Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and ... more Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and by age in 40 countries. (2) In 6 countries, to compare rates of direct physical, direct verbal, and indirect bullying by gender, age, and country. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report surveys including items on bullying and being bullied were obtained from nationally representative samples of 11, 13 and 15 year old school children in 40 countries, N = 202,056. Six countries (N = 29,127 students) included questions about specific types of bullying (e. g., direct physical, direct verbal, indirect). Results: Exposure to bullying varied across countries, with estimates ranging from 8.6% to 45.2% among boys, and from 4.8% to 35.8% among girls. Adolescents in Baltic countries reported higher rates of bullying and victimization, whereas northern European countries reported the lowest prevalence. Boys reported higher rates of bullying in all countries. Rates of victimization were higher for girls in 29 of 40 countries. Rates of victimization decreased by age in 30 of 40 (boys) and 25 of 39 (girls) countries. Conclusion: There are lessons to be learned from the current research conducted in countries where the prevalence is low that could be adapted for use in countries with higher prevalence.
In a follow-up study of 70–95years old women and men (n = 911) we studied the association between... more In a follow-up study of 70–95years old women and men (n = 911) we studied the association between change and stability in three structural aspects of social relations (contact frequency, contact diversity, cohabitation status) from 1986–1990 and mortality after the next four years in 1994. Women aged 70–74years who developed low contact frequency or developed small contact diversity showed significantly higher mortality, adjusted ORfreq: 3.78 (1.08–13.20), adjusted ORdiv: 3.79 (1.24–11.58). Women aged 70–74years with continuously low contact frequency showed an increased mortality compared to women constantly experiencing high contact frequency, adjusted OR: 2.75 (1.04–7.26). A tendency in the same direction for sustained small contact diversity was found, adjusted OR: 1.98 (0.70–5.61). Among women aged 75+ years no impact of frequency and diversity was demonstrated, whereas continuously living alone was a significant predictor of mortality, when compared to women continuously living with somebody, adjusted OR: 2.57 (1.29–5.09). In men, we found a significantly increased mortality among those who developed high contact frequency and developed large contact diversity ORfreq: 3.91 (1.02–14.94) and ORdiv: 6.04 (1.30–28.03). In summary, we found rather larger age differences in the strength of the association between change in structural social relations and mortality. Furthermore, the associations seemed stronger among women than men, which may however mainly be explained by the small number of men in our cohort.
To describe the self-reported medicine use for common health complaints among 11-15-year-olds in ... more To describe the self-reported medicine use for common health complaints among 11-15-year-olds in Denmark during a ten year period, 1988-1998. The paper focuses on medicine for headache, stomach ache, cough, cold, nervousness, and difficulties in getting to sleep. Four cross-sectional surveys of 11-15-year-old students in random samples of schools in Denmark, conducted in 1988 (n=1671), 1991 (n=1860), 1994 (n=4046) and 1998 (n=5205). The surveys were similar with regard to sampling and data collection. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires in the classroom. A large proportion of 11-15-year-olds reported medicine use during the past month. It was most common to take medicines for headache (used by 55% of 15-year-old girls and 36% of 15-year-old boys in 1998) and stomach ache (33% among 15-year-old girls in 1998). Pain reliever use was higher among girls than boys and this sex difference increased with age. There was an upward trend in reported medicine use from 1988 to 1998, in particular regarding medicine for stomach-ache among 13- and 15-year-old girls. A large proportion of girls were frequent users of medicine for headache, stomach-ache, and sleeping difficulties. A high proportion of 11-15-year-old girls and boys reported medicine use in relation to common health complaints. The proportion of users increased during the past decade. It is suggested that more information about medicine be built into health education programs in the future.
