Norman Anderssen

• Bolstad, Silje-Håvard; Anderssen, Norman; Hansen, Bjørge Hermann & Meyer, Ilan H. (2025). Gender-affirming health care needs, barriers to care, and health and wellbeing in a broad nationwide sample of transgender people in Norway. BMC Public Health. 25. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25243-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Transgender people report increased prevalence of mental distress and suicide attempts compared to the general population. Gender-based minority stressors such as discrimination and victimization are positively associated with mental health problems while social and medical gender transition is inversely associated with mental health problems. Barriers to accessing gender-affirming health care is reported by transgender people in many countries, including Norway which has a state-funded public health care system. The aim of the current study was to examine gender-affirming health care needs, barriers to care and health and wellbeing in a broad nationwide sample of transgender people in Norway. Methods: A nationwide sample with 579 transgender participants completed an anonymous online survey during June-September 2023. Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to examine differences between gender identity groups. Results: Having obtained gender-affirming health care was more common among trans men and trans women as compared to nonbinary people. Participants generally reported being satisfied with the outcomes of gender-affirming hormonal and surgical treatments. Having obtained treatment entirely through private funding was reported by 32.5% of those using hormones and 49.5% of those who had obtained surgery. Not being able to afford hormones or surgery was reported by 45.9% and 65.5% among those with unmet treatment needs. Compared to trans men and trans women with unmet needs, nonbinary people with unmet needs were less likely to be under assessment or on a waiting list to obtain treatments. Of the total sample, 36.7% reported suicide attempts, 74.8% reported mental distress above clinical cut-off and 12.5% reported being satisfied with life. Conclusions: Transgender people in Norway reported high levels of mental distress and suicidality. Despite being young and with low income, a large proportion had obtained gender-affirming medical treatments entirely through private funding. Transgender people in need of gender-affirming health care could benefit from increased access to care through the state-funded public health care system in Norway.

• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Hjørleifsson, Stefan; Anderssen, Norman; Bringedal, Berit & Hetlevik, Øystein (2025). Well-functioning depression care collaboration: general practitioners’ experiences with specialized mental health services. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2025.2598404. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Effective collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and specialized mental health services is essential to ensure high-quality care for patients with depression. However, achieving such collaboration remains a challenge across healthcare systems internationally. This study aimed to investigate Norwegian GPs’ perceptions of their collaboration with the two main components of specialized mental health services – community mental health centers and psychiatric contract specialists. We further examined factors associated with GPs’ perceptions of well-functioning collaboration and assessed how their knowledge of prioritization regulations was related to these perceptions. Methods: A questionnaire among Norwegian GPs, part of a biennial survey among physicians working in Norway capturing information of different elements of collaboration between GPs and mental health specialists and knowledge about prioritization criteria. Results: Half of the GPs reported collaboration be well-functioning, largely independent of organizational model. A shared understanding of the patient’s problems and clear definition of roles had the highest association with well-functioning collaboration. Experiencing a clear distribution of responsibilities and tasks and active communication was associated with perceived well-functioning collaboration. GPs’ knowledge about the prioritization criteria was positively associated with a perceived well-functioning collaboration. Our findings reveal unclarities regarding the distribution of responsibilities and tasks and very little interactive communication between GPs and mental health specialists in both organizational models, which were affecting the GPs’ perceptions of collaboration negatively. Conclusions: Enhanced clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities, more communication about the patient during concurrent treatment, and improved knowledge about specialized mental health prioritization criteria could facilitate and improve the collaboration.

• Meling, Heidi Marie; Baste, Valborg; Ruths, Sabine; Anderssen, Norman & Haukenes, Inger (2025). Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study). BMC Health Services Research. 25(1). doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12406-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Depressive disorders can negatively impact work life sustainability for affected individuals. Little is known about depression care trajectories and their association with sustainable return to work (SRTW) after long-term sick leave. This study aimed to identify depression care trajectories during the first three months of sick leave among long-term sick-listed workers with depression and investigate their associations with SRTW. Methods Design Nationwide cohort study using linked data from Norwegian health and population registries. Study population: All inhabitants of Norway aged 20–64 from 1 January 2009 to 1 April 2011, who were diagnosed with depression in general practice, and had reached three months consecutive sick leave (n = 13 624, 63.7% women). Exposure: Depression care trajectories during the first three months of initial sick leave, identified using group-based multi-trajectory modeling. Types of depression care included were general practitioner (GP) consults, GP longer consults and/or talking therapy, antidepressant medication (MED), and specialized mental healthcare. Outcome: SRTW, measured by accumulated all-cause sickness absence days during two-year follow-up after initial sick leave, with cutoffs at 0, ≤ 30, and ≤ 90 days. Analysis: Gender stratified generalized linear models, used to investigate the associations between depression care trajectories and SRTW, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and sick leave duration. Results Four depression care trajectory groups were identified: “GP 12 weeks” (37.2%), “GP 2 weeks” (18.6%), “GP & MED 12 weeks” (40.0%), and “Specialist, GP & MED 12 weeks” (8.7%). The “GP 12 weeks” group (reference) had the highest proportion attaining SRTW for both genders. Men in the “GP 2 weeks” group had a 12–14% lower likelihood for SRTW compared to the reference. Women in the “Specialist,GP & MED 12 weeks 12 weeks” group had a 19- 23% lower likelihood for SRTW compared to the reference. Conclusion The association between depression care trajectories and SRTW varies by gender. However, trajectories involving follow-up by the GP, including both standard and longer consults and/or talking therapy over 12 weeks, showed the highest likelihood of SRTW for both genders. Enhancing GP resources could improve SRTW outcomes by allowing more frequent and longer consultations or talking therapy.

• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Hjørleifsson, Stefan; Anderssen, Norman; Bringedal, Berit; Ruths, Sabine & Hetlevik, Øystein (2024). Norwegian general practitioners’ perceptions of their depression care – a national survey. BMC Primary Care. 25(1). doi: 10.1186/s12875-024-02434-0. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The General Practitioner (GP) is often the first professional contact for patients with depression. Depression care constitutes a substantial part of GPs’ workload. Objective To assess how GPs experience their patients’ expectations and their own provision of depression care; further, how their depression care was associated with doctor- and practice-characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire study about depression care in general practice among the GPs in the Norwegian Physician Survey of 2021. Results Of the 221 responding GPs, 50% were female and 70% agreed to have constant time pressure due to workload. The GPs believed that patients with depression were interested in their professional assessment (87.2%) and saw them as providers of talking therapy (76,9%). Still, 77,8% of the GPs thought the patients expected a referral. Talking therapy was commonly provided (79.6%) along with consultations of more than 30 min (80.4%). The youngest age group and GPs with shorter patient lists spent more time. Most GPs (92.3%) considered their help to be of great benefit for depressed patients. However, one-fourth of the GPs did not feel competent in providing talking therapy, less frequently reported by the GPs aged 40–54 years. Conclusions Talking therapy is commonly provided by GPs. However, there is a need to investigate what GP talking therapy implies, and to strengthen GP skills in this regard. Overall, the GPs experience their depression care to be useful for their patients, and do not de-prioritize this although they experience workload pressure.

