Adolescent self-harm and suicidal behavior and young adult outcomes in indigenous and non-indigenous people.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between self-harm and suicidal behavior in indigenous Sami and non-Sami adolescents and mental health and social outcomes in young adulthood. Data were obtained by linking the Norwegian Patient Registry (2008-2012), the National Insurance Registry (2003-2013), and the Norwegian Arctic Adolescent Health Study, a school-based survey inviting all 10th grade students in North Norway (2003-2005). In total, 3987 (68%) of all 5877 invited participants consented to the registry linkage, of whom 9.2% were indigenous Sami. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the associations between self-harm only, suicidal ideation with and without self-harm, and suicide attempts in adolescence (≤16-year-old), and later mental health disorders, long-term medical, social welfare benefit receipt, or long-term unemployment in young adulthood. Self-harm and suicidal behavior in Sami and non-Sami adolescents were associated with increased risk of later mental health disorders, long-term welfare benefit receipt, and long-term unemployment. These associations were attenuated by adolescent psychosocial problems. No major differences between the indigenous Sami participants and their non-Sami peers were found. Young suicide attempters experienced the highest risk, with adolescent suicide attempts being significantly associated with all four adult outcomes after adjustment. Self-harm and suicidal behavior in adolescence are markers of mental health disorders and unfavorable social outcomes in young adulthood, mostly accounted for by adolescent psychosocial problems. In contrast to other indigenous peoples, no indigenous health disparities were found, indicating that the indigenous Sami adolescents were not worse off.

Not engaged in education, employment or training (NEET) in an Arctic sociocultural context: the NAAHS cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is to explore the prevalence and predictors of not engaged in education, employment or training (NEET) status in a multicultural young adult population in Northern Norway. DESIGN AND SETTING: The longitudinal design link a self-reported survey (2003-2005) with an objective registry linkage follow-up 8-10 years later. PARTICIPANTS: Of all 5877 tenth graders (aged 15-16 years) in Northern Norway, 83% of the total age cohort from all 87 municipalities participated in the baseline survey. The follow-up studies consisted of 3987 consent giving adolescents (68%), were 365 (9.2%) reported indigenous Sami ethnicity. OUTCOME MEASURES: Youth NEET at the age of 23-25 years. METHODS: Explanatory variables were sociodemographic factors (gender, ethnicity, residency, parental education), mental health problems and musculoskeletal pain in adolescence. Outcome variable characterised as NEET-status was defined by no educational engagement, long-term recipient of sickness benefit, medical and non-medical benefit receipt or long-term unemployment. RESULTS: NEET-status in young adulthood was significantly higher among females (20.9%) than among males (16.2%). Ethnic differences occurred as being NEET among Sami males was significantly higher than among non-Sami males, 23.0% and 15.2% respectively. Minority Sami females experienced NEET-status to a lower degree (16.6%) than non-Sami females (20.8%). Among females adolescent peer problems (adjusted OR=1.09) and hyperactivity problems (adjusted OR=1.10) were associated with later NEET-status. Peer problems (adjusted OR=1.23), conduct problems (adjusted OR=1.17) and musculoskeletal problems (adjusted OR=1.15) in male adolescents were associated with later NEET-status, whereas emotional problems among males predicted significantly less later NEET- status (adjusted OR=0.88).We found lower parental education to be significantly associated with being NEET-later in young adults (females: adjusted OR=2.11, males: adjusted OR=3.22). CONCLUSIONS: To address the disengagement of education and work, particular emphasis must be placed on supporting young people struggling with mental and physical health problems.

Multisite musculoskeletal pain in adolescence and later mental health disorders: a population-based registry study of Norwegian youth: the NAAHS cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between multisite musculoskeletal pain in adolescence and mental health disorders in young adulthood. DESIGN AND SETTING: Data were obtained from a linkage between the Norwegian Patient Registry (2008-2012) and the Norwegian Arctic Adolescent Health Study, a school-based survey conducted among 10th grade students in North Norway (2003-2005). PARTICIPANTS: In total, 3987 (68%) of all 5877 invited participants consented to the registry linkage. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mental healthcare use and disorders from age 18-20 to 23-25 years (5 years). METHODS: Musculoskeletal pain was measured by the number of musculoskeletal pain sites. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association with later mental healthcare use and disorders. RESULTS: Multisite adolescent musculoskeletal pain was significantly associated with an increase in mental healthcare use and mental health disorders in young adulthood. The relationship was stronger for anxiety and mood disorders, in both genders. Overall, the association between musculoskeletal pain and later mental health problems was attenuated after controlling for adolescent psychosocial and mental health problems, not by physical or sedentary activity. This could be due to confounding or mediation. However, when examining different mental health disorders, we found musculoskeletal pain to be significantly associated with anxiety disorders, and showing a strong trend in mood disorders, when adjusted for the adolescent factors. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be aware that multisite adolescent pain is associated with mental health problems in adolescence, and that these adolescents are at increased risk of mental health disorders in young adulthood. As youth troubled by mental health problems commonly present physical symptoms it is important to examine for psychosocial problems in order to offer early interventions.

Musculoskeletal pain in Arctic indigenous and non-indigenous adolescents, prevalence and associations with psychosocial factors: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Pain is common in otherwise healthy adolescents. In recent years widespread musculoskeletal pain, in contrast to single site pain, and associating factors has been emphasized. Musculoskeletal pain has not been examined in Arctic indigenous adolescents. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of widespread musculoskeletal pain and its association with psychosocial factors, with emphasis on gender- and ethnic differences (Sami vs. non-Sami), and the influence of pain related functional impairment. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on The Norwegian Arctic Adolescent Health Study; a school-based survey responded by 4,881 10th grade students (RR: 83%) in North Norway, in 2003-2005. 10% were indigenous Sami. Musculoskeletal pain was based on reported pain in the head, shoulder/neck, back and/or arm/knee/leg, measured by the number of pain sites. Linear multiple regression was used for the multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was high, and significantly higher in females. In total, 22.4% reported 3-4 pain sites. We found a strong association between musculoskeletal pain sites and psychosocial problems, with a higher explained variance in those reporting pain related functional impairment and in females. There were no major differences in the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in Sami and non-Sami, however the associating factors differed somewhat between the indigenous and non-indigenous group. The final multivariable model, for the total sample, explained 21.2% of the variance of musculoskeletal pain. Anxiety/depression symptoms was the dominant factor associated with musculoskeletal pain followed by negative life events and school-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety/depression, negative life events, and school-related stress were the most important factors associated with musculoskeletal pain, especially in those reporting pain related functional impairment. The most important sociocultural aspect is the finding that the indigenous Sami are not worse off.