Aims The aim of this paper was to assess (1) changes in drinking behaviour over time among Danis... more Aims The aim of this paper was to assess (1) changes in drinking behaviour over time among Danish adolescents and (2) use of which alcoholic beverages and what drinking patterns would have the strongest predictive effect on later alcohol consumption.Design, setting, participants The population was a random sample of 15-year-olds (baseline 1990, response rate 86%, n= 847) with a first follow-up 4 years later (response rate 85%, n= 729).Measurements Alcohol intake was assessed by experience of drunkenness, quantity and frequency of consumption. Thresholds recommended by the Danish National Board of Health were used to discriminate high from low intake.Findings At 19 years of age at least 80% drank alcohol monthly, and 24% of the men and 11% of the women had an alcohol intake above the recommended national limits, i.e. 21 weekly units of alcohol for men and 14 for women. Consumption of alcoholic beverages at age 15 increased the risk of drinking alcohol weekly at the age of 19 [odds ratio (OR)-values from 1.11 to 3.53]. Drunkenness among the 15-year-old boys and the use of spirits of the 15-year-old girls showed the strongest predictive relationship with excessive consumption at age 19 [OR = 2.44, confidence interval (CI): 1.38–4.29, respectively, OR = 1.97, CI: 1.15–3.38].Conclusions Alcohol consumption as early as the age of 15 predicted weekly alcohol consumption and alcohol intake exceeding the recommended amount 4 years later. Young teenagers’ high alcohol consumption was not just a passing phenomenon. It was a behaviour that tracked into young adulthood, leaving the adolescents at increased risk of being long-term, large-scale consumers.
Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and ... more Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and by age in 40 countries. (2) In 6 countries, to compare rates of direct physical, direct verbal, and indirect bullying by gender, age, and country. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report surveys including items on bullying and being bullied were obtained from nationally representative samples of 11, 13 and 15 year old school children in 40 countries, N = 202,056. Six countries (N = 29,127 students) included questions about specific types of bullying (e. g., direct physical, direct verbal, indirect). Results: Exposure to bullying varied across countries, with estimates ranging from 8.6% to 45.2% among boys, and from 4.8% to 35.8% among girls. Adolescents in Baltic countries reported higher rates of bullying and victimization, whereas northern European countries reported the lowest prevalence. Boys reported higher rates of bullying in all countries. Rates of victimization were higher for girls in 29 of 40 countries. Rates of victimization decreased by age in 30 of 40 (boys) and 25 of 39 (girls) countries. Conclusion: There are lessons to be learned from the current research conducted in countries where the prevalence is low that could be adapted for use in countries with higher prevalence.
Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and ... more Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and by age in 40 countries. (2) In 6 countries, to compare rates of direct physical, direct verbal, and indirect bullying by gender, age, and country. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report surveys including items on bullying and being bullied were obtained from nationally representative samples of 11, 13 and 15 year old school children in 40 countries, N = 202,056. Six countries (N = 29,127 students) included questions about specific types of bullying (e. g., direct physical, direct verbal, indirect). Results: Exposure to bullying varied across countries, with estimates ranging from 8.6% to 45.2% among boys, and from 4.8% to 35.8% among girls. Adolescents in Baltic countries reported higher rates of bullying and victimization, whereas northern European countries reported the lowest prevalence. Boys reported higher rates of bullying in all countries. Rates of victimization were higher for girls in 29 of 40 countries. Rates of victimization decreased by age in 30 of 40 (boys) and 25 of 39 (girls) countries. Conclusion: There are lessons to be learned from the current research conducted in countries where the prevalence is low that could be adapted for use in countries with higher prevalence.
In a follow-up study of 70–95years old women and men (n = 911) we studied the association between... more In a follow-up study of 70–95years old women and men (n = 911) we studied the association between change and stability in three structural aspects of social relations (contact frequency, contact diversity, cohabitation status) from 1986–1990 and mortality after the next four years in 1994. Women aged 70–74years who developed low contact frequency or developed small contact diversity showed significantly higher mortality, adjusted ORfreq: 3.78 (1.08–13.20), adjusted ORdiv: 3.79 (1.24–11.58). Women aged 70–74years with continuously low contact frequency showed an increased mortality compared to women constantly experiencing high contact frequency, adjusted OR: 2.75 (1.04–7.26). A tendency in the same direction for sustained small contact diversity was found, adjusted OR: 1.98 (0.70–5.61). Among women aged 75+ years no impact of frequency and diversity was demonstrated, whereas continuously living alone was a significant predictor of mortality, when compared to women continuously living with somebody, adjusted OR: 2.57 (1.29–5.09). In men, we found a significantly increased mortality among those who developed high contact frequency and developed large contact diversity ORfreq: 3.91 (1.02–14.94) and ORdiv: 6.04 (1.30–28.03). In summary, we found rather larger age differences in the strength of the association between change in structural social relations and mortality. Furthermore, the associations seemed stronger among women than men, which may however mainly be explained by the small number of men in our cohort.