• oiu, Andreea Bogdana Isbă; Sava, Florin Alin; Larsen, Torill Marie Bogsnes; Anderssen, Norman; Rotaru, Tudor-Stefan & Rusu, Andrei [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). An Internet-Based Intervention to Increase the Ability of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People to Cope With Adverse Events: Single-Group Feasibility Study. JMIR Formative Research. 8. doi: 10.2196/56198. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people are at higher risk of mental health problems due to widespread hetero- and cisnormativity, including negative public attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to combating social exclusion at the societal level, strengthening the coping abilities of young LGBTQ+ people is an important goal. Objective: In this transdiagnostic feasibility study, we tested a 6-week internet intervention program designed to increase the ability of nonclinical LGBTQ+ participants to cope with adverse events in their daily lives. The program was based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles. Methods: The program consists of 6 web-based modules and low-intensity assistance for homework provided by a single care provider asynchronously. The design was a single-group assignment of 15 self-identified LGB community members who agreed to participate in an open trial with a single group (pre- and postintervention design). Results: Before starting the program, participants found the intervention credible and expressed high satisfaction at the end of the intervention. Treatment adherence, operationalized by the percentage of completed homework assignments (32/36, 88%) was also high. When we compared participants’ pre- and postintervention scores, we found a significant decrease in clinical symptoms of depression (Cohen d=0.44, 90% CI 0.09-0.80), social phobia (d=0.39, 90% CI 0.07-0.72), and posttraumatic stress disorder (d=0.30, 90% CI 0.04-0.55). There was also a significant improvement in the level of self-acceptance and behavioral effectiveness (d=0.64, 90% CI 0.28-0.99) and a significant decrease in the tendency to avoid negative internal experiences (d=0.38, 90% CI 0.09-0.66). The level of general anxiety disorder (P=.11; d=0.29, 90% CI –0.10 to 0.68) and alcohol consumption (P=.35; d=–0.06, 90% CI –0.31 to 0.19) were the only 2 outcomes for which the results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The proposed web-based acceptance and commitment therapy program, designed to help LGBTQ+ participants better manage emotional difficulties and become more resilient, represents a promising therapeutic tool. The program could be further tested with more participants to ensure its efficacy and effectiveness.

• Meling, Heidi Marie Kirkeng; Anderssen, Norman; Ruths, Sabine; Hjørleifsson, Stefan & Haukenes, Inger (2023). Stakeholder views on work participation for workers with depression and intersectoral collaboration in depression care: a focus group study with a salutogenic perspective. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 41(3), p. 204–213. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2238019. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: To explore how stakeholders in depression care view intersectoral collaboration and work participation for workers with depression. Design: Focus group study applying reflexive thematic analysis using a salutogenic perspective. Setting and subjects: We conducted seven focus group interviews in six different regions in Norway with 39 participants (28 women); three groups consisted of general practitioners (GPs), two of psychologists and psychiatrists and two of social welfare workers and employers (of which one group also included GPs). Results: Stakeholders considered work participation salutary for most workers with depression, given the right conditions (e.g. manageable work accommodations and accepting and inclusive workplaces). They also highlighted work as an integral source of meaningfulness to many workers with depression. Early collaborative efforts and encouraging sick-listed workers to stay connected to the workplace were considered important to avoid long and passive sickness absences. Furthermore, stakeholders’ views illuminated why intersectoral collaboration matters in depression care; individual stakeholders have limited information about a worker’s situation, but through collaboration and shared insight, especially in in-person collaborative meetings, they (and the worker) can gain a shared understanding of the situation, thereby enabling more optimal support. Ensuring adequate information flow for optimal and timely follow-up of workers was also emphasized. Conclusions: Stakeholders highlighted the salutary properties of work participation for workers with depression under the right conditions. Intersectoral collaboration could support these conditions by sharing insight and knowledge, building a shared understanding of the worker’s situation, assuring proper information flow, and ensuring early and timely follow-up of the worker.

• Stubberud, Elisabeth; Eggebø, Helga & Anderssen, Norman (2022). Skeive liv. Felles fortellinger på tvers av forskjeller. Lambda Nordica: Tidskrift om homosexualitet. ISSN 1100-2573. 26(4-1), p. 50–73. doi: 10.34041/ln.v26.763. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hva er det som trekkes frem som viktige hendelser når skeive skal fortelle om sine liv i Norge på 2010-tallet? I denne artikkelen analyserer vi frem fellesnevne- re på tvers av kvalitative intervjuer med 99 skeive personer med ulik bakgrunn og livssituasjon. Til tross for de mange ulikhetene mellom deltakerne var det noen overordnede tema som gikk igjen og fremstod som betydningsfulle på tvers av generasjoner og livssituasjoner: 1) Erfaringer med å føle seg annerledes, 2) nega- tive møter, 3) utforsking av identitet knytta til seksualitet og kjønn, 4) å komme ut som skeiv, 5) å komme inn i skeive fellesskap og 6) refleksjon rundt slektskap og familie. Disse viktige hendelsene kan være enkelthendelser i tid, samtidig som erfaringene repeteres gjennom livet både som hendelser og ved å fortelles frem som del av en skeiv livshistorie. På denne måten får hendelsene betydning ut over tiden og stedet de fant sted, og inngår i en situert skeiv selvfremstilling. Vi forstår de seks temaene som skeive metanarrativ som fremstår relevante når skeive skal fortelle om seg selv og sitt liv. I artikkelen bretter vi ut disse metanarrativene og noe av variasjonen i konkrete erfaringer som finnes i datamaterialet. Vi argumen- terer for at disse viktige hendelsene kan forstås som et tidsbilde som sier oss noe om hvordan vi gjør oss forståelige for hverandre som skeive på 2010-tallet.

• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Anderssen, Norman; Haukenes, Inger; Ruths, Sabine; Smith-Sivertsen, Tone & Hetlevik, Øystein [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Patient experiences with depression care in general practice: a qualitative questionnaire study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 40(2), p. 253–260. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2074069. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective To investigate patient experiences and preferences regarding depression care in general practice. Design and setting A qualitative study based on free-text responses in a web-based survey in 2017. Participants were recruited by open invitation on the web page of a Norwegian patient organization for mental health. The survey consisted of four open-ended questions concerning depression care provided by general practitioners (GPs), including positive and negative experiences, and suggestions for improvement. The responses were analysed by Template Analysis. Subjects 250 persons completed the web-based survey, 86% were women. Results The analysis revealed five themes: The informants appreciated help from their GP; they wanted to be met by the GP with a listening, accepting, understanding and respectful attitude; they wanted to be involved in decisions regarding their treatment, including antidepressants which they thought should not be prescribed without follow-up; when referred to secondary mental care they found it wrong to have to find and contact a caregiver themselves; and they thought sickness certification should be individualised to be helpful. Conclusions Patients in Norway appreciate the depression care they receive from their GP. It is important for patients to be involved in decision-making regarding their treatment. KEY POINTS Depression is common, and GPs are often patients’ first point of contact when they seek help.  • Patients who feel depressed appreciate help from their GP.  • Patients prefer an empathetic GP who listens attentively and acknowledges their problems.  • Individualised follow-up is essential when prescribing antidepressants, making a referral, or issuing a sickness absence certificate.

