased by approximately 35% in the middle-aged and older age groups (40-70+ years). When considering sex differences, women in most age groups scored lower than the men on their SRH. Conclusions: Our finding suggest a trending shift in SRH, with a reduction in the youngest age group (20-29 years) and an increase in the middle-aged and older age groups (40-70+ years). Despite the sex differences being small, our data indicate that in most age groups, women tend to score lower than men on their SRH. Future studies should focus on these trends to understand better the mechanisms underlying these changes in SRH and to follow future trends to see if the trend is reinforced or diminished.

Revisiting the "The Breakfast Club": Testing Different Theoretical Models of Belongingness and Acceptance (and Social Self-Representation).

The current work tests different theoretical models of belongingness and acceptance as fundamental needs for human motivation. In the current study, 372 participants were presented with 52 different items measuring five different theoretical models of belongingness (with a total of 32 items) and three different theoretical models of acceptance (with a total of 20 items). In a first step, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) failed to provide support for these eight theoretical models. In a second step, we therefore applied Exploratory Factor Analysis yielding three factors, which we interpreted as communicating: (1) Belongingness, (2) Emotion-Acceptance, and (3) Social Self-Representation. In a third step, these three factors were corroborated by a CFA. We discuss how these two factors of "belongingness," "emotion-acceptance" respond to the literature on the need to belong and be accepted, and we reflect on how 'social self-representation' seems to be an alternative motivation for how we present ourselves to our social relations to fulfill our needs.

Has life satisfaction in Norway increased over a 20-year period? Exploring age and gender differences in a prospective longitudinal study, HUNT.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the change in overall life satisfaction for different age groups and between genders over a 20-year period. METHODS: Data from 1984 to 2008 were extracted from a large prospective longitudinal health study of Nord-Trøndelag (HUNT), Norway. The study included more than 176,000 participants ranging from 20 to 70+ years of age. Data were analysed using logistic regression and adjusted for gender. RESULTS: The analyses revealed an increase in life satisfaction for all age groups from 1984-1986 (HUNT 1) to 1995-1997 (HUNT 2), with the highest levels being reached at 2006-2008 (HUNT 3). For all age groups, the data showed an increase of about 20% for the period from 1984-1986 (HUNT 1) to 1995-1997 (HUNT 2). From 1995-1997 (HUNT 2) to 2006-2008 (HUNT 3), the increase in overall life satisfaction was 16% for the younger age groups, and about 32% for the older age groups (40-69 and 70+ years). Women's scores for overall life satisfaction were higher for nearly all age groups when compared to men using HUNT 3 as a reference. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an increase in life satisfaction for all age groups from 1984 to 2008, especially for the older age group (40-69 and 70+ years). The data indicate that women score higher on life satisfaction for most age groups as compared to men.

Standardised detoxification in cases of polydrug use. / Standardisert avrusning ved blandingsmisbruk.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades the pattern of substance use among patients admitted for detoxification has changed from predominantly single-substance use to simultaneous multi-substance use. The evidence base for pharmacological treatment of polydrug users remains inadequate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A non-experimental cohort study was conducted with 284 polydrug users in the Detoxification Unit of Sørlandet Hospital in 2013. The therapeutic approach was standardised, and was based on social therapy and symptomatic treatment of withdrawal symptoms with valproate and clonidine as key medications. RESULTS: Three quarters of the patients were male and they had used more than three different substances on average. The average age was 39 years. In total, 75 % of patients completed the detoxification programme, and for 95 % detoxification occurred without complications. In 89 % of cases, the standard treatment protocol was followed. There was a weak but significant correlation between treatment discontinuation and the number of substances used (OR = 1.42, p < 0.05). In terms of complications, 1.1 % experienced delirium tremens, 1.1 % epileptic seizures and 1.4 % substance-induced psychosis. Transfer to a somatic ward was necessary for 2.1 % of patients, and to a psychiatric ward for 1.4 %. INTERPRETATION: The completion rate in this study was considerably higher than in previous detoxification studies, and the complication rate was lower. In view of the good results observed and the high degree of standardised treatment, the regimen can be considered a safe treatment option for other detoxification units.