To describe the self-reported medicine use for common health complaints among 11-15-year-olds in ... more To describe the self-reported medicine use for common health complaints among 11-15-year-olds in Denmark during a ten year period, 1988-1998. The paper focuses on medicine for headache, stomach ache, cough, cold, nervousness, and difficulties in getting to sleep. Four cross-sectional surveys of 11-15-year-old students in random samples of schools in Denmark, conducted in 1988 (n=1671), 1991 (n=1860), 1994 (n=4046) and 1998 (n=5205). The surveys were similar with regard to sampling and data collection. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires in the classroom. A large proportion of 11-15-year-olds reported medicine use during the past month. It was most common to take medicines for headache (used by 55% of 15-year-old girls and 36% of 15-year-old boys in 1998) and stomach ache (33% among 15-year-old girls in 1998). Pain reliever use was higher among girls than boys and this sex difference increased with age. There was an upward trend in reported medicine use from 1988 to 1998, in particular regarding medicine for stomach-ache among 13- and 15-year-old girls. A large proportion of girls were frequent users of medicine for headache, stomach-ache, and sleeping difficulties. A high proportion of 11-15-year-old girls and boys reported medicine use in relation to common health complaints. The proportion of users increased during the past decade. It is suggested that more information about medicine be built into health education programs in the future.
Aims The aim of this paper was to assess (1) changes in drinking behaviour over time among Danis... more Aims The aim of this paper was to assess (1) changes in drinking behaviour over time among Danish adolescents and (2) use of which alcoholic beverages and what drinking patterns would have the strongest predictive effect on later alcohol consumption.Design, setting, participants The population was a random sample of 15-year-olds (baseline 1990, response rate 86%, n= 847) with a first follow-up 4 years later (response rate 85%, n= 729).Measurements Alcohol intake was assessed by experience of drunkenness, quantity and frequency of consumption. Thresholds recommended by the Danish National Board of Health were used to discriminate high from low intake.Findings At 19 years of age at least 80% drank alcohol monthly, and 24% of the men and 11% of the women had an alcohol intake above the recommended national limits, i.e. 21 weekly units of alcohol for men and 14 for women. Consumption of alcoholic beverages at age 15 increased the risk of drinking alcohol weekly at the age of 19 [odds ratio (OR)-values from 1.11 to 3.53]. Drunkenness among the 15-year-old boys and the use of spirits of the 15-year-old girls showed the strongest predictive relationship with excessive consumption at age 19 [OR = 2.44, confidence interval (CI): 1.38–4.29, respectively, OR = 1.97, CI: 1.15–3.38].Conclusions Alcohol consumption as early as the age of 15 predicted weekly alcohol consumption and alcohol intake exceeding the recommended amount 4 years later. Young teenagers’ high alcohol consumption was not just a passing phenomenon. It was a behaviour that tracked into young adulthood, leaving the adolescents at increased risk of being long-term, large-scale consumers.
Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and ... more Objectives: (1) To compare the prevalence of bullying and victimization among boys and girls and by age in 40 countries. (2) In 6 countries, to compare rates of direct physical, direct verbal, and indirect bullying by gender, age, and country. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report surveys including items on bullying and being bullied were obtained from nationally representative samples of 11, 13 and 15 year old school children in 40 countries, N = 202,056. Six countries (N = 29,127 students) included questions about specific types of bullying (e. g., direct physical, direct verbal, indirect). Results: Exposure to bullying varied across countries, with estimates ranging from 8.6% to 45.2% among boys, and from 4.8% to 35.8% among girls. Adolescents in Baltic countries reported higher rates of bullying and victimization, whereas northern European countries reported the lowest prevalence. Boys reported higher rates of bullying in all countries. Rates of victimization were higher for girls in 29 of 40 countries. Rates of victimization decreased by age in 30 of 40 (boys) and 25 of 39 (girls) countries. Conclusion: There are lessons to be learned from the current research conducted in countries where the prevalence is low that could be adapted for use in countries with higher prevalence.
Uploads
Papers by Pernille Due