• Hollekim, Ragnhild & Anderssen, Norman (2021). Change and Stability in Public Beliefs About Same-Sex Family Rights in Norway in 2008, 2013, and 2017. Sexuality Research & Social Policy. ISSN 1868-9884. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1007/s13178-021-00548-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In Norway, legal measures securing equal marriage and parenting rights for same- and different-sex couples took effect on January 1, 2009. The aim of this study was to assess Norwegian public beliefs about lesbian and gay family rights in the period of 2008–2017. Methods Three nationwide surveys representing the adult Norwegian population were conducted with a time series design (data collected in 2008, 2013, and 2017, n = 1246, 1250, and 1250, respectively) utilizing Web-based questionnaires. Results Over the 9-year period, there was a decline in negative beliefs about lesbian and gay parenting and marriage rights and gradually less concern about children growing up with same-sex parents, more so for men than for women. Beliefs about equal parenting rights remained more negative than beliefs about equal marriage rights. At all points in time, concern for children’s welfare was the strongest predictor of beliefs about equal parenting rights for same- and different-sex couples, and for all points in time, being older contributed to the explained variance. Conclusions We discuss how the findings may relate to policy developments concerning LGBTI rights in Norway. LGBTI rights have gained increasingly significant symbolic value in the public domain, and we suggest that it is productive to reflect on findings in relation to new landscapes of political and public discourse in Norway and Europe. Social Policy Implications The results reveal contemporary supportive public opinion regarding LGBTI family rights, which currently gives lawmakers a foundation for further institutionalizing LGBTI rights in domains such as in schools at every level and in institutions offering family support and counseling. However, there is also a need for political awareness of emerging discourses linking questions on same-sex family rights to broader divisive sociopolitical processes.

• Anderssen, Norman; Sivertsen, Børge; Lønning, Kari Jussi & Malterud, Kirsti (2020). Life satisfaction and mental health among transgender students in Norway. BMC Public Health. 20. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8228-5. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Social attitudes to transgender persons and other gender minorities vary around the world, and in many cultures, prejudices and social stigma are common. Consequently, transgender persons face challenges related to discrimination and negative attitudes among the public. The purpose of this study was to compare life satisfaction, loneliness, mental health, and suicidal behavior among transgender students with cisgender students’ experiences in a nationwide sample of Norwegian students pursuing higher education. Methods In total,50,054 full-time Norwegian students completed an online questionnaire (response rate 30.8%), of whom 15,399 were cisgender males, 34,437 cisgender females, 28 individuals who reported being binary transgender (12 transwomen and 16 transmen), and 69 individuals non-binary transgender persons. The measures included questions concerning gender identity, life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale), loneliness (The Three-Item Loneliness Scale), mental health problems (Hopkins Symptoms Check List), mental disorders, and suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and self-harm. Chi-square tests, Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis tests, and logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences between gender identities. Results Transgender students reported significantly more psychosocial burdens on all measures. There were no significant differences in any of the measures between the binary and non-binary transgender students. Conclusion The findings call for increased awareness about welfare and health for transgender students in Norway. Higher education institutions need to consider measures at various levels to establish a learning environment that is more inclusive for gender minorities.

• Hafting, Marit; Gullbrå, Frøydis; Anderssen, Norman; Rørtveit, Guri; Smith-Sivertsen, Tone & Malterud, Kirsti (2019). Burdened parents sharing their concerns for their children with the doctor. The impact of trust in general practice: a qualitative study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 37(3), p. 327–334. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2019.1639907. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: The aim of this study was to recognise the preconditions experienced by general practitioners (GPs) in addressing the children’s needs when ill and substance abusing parents consult for their own health problems. Design: Qualitative analysis of 38 case stories told by GPs in focus group interviews. Setting: Focus group interviews of four continuing medical education groups for GPs in western Norway. Subjects: 27 GPs (nine females) with at least 5 years’ experiences in general practice. Results: Different aspects of the GPs’ perceived mandate of trust from the parents was a precondition for the children’s situation to be addressed. In some case stories the participants took an open mandate from the parent for granted, while in others they assumed that the parent did not want to discuss their family situation. Sometimes the participants had faith that by continuing with their ordinary GP tasks, they might obtain a more open mandate of trust. Their evaluation of the mandate of trust seemed to impact on how the GP could adopt a mediating role between the parents and various support agencies, thus supporting children who were at risk. Discussion/conclusion: The children most at risk may remain invisible in GPs’ encounters with their parents, possibly because their parent’s health problems and overall situation overshadow the children’s situation. The mandate of trust from burdened parents to GPs can be a fruitful concept in understanding the interaction regarding the welfare of the parent’s children. Negotiating the mandate of trust with parents by explicitly addressing trust and having an ongoing discussion about the mandate and its limits might be an option to secure the children support if necessary. KEY POINTS Offering children of burdened parents information and support can be crucial for health promotion and illness prevention. A general practitioner’s (GP’s) evaluation of the trust parents have in them can determine the extent of support children receive. Depending on the parents’ level of trust, GPs may take a mediating role between support services and parents for the benefit of the children. A negotiation concerning the trust parents have in the GP may open up possibilities for GPs to offer children necessary support.

• Dundas, Ingrid; Wormnes, Bjørn & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Perceived agency as a salient matter in learning self-hypnosis for exam anxiety. Journal of psychotherapy integration. ISSN 1053-0479. 29(4), p. 400–411. doi: 10.1037/int0000173. Full text in Research Archive
• Hafting, Marit; Gullbrå, Frøydis; Anderssen, Norman; Rørtveit, Guri; Smith-Sivertsen, Tone & Doesum, Karin van (2019). Overcoming clinician and parent ambivalence: General practitioners' support of children of parents with physical or mental illness and/or substance abuse. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 9(724), p. 1–11. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00724. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Children who are next of kin to parents with physical or mental illness and/or substance abuse need access to mental health support and several cost-effective interventions are available. Because most parents in the target group often consult general practitioners (GPs), GPs may have a crucial role in identifying burdened children and ensuring their follow-up. However, this important topic has received little attention in clinical discussions and research. In response to the knowledge gap, we conducted the research project Burdened Children as Next of Kin and the General Practitioner. Four sub-studies have been completed and published: a sub-study with qualitative analysis of focus group interviews with GPs (paper 1), a qualitative analysis of focus group interviews with adolescents as next of kin (paper 2), and a qualitative analysis of individual interviews with parents with illness and/or substance abuse (paper 3). The results from these sub-studies were incorporated in a survey sent to members of a nationwide GP organization (paper 4). The aim of the present sub-study was to gain further knowledge about conditions for the encounters between GPs and parents with impairments to be supportive for the children as next of kin. The material of the present sub-study derived from the project's four previous sub-studies and comprised a secondary analysis of the four prior sub-studies. We conducted an overarching thematic analysis of these sub-studies' results sections. We searched for statements from the GPs, the adolescents, and the parents on their experiences and evaluations of the needs of the children and their families, and the possible ways of accommodating these needs in general practice. The analysis shows that both GPs and parents were ambivalent about addressing the topic of the patients' children during consultations. This was the case although the GPs were in a good position to identify these vulnerable children, and the parents were worried about their children's situations. Possible strategies for GPs to overcome this ambivalence can be to (1) strengthen their competence in the topic, (2) gradually build trusting relationships with parents, and (3) gradually gain contextual knowledge about the families' situations. GPs can do this by performing ordinary GP tasks and acknowledging the parents' efforts to give their children good daily lives.

• Haugen, Lill Susann Ynnesdal; Haugland, Vegard; Envy, Andreas; Borg, Marit; Ekeland, Tor Johan & Anderssen, Norman (2018). Not talking about illness at meeting places in Norwegian community mental health care: A discourse analysis of silence concerning illness-talk. Health. ISSN 1363-4593. doi: 10.1177/1363459318785712. Full text in Research Archive
• Hafting, Marit; Anderssen, Norman; Gullbrå, Frøydis; Rørtveit, Guri & Smith-Sivertsen, Tone (2018). Fastleger i møte med barn som pårørende. Tidsskrift for velferdsforskning. ISSN 0809-2052. 21(3), p. 208–226. doi: 10.18261/issn.2464-3076-2018-03-02. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Lill Susann Ynnesdal; Envy, Andreas; Ekeland, Tor Johan; Borg, Marit & Anderssen, Norman (2018). A participatory discourse analysis of service users’ accounts of meeting places in Norwegian community mental health care. Nordic Journal of Social Research. 9, p. 13–30. doi: 10.7577/njsr.2149. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Since the 1960s, deinstitutionalisation has been salient in mental health reforms across the West. In Norway, this culminated in the National Action Plan for Mental Health (1999-2008), where meeting places in community mental health care were deemed a prioritised strategy to counter social isolation among people in psychosocial hardships. However, during the same period in England, meeting places were beginning to be contested for contributing to social exclusion. This is an inquiry of meeting places in Norway guided by the following research question: How do service users discuss their encounters with the spaces and people of meeting places? Situated in community psychology and participatory research traditions, we engaged in a participatory discourse analysis of four focus group discussions with 22 service users from meeting places. We detail and discuss four central discursive constructions of meeting places against the backdrop of a civil society identified as fraught with sanism that stigmatises and excludes service users: a compensatory public welfare arrangement positioning service users as citizens with social rights; a peer community positioning service users as peers who share common identities and interests; spaces of compassion validating service users as fellow human beings who are precious in their own right; and greenhouses facilitating service users to expand their horizons of possibility. This inquiry implies that meeting places could mean everything to the people who attend them by facilitating opportunities considered less accessible elsewhere in their everyday lives in a sanist civil society.

• Buer, Liliana; Anderssen, Norman; Malterud, Kirsti & Kvalem, Ingela Lundin (2017). Self-esteem Among Young Bisexual Women in Norway: A 13-year Longitudinal Study. Journal of Bisexuality. ISSN 1529-9716. 17(4), p. 487–507. doi: 10.1080/15299716.2017.1394245. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman & Malterud, Kirsti (2017). Oversampling as a methodological strategy for the study of self-reported health among lesbian, gay and bisexual populations. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. 45(6), p. 637–646. doi: 10.1177/1403494817717407. Full text in Research Archive
• Helle-Valle, Anna; Binder, Per-Einar; Anderssen, Norman & Stige, Brynjulf (2017). Is restlessness best understood as a process? Reflecting on four boys’ restlessness during music therapy in kindergarten. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2017.1298266. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Lill Susann Ynnesdal; Envy, Andreas; Borg, Marit; Ekeland, Tor-Johan & Anderssen, Norman (2016). Discourses of service user involvement in meeting places in Norwegian community mental health care: a discourse analysis of staff accounts. Disability & Society. ISSN 0968-7599. 31(2), p. 192–209. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2016.1139489. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In previous research, meeting places have been favourably addressed by service users, but they have also been contested as exclusionary. In this participatory explorative study, we sought to perform a contextual analysis of meeting places in Norway based on a discourse analysis of three focus group discussions with 15 staff members. We asked the following question: how do meeting-place employees discuss their concrete and abstract encounters with service users and their experiences? We focused on service user involvement, which was largely analysed as neoliberal consultation and responsibilisation. Service users were positioned as resisting responsibility trickling down and defending staffed meeting places. Social democratic discourse was identified in the gaps of neoliberal discourse, which is noteworthy given that Norway is a social democracy. This relates to global concerns about displacements of democracy. We suggest that meeting places appear to hold the potential for staff and service users to collaborate more democratically.

• Hollekim, Ragnhild; Anderssen, Norman & Daniel, Marguerite (2016). Contemporary discourses on children and parenting in Norway: Norwegian Child Welfare Services meets immigrant families. Children and Youth Services Review. ISSN 0190-7409. 60, p. 52–60. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.004. Full text in Research Archive
• Gullbrå, Frøydis; Smith-Sivertsen, Tone; Rørtveit, Guri; Anderssen, Norman & Hafting, Marit (2016). III and substance-abusing parents: how can the general practitioner help their children? A qualitative study. BMC Family Practice. 17:154, p. 1–9. doi: 10.1186/s12875-016-0553-5. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Severe illness among parents may interfere with their parenting. Children having ill or substanceabusing parents are at risk of own health problems and psychosocial difficulties. The health care system should identify families in need of help and provide the help needed. For ill parents, it can be difficult to seek help and advices for their parenting. The aim of this study was to identify important factors for the general practitioner (GP) to bear in mind during encounters with ill and substance-abusing parents, to enable the GP to provide appropriate support for the children. Method: A qualitative approach was chosen and the data material was semi-structured individual interviews with 12 parents with mental illness, substance abuse or severe somatic illness. The participants were recruited through GPs in Norway, and the interviews were performed in 2014. We used systematic text condensation for analysis. Results: It was important for the participants that the GP was oriented about their family and children’s situation. They wanted to be regarded as competent parents in ordinary families; however, they were aware that their illness affected their parenting. They expressed a need for advice about how to inform the children of their illness and talk to them about their challenges, and, if necessary, utilize helpers who could inform the children and talk to them directly. There were often many agencies involved, and it was important that the helpers cooperated and shared information. In addition, the parents were in need of information about support services. Conclusion: Ill parents in this study conveyed a double message to their helpers. They wanted to be considered as responsible and well-intended parents who wished the best for their children. At the same time they needed support in parenting. The GP should take the time to listen to the parents’ first spontaneous description about an ordinary daily life (while realising that it may not necessarily be an accurate report), then explore their worries and needs of support.

• Oanes, Camilla Jensen; Anderssen, Norman; Borg, Marit & Karlsson, Bengt Eirik (2015). How do therapists respond to client feedback? A critical review of the research literature. Scandinavian Psychologist. doi: 10.15714/scandpsychol.2.e17. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this paper, we aimed to review empirical studies on therapists’ experiences with feedback procedures, with a focus on the feedback conversation. A thematic analysis of the citations and descriptions in the identified empirical studies was conducted. Therapists’ experiences could be categorized into four themes: (1) adoption of a metaperspective on the therapeutic process and practice; (2) emergence of incentives to move beyond one’s personal and professional comfort zone; (3) greater awareness of children’s and adolescents’ perspectives during therapy; and (4) influence of structured feedback on collaboration with clients. The themes relate to therapy-specific issues as well as to overall theoretical issues. Given the widespread use of feedback procedures, surprisingly little research has been published on therapists’ experience with them. This review reveals a strong need to examine, both theoretically and empirically, the extra interactions that arise with the inclusion of a feedback procedure in therapy.

• Slåtten, Hilde; Anderssen, Norman & Hetland, Jørn (2015). Gay-related name-calling among Norwegian adolescents - harmful and harmless. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 56(6), p. 708–716. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12256. Full text in Research Archive
• Slåtten, Hilde; Hetland, Jørn & Anderssen, Norman (2015). Correlates of gay-related name-calling in schools. Psychology in the Schools. ISSN 0033-3085. 52(9), p. 845–859. doi: 10.1002/pits.21864. Full text in Research Archive
• Bjørnestad, Jone Ravndal; Kandal, Øyvind & Anderssen, Norman (2014). Vulnerable discipline: Experiences of male competitive bodybuilders. Journal of Health Psychology. ISSN 1359-1053. 19(9), p. 1174–1184. doi: 10.1177/1359105313485485. Full text in Research Archive
• Gullbrå, Frøydis; Smith-Sivertsen, Tone; Rørtveit, Guri; Anderssen, Norman & Hafting, Marit (2014). To give the invisible child priorityChildren as next of kin in general practice.A qualitative study among general practitioners. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 32(1), p. 17–23. doi: 10.3109/02813432.2014.874133. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective. To explore general practitioners’ (GPs’) experiences in helping children as next of kin of drug-addicted, mentally ill, or severely somatic ill adults. These children are at risk of long-term mental and somatic health problems. Design. Qualitative focus-group study. Setting. Focus-group interviews were conducted in western Norway with a total of 27 GPs. Participants were encouraged to share stories from clinical encounters with parents who had one of the above-mentioned problems and to discuss the GP's role in relation to helping the patients’ children. Results. The GPs brought up many examples of how they could aid children as next of kin, including identifying children at risk, counselling the parents, and taking part in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and social workers. They also experienced some barriers in fulfilling their potential. There were time constraints, the GPs had their main focus on the patient present in a consultation, and the child was often outside the attention of the doctors, or the GPs could be afraid of hurting or losing their vulnerable patients, thus avoiding bringing up the patients’ children as a subject for discussion. Conclusions. Norwegian GPs are in a good position to help children as next of kin and doctors make a great effort to support many of them. Still, support of these children by GPs often seems to depend not on careful consideration of what is best for the patient and the child in the long run, but more on short-term convenience reasons.

• Slåtten, Hilde; Anderssen, Norman & Hetland, Jørn (2014). Endorsement of male role norms and gay-related name-calling. Psychology of men & masulinity. ISSN 1524-9220. 15(3), p. 335–345. doi: 10.1037/a0033734. Full text in Research Archive
• Hollekim, Ragnhild; Anderssen, Norman & Andenæs, Agnes (2014). Images of Children in Views on Same-Sex Adoption Rights. Journal of GLBT Family Studies. ISSN 1550-428X. p. 1–19. doi: 10.1080/1550428X.2014.947462. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Gudrun & Anderssen, Norman (2014). Struggling for a normal life: Work as an individual self-care management strategy among persons living with non-malignant chronic pain. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. ISSN 1051-9815. 49(1), p. 123–132. doi: 10.3233/WOR-131642. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Gudrun & Anderssen, Norman (2014). Struggling for a normal life: work as an individual self-care management strategy among persons living with non-malignant chronic pain. Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness. ISSN 1752-9816. 49(1), p. 123–132. doi: 10.3233/WOR-131642. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman & Malterud, Kirsti (2013). Levekår blant lhb-personer. Litteraturgjennomgang. In Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (Ed.), Seksuell orientering og levekår. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970652. p. 25–47. Full text in Research Archive
• Nordmo, Ivar & Anderssen, Norman (2013). Deltakerbaner i psykologutdanningen - en femårs oppfølging av psykologistudenter. Uniped - Tidsskrift for universitets- og høgskolepedagogikk. ISSN 1500-4538. 36(2), p. 50–61. doi: 10.3402/uniped.v36i2.21514. Full text in Research Archive
• Christiansen, Øivin; Havnen, Karen J Skaale; Havik, Toril & Anderssen, Norman (2013). Cautious belonging: relationships in long-term foster-care. The British Journal of Social Work. ISSN 0045-3102. 43(4), p. 720–738. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcr198. Full text in Research Archive
• Hollekim, Ragnhild; Slåtten, Hilde & Anderssen, Norman (2012). A nationwide study of Norwegian beliefs about same-sex marriage and lesbian and gay parenthood. Sexuality Research & Social Policy. ISSN 1868-9884. 9(1), p. 15–30. doi: 10.1007/s13178-011-0049-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In Norway, a gender-neutral Marriage Law that secured equal marriage and parenting rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples took effect in January 2009. The aim of the current study was to explore Norwegian beliefs about equal marriage and parenting rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples and the welfare of children with lesbian and gay parents. A sample of 1,246 Norwegians participated in the study by filling out a questionnaire. The majority reported that they were supportive of equal marriage rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples, whilst there was less support for granting gay and lesbian couples equal right to become parents. The negative attitudes towards equal parenting rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples were explained mainly by concerns about the welfare of children growing up with gay and lesbian parents.

• Anderssen, Norman; Blix, Siw & Størdal, Tove (2012). IKT i helsefaglig utdanning og praksis. In Blix, Siw; Anderssen, Norman & Størdal, Tove (Ed.), Helse.digital. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202350208. p. 15–26. Full text in Research Archive
• Larsen, Bjørg Kitty Andora & Anderssen, Norman (2012). Sykepleiere med lese- og skrivevansker: tilrettelegging for god bruk av IKT og behov for åpenhet. In Blix, Siw; Anderssen, Norman & Størdal, Tove (Ed.), Helse.digital. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202350208. p. 269–285. Full text in Research Archive
• Christiansen, Øivin & Anderssen, Norman (2011). Fra bekymring til overbevisning: Barnevernets beslutninger om å plassere barn utenfor hjemmet. Tidsskriftet Norges Barnevern. ISSN 0800-1014. 88(4), p. 200–214. Full text in Research Archive
• Christiansen, Øivin; Havik, Toril & Anderssen, Norman (2010). Arranging stability for children in long-term out-of-home care. Children and Youth Services Review. ISSN 0190-7409. 32(7), p. 913–921. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.03.002. Full text in Research Archive
• Christiansen, Øivin & Anderssen, Norman (2010). From concerned to convinced: reaching decisions about out-of-home care in Norwegian Child Welfare Services. Child & Family Social Work. ISSN 1356-7500. 15(1), p. 31–40. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2009.00635.x. Full text in Research Archive
• Skorpen, Aina; Anderssen, Norman; Øye, Christine & Bjelland, Anne Karen (2009). Treatment regimes in a psychiatric hospital and apparent contradictions: Report from field work in a lock-up ward illustrated with a constructed case. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. ISSN 1445-8330. 18(6), p. 409–416. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00630.x. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Øye, Christine; Skorpen, Aina & Bjelland, ukjent-for-m048646 (2009). Treatment regimes in a psychiatric hospital and apparent contradictions: Report from field work in a lock-up ward illustrated with a constructed case. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. ISSN 1445-8330. 18(6), p. 409–416. Full text in Research Archive
• Kjønniksen, Lise; Anderssen, Norman & Wold, Bente (2009). Organized youth sport as a predictor of physical activity in adulthood. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 19(5), p. 646–654. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00850.x. Full text in Research Archive
• Øye, Christine; Skorpen, Aina; Anderssen, Norman & Bjelland, AK (2009). Raising adults as children? A report on milieu therapy in a psychiatric ward in Norway. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. ISSN 0161-2840. 30(3), p. 151–158. Full text in Research Archive
• Øye, Christine; Anderssen, Norman; Skorpen, Aina & Bjelland, A K (2009). Treatment regimes in a psychiatric hospital apparent contradictions? Report from field work in a locked-up ward illustrated with a constructed case. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. ISSN 1445-8330. 18(6), p. 408–416. Full text in Research Archive

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• Blix, Siw; Anderssen, Norman & Størdal, Tove (2012). Helse.digital. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202350208. 300 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Hjørleifsson, Stefan; Anderssen, Norman; Bringedal, Berit & Hetlevik, Øystein (2024). General Practitioners' experiences on depression care collaboration with psychiatrists and psychologists – a national survey. Full text in Research Archive
• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Hjørleifsson, Stefan; Anderssen, Norman; Ruths, Sabine; Bringedal, Berit & Hetlevik, Øystein (2023). Norwegian GPs’ perceptions of their depression care – a questionnaire study. Full text in Research Archive
• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Anderssen, Norman; Hetlevik, Øystein; Ruths, Sabine; Haukenes, Inger & Smith-Sivertsen, Tone [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Patient experiences with depression care in general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Grung, Ina Lill Skurtveit; Anderssen, Norman; Hetlevik, Øystein; Ruths, Sabine; Haukenes, Inger & Smith-Sivertsen, Tone [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Patient experiences with depression care in general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Hellesund, Tone; Engebretsen, Elisabeth L.; Gressgård, Randi & Hellum, Anne (2022). Skeiv forskning i Norge - hvordan ligger vi an? Full text in Research Archive
• Tahir, Sara; Anderssen, Norman; Carlsen, Benedicte; Hetlevik, Øystein & Hjørleifsson, Stefan (2022). The role of general practice in care for young adults with depression who fall out of education and employment. Full text in Research Archive
• Stubberud, Elisabeth; Eggebø, Helga & Anderssen, Norman (2021). Queer lives. Shared stories across differences. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Eggebø, Helga & Stubberud, Elisabeth (2021). Lansering av "Seksuell orientering, kjønnsmangfold og levekår". Full text in Research Archive
• Meling, Heidi Marie Kirkeng; Haukenes, Inger; Ruths, Sabine; Hjørleifsson, Stefan & Anderssen, Norman (2021). Promoting sustainable work participation for workers with depression through improved collaboration in depression care: a focus group study. Full text in Research Archive
• Stubberud, Elisabeth; Anderssen, Norman & Eggebø, Helga (2021). Arctic Pride & BUFDIR presenterer: Levekårsundersøkelsen for “seksuell orientering, kjønnsmangfold og levekår”. Full text in Research Archive
• Stubberud, Elisabeth; Anderssen, Norman & Eggebø, Helga (2021). Levekår blant skeive. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2021). Skeive livsløp. Full text in Research Archive
• Tahir, Sara; Hjørleifsson, Stefan; Carlsen, Benedicte; Anderssen, Norman & Hetlevik, Øystein (2021). General Practice and the marginalization of young adults with depression who fall out of education and employment: A case study. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2021). Seksuell orientering, kjønnsmangfold og levekår. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2020). Skeive livsløp. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2020). Skeive livsløp – en studie av levekår og sammensatte identiteter blant LGBTI-personer i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Skeive livsløp. En kvalitativ studie av levekår og sammensatte identiteter blant lhbtis-personer i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Ruths, Sabine; Baste, Valborg; Hetlevik, Øystein; Anderssen, Norman; Smith-Sivertsen, Tone & Hjørleifsson, Stefan [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2019). Time trends in GPs’ provision of depression care during 2008-2016. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Hvordan har du det? [Internet]. Blikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Fortsatt vanskelig for mange å komme ut. [Internet]. Gaysir. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman (2019). "Levekårsundersøkelse blant lhbti-personer 2020". Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Eggebø, Helga & Stubberud, Elisabeth (2019). Utfordringer ved å etablere representative utvalg av skeive. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Eggebø, Helga & Stubberud, Elisabeth (2019). Central lgbt-themes in the lives of lgbt persons: Preparing for a national survey about living conditions among lgbt persons in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Eggebø, Helga & Stubberud, Elisabeth (2019). Sentrale LHBTIS-tema i livene til LHBTIS-personer: Forberedelser til en nasjonal spørreundersøkelse om levekår blant LHBTIS-personer i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Stubberud, Elisabeth; Eggebø, Helga & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Levekårsforskning + skeiv teori = sant? Kvalitativ levekårsforskning blant lhbtis-personer i Norge i et livsløsperspektiv. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Vi tar utgangspunkt i forskningsrapporten Skeive livsløp. En kvalitativ studie av levekår og sammensatte identiteter blant lhbtis-personer i Norge, for å utforske spennet mellom skeiv teori og levekårsforskning, og bretter ut vårt eget forsøk på å forene disse to. Rapporten er skrevet på oppdrag fra Bufdir og er en kvalitativ forstudie for en ny, landsdekkende kvantitativ levekårsstudie blant lhbtis-personer. I denne presentasjonen vil vi diskutere hvordan vi valgte å operasjonalisere begrepet «livsfaser» i skeive liv. Begrepet ‘livsfaser’ kan ha ulike betydninger. Faser indikerer tid og rekkefølge. Én form for faser gjelder en kronologi i livet hvor en persons alder er bestemmende for hvilke erfaringer og opplevelser man forventes å ha. Her er det vanlig å tenke på livsfaser som barndom, ungdom, voksenperiode og alderdom, altså med utgangspunkt i kronologisk alder og reproduksjonssykluser. Queerteoretikeren Elizabeth Freeman (2010) har kalt dette krononormativitet, hvor man forstår livsfaser i henhold til én bestemt forståelse av tid. Krononormativitet beskriver en heteronormativ forståelse av livsløp, der reproduksjon strukturerer tidsfasene ved å markere overgangen til reproduktiv alder (ungdomstid), reproduksjonsfasen (voksen), alderdom (overgangen til ikke-reproduktiv alder). Med utgangspunkt i 99 intervjuer med skeive, mener vi å se at skeive liv kan kreve andre inndelinger av viktige livsfaser. Vi har i rapporten delt inn livsfaser etter viktige hendelser i skeive liv slik de er fortalt oss, som markerer et skifte fra en fase til en annen. I stedet for å ta utgangspunkt i reproduktive livsfaser, tar vi med oss noen av innsiktene fra skeiv teori (Freeman 2010; Halberstam 2005), samt ulike viktige erfaringer og hendelser som går igjen på tvers av deltagernes fortellinger. Det er med andre ord noe kvalitativt annet – eller i tillegg – som markerer viktige faser eller endringer i mange skeive personers liv, som ikke nødvendigvis lar seg organisere enkelt i aldersbestemte livsfaser. I presentasjonen redegjør vi for hvordan vi har løst dette, og inviterer til diskusjon omkring denne løsningen.

• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Kva kjenneteiknar skeive liv? [Internet]. Kilden kjønnsforskning. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman (2018). Bifil: Begge deler eller midt i mellom? Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman (2018). Innlegg ved "Skeiv minihøring for Venstres Stortingsgruppe". Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Eggebø, Helga & Stubberud, Elisabeth (2018). Challenges in establishing a representative sample of LGBTI-persons. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman & Svendsen, Per Kristian (2017). Ung og skeiv. In Klepp, Knut Inge & Aarø, Leif Edvard (Ed.), Ungdom, livsstil og helsefremmende arbeid. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205463981. p. 305–328. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Slåtten, Hilde & Malterud, Kirsti (2017). Norwegian attitudes towards LGBT-persons 2008-2013. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman (2017). Seksuelle orientering og identiteter: Holdninger, levekår, psykisk helse og DPS. Full text in Research Archive
• Malterud, Kirsti; Anderssen, Norman; Brurberg, Kjetil Gundro & Rørtveit, Guri (2015). Mortality rates for same-sex married individuals compared with opposite-sex married individuals: Potential analytical problems. International Journal of Epidemiology. ISSN 0300-5771. 44(1), p. 368–369. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyu243. Full text in Research Archive
• Hellesund, Tone & Anderssen, Norman (2013). Skeive historier. Et dokumentasjonsprosjekt om skeive liv. In Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (Ed.), Seksuell orientering og levekår. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970652. p. 177–187. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Malterud, Kirsti; Bjørkman, Mari; Slåtten, Hilde & Hellesund, Tone (2013). Seksuell orientering og levekår. In Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (Ed.), Seksuell orientering og levekår. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970652. p. 1–24. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Malterud, Kirsti & Slåtten, Hilde (2013). Levekår for lesbiske, homofile og bifile i Norge. In Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (Ed.), Seksuell orientering og levekår. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970652. p. 49–118. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman & Slåtten, Hilde (2013). Holdninger til lhbt-personer 2008-2013. In Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (Ed.), Seksuell orientering og levekår. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970652. p. 119–146. Full text in Research Archive
• Blix, Siw; Anderssen, Norman & Størdal, Tove (2012). Helse.digital. In Blix, Siw; Anderssen, Norman & Størdal, Tove (Ed.), Helse.digital. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202350208. p. 13–14. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugen, Lill Susann Ynnesdal & Anderssen, Norman (2012). Beyond ‘hallucinations’ – A discourse analysis of the voice-hearing of five Norwegian voice hearers. Full text in Research Archive
• Hollekim, Ragnhild & Anderssen, Norman (2011). Discourses on children's needs and interests in relation to same-sex adoption rights. Full text in Research Archive
• Hollekim, Ragnhild; Slåtten, Hilde & Anderssen, Norman (2011). Norwegian beliefs about the welfare of children growing up with lesbian and gay parents. Full text in Research Archive
• Slåtten, Hilde & Anderssen, Norman (2011). Self-reported reasons for gay-related name-calling among adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman & Slåtten, Hilde (2011). Essentialist beliefs about sexual categories (discreteness, immutability and universality) as predictors for attitudes towards lesbian woman and gay men. Full text in Research Archive
• Hollekim, Ragnhild & Anderssen, Norman (2010). Discourses on children and childhood in Norwegian views on same-sex adoption rights. Analytical strategies. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Holmelid, Øystein (2021). Seksuell orientering, kjønnsmangfold og levekår. Resultater fra spørreundersøkelsen 2020. Universitetet i Bergen. ISSN 9788291713717. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I denne rapporten presenterer vi funn fra en nasjonal spørreundersøkelse om levekår blant lesbiske kvinner, homofile menn, bifile kvinner, bifile menn og transpersoner (N=2059, hvorav 1045 lhb-personer og 232 transpersoner). Dette er første gang transpersoner er med i en slik spørreundersøkelse om levekår. Heterofile og cispersoner er også inkludert i undersøkelsen, og svarene fra lhbt-personene er sammenliknet med svarene fra heterofile og cispersoner. Hovedfunnene i undersøkelsen kan oppsummeres i tre punkt: 1) Transpersonene rapporterte om levekårsutfordringer og erfaringer med ulike former for diskriminering. Samtidig rapporterte de også om stolthet og støtte, og deltakelse i organisasjonsliv, skeive organisasjoner og vennenettverk. 2) Lesbiske kvinner og homofile menn rapporterte i stor grad om levekår på lik linje med heterofile kvinner og menn, men er noe mer utsatt for psykiske helseplager. Analysene viser små og få forskjeller mellom heterofile og lesbiske kvinner. Forskjellene mellom heterofile og homofile menn er også relativt små, men på flere punkt var det signifikant flere homofile menn enn heterofile menn som rapporterte om levekårsutfordringer. 3) Blant bifile menn og kvinner var det høyere andeler som rapporterte om levekårsutfordringer enn blant lesbiske kvinner og homofile menn og heterofile kvinner og menn. I 2013 ble levekårsutfordringer blant bifile kvinner trukket fram. I 2020-utvalget finner vi tydeligere levekårsutfordringer blant både bifile menn og kvinner.

• Langeland, Fredrik; Eggebø, Helga; Anderssen, Norman & Stubberud, Elisabeth (2021). Interkjønn og variasjon i kroppslig kjønnsutvikling - Refleksjoner om identitet, politikk og helsetilbud. Nordlandsforskning. ISSN 9788273218209. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rapporten utforsker interkjønn/variasjon i kroppslig kjønnsutvikling i Norge, med fokus på identitet, politikk og helsetilbud. Den bygger på kvalitative intervjuer med personer rekruttert via pasient- og skeive organisasjoner. Formålet er å belyse identiteter og levekårsutfordringer i et identitetspolitisk perspektiv, der gruppeidentitet danner grunnlaget for politisk mobilisering. Informantene vektlegger betydningen av informasjon, støttende nettverk og helsetjenester. Begrepet «interkjønn» oppfattes ulikt: som en negativ annerledeshet eller som en skeiv, normbrytende identitet. Til tross for uenigheter, ser mange potensialet i begrepet for å skape samhold. Feltet beskrives som oppdelt, men med et ønske om dialog. Rapporten peker på en konflikt mellom medisinsk og rettighetsbasert diskurs, særlig knyttet til helsehjelp og kirurgi. Felles negative erfaringer med helsevesenet understreker behovet for bedre helsetjenester og samarbeid på tvers av organisasjoner.

• Eggebø, Helga; Stubberud, Elisabeth & Anderssen, Norman (2019). Skeive livsløp. En kvalitativ studie av levekår og sammensatte identiteter blant lhbtis-personer i Norge. Nordlandsforskning. ISSN 9788273217660. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I denne rapporten utforsker vi hvordan det er å leve skeive liv i et samfunn hvor skeive har tilkjempet seg viktige formelle rettigheter og aksept blant majoriteten, men samtidig opplever utfordringer og belastninger knyttet til åpenhet, diskriminering og tilgang til likeverdige tjenester. Analysene er basert på dybdeintervjuer og fokusgruppeintervjuer med til sammen 99 personer mellom 16 og 87 år. Et særskilt trekk ved utvalget i denne studien er at flertallet av de skeive som er intervjuet, har innvandrerbakgrunn, samisk bakgrunn, nedsatt funksjonsevne, bakgrunn fra bygdesamfunn eller er eldre personer. Derfor er data fra denne undersøkelsen særlig egnet til å belyse sammensatte identiteter og hvordan ulike former for diskriminering og marginalisering samvirker. Formålet med denne rapporten er todelt: For det første utgjør rapporten en forberedelse til en ny landsdekkende representativ levekårsundersøkelse blant lhbtis-personer i Norge. For det andre søker vi å gi relevante beskrivelser av utfordringer og ressurser blant skeive i ulike livsfaser og med ulike bakgrunner. I så måte er rapporten et bidrag til forskningen om levekår og livsløp blant lhbtis-personer.

• Helle-Valle, Anna; Stige, Brynjulf; Binder, Per-Einar & Anderssen, Norman (2016). How do we understand children's restlessness? A cooperative and reflexive exploration of children's restlessness as a bioecological phenomenon. Universitetet i Bergen. ISSN 9788230832387. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This thesis is a reflexive and cooperative exploration of children’s restlessness as bioecological phenomenon. According to the ecological systems model, development can be understood as the result of interactions between the child’s biological qualities and qualities in the surrounding ecological systems. According to the ADHD diagnosis, children’s restlessness can be understood as a neurodevelopmental disorder that can be observed as biological, psychological and social symptoms and dysfunction. As a form of vitality, restlessness can be experienced and expressed as a certain combination of movement, time, force, space and intention/directionality. In this thesis, restlessness is defined as the label given to an experienced form of vitality that appears in the space between the described and the describer. This definition points to the importance of the observing adult, and binds the acting child and the observing adult together in mutual revelation. Possible biological mechanism that can give rise to children’s restlessness include maturation, different genetic susceptibility, and play behaviour. Possible psychological mechanisms include motivation, identity formation, and musical improvisation. Possible social mechanisms include cultural mothering ideals, socioeconomic status, and child maltreatment. An ecological systems model allows for the exploration of complex and multi-level relations between the person, the context and time. A community music therapy approach points to the importance of exploring the qualities involved in these ecological processes. Children’s restless behaviours have been understood and met in different ways within music therapy, partly depending on the context and on the music therapist/researcher. I critically reflect on what happens when children’s boundaries are violated, whether restlessness can be related to gender, on the relative lack of system focus, and on the implicit goals of music therapy. I also reflect on whether theoretical orientation is related to therapeutic action, where the restlessness comes from and whether it can be understood as inter-contextual tension. Paper 1 is a critical exploration of the position of the biopsychosocial model and ADHD in Norway. I argue that the different understandings discussed can be seen as pertaining to different levels of inquiry. These come with certain possibilities and limitations. Paper 2 presents ecologically valid understandings of children’s restlessness, that were created through cooperative inquiry with professionals and parents. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Children’s restlessness was understood as individual trait, expectations to be seen and heard, result of traumatisation, relational phenomenon, parent’s problems, lack of cooperation in the community, and as lack of structures and resources. Paper 3 is a case study of a collaborative community music therapy process with one boy and his friends. Their process is understood in terms of exploring musical vitality, consolidating positions, performing together and discovering ecological ripple effects. Children’s restlessness be understood as a bioecological phenomenon, where biological, psychological and social aspects are interrelated and co-constituting. Adding two ‘new’ levels to the ecological systems model can allow for a more precise integration of findings, and facilitate exploration of relations between findings that belong to different ecological levels. Children’s restlessness be also understood as results of interactions between process, person, context and time. Actions, vitality forms and development can be seen as taking place within a certain space of appearance. Action can be seen as inherently unpredictable, as conditioned by plurality, and as defined in relation to an already existing web of relations. Children’s restlessness can be understood on the premise that children and adults are participating subjects acting on each other. Different contexts offer different possibilities and limitations, and music therapy can be used to increase children’s possibilities for action. By regarding health as relational, function and development can be understood as relational and context-dependent. A relational approach to health can increase adults’ possibilities for action and understanding. It also points to adults’ responsibilities related to understanding children better and creating better contexts for children.

• Slåtten, Hilde & Anderssen, Norman (2016). Gay-related name-calling among young adolescents. Exploring the importance of the context. Universitetet i Bergen. ISSN 9788230833087. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderssen, Norman; Olaniyan, Oyeniyi Samuel & Malterud, Kirsti (2016). Kartlegging av levekår blant lesbiske, homofile, bifile og transpersoner. Et indikatorsett for ti års oppfølging. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Hollekim, Ragnhild & Anderssen, Norman (2016). Contemporary discourses on children and parenting in Norway. An empirical study based on two cases. Universitetet i Bergen. ISSN 9788230831755. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background and overall aim: This dissertation aims to explore beliefs and contemporary discourses about children and parenting in Norway. It discusses the possible consequences of these beliefs and discourses for children’s and parents’ positions and possibilities in society. Based on a social constructionist and discourse framework, this study uses two cases, namely the Norwegian same-sex adoption rights debate and the Norwegian Child Welfare Services (NCWS) meeting with immigrant families. The rationale for this choice was that the study of how phenomena such as children and parenting are argued and conceptualized in settings that are different or outside of main-stream in particular contexts can illuminate current perceptions of these phenomena in the wider society. In an increasingly globalized world with rapid social changes, the meanings of children and parenting, in various contexts, are continuously negotiated and re-negotiated. Thus, there is a need for more knowledge about how we currently understand children and parenting, on-going processes in relation to developments in this understanding, and what this may mean and imply for children and parents in contemporary Norway. Research questions and methods: The following research questions were phrased to illuminate the overall aim: (1) What are Norwegian beliefs about equal marriage and parenting rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples and the welfare of children growing up with lesbian and gay parents? (Paper I). The analyses were based on quantitative data from a web-based nationwide survey (n=1246) carried out in April-May 2008, (2) What images of children can be located in popular views on same-sex adoption rights? (Paper II). The analyses were based on responses to an open-ended question in the same data-set. A discourse analytic approach was chosen to explore images of children when respondents in their own words reflected on provisions for same-sex adopting rights in the New Norwegian Marriage Act; (3) What prevailing discourses on children and parenting can be located in newspaper texts that reflect on and problematize NCWS’ interaction with and intervention in immigrant families? (Paper III). The analyses were based on a body of newspaper texts (80) collected in the period 1 January 2011 – 30 April 2013. The texts featured a debated and often contested meeting between NCWS and immigrant parents. The same discourse analytic approach as for paper II was followed. Research question 4: The possible impact on children and parents of subject positions made available by these discourses was discussed based on the empirical findings from paper II and III. Empirical findings: Paper I: Slightly less than half the sample supported provisions for equal parenting rights in the New Norwegian Marriage Act. Among those not expressing such support, more respondents were unwilling to take a stand or uncertain as opposed to being against such provisions. Negative beliefs about equal parenting rights for same-sex and heterosexual couples were at large, explained by concerns about the welfare of children growing up in lesbian and gay families. In particular, there was a concern for possible bullying and stigmatization of such children. Paper II: Four concurrent discourses were identified: (1) children need to grow up in ordinary families; (2) children need dedicated parenting; (3) children are subjects of own individual rights, and (4) the best interest of the child is paramount. Discourse 4 seemingly had a superior standing, tentatively positioning children with a superior moral and abstract status. Paper III: Four interrelated and concurrent discourses on children and parenting were located: (1) no tolerance for parenting practices involving violence and force; (2) every child is subject of individual - and equal – rights; (3) good parenting is child-focused and dialogue based, and (4) Norwegian child welfare services – authoritative but also contested in family matters. These discourses as it seems, position children and parents in two main ways, children as pivots, and parents as guarantors for children developing proper skills, respectively. Discussion and conclusions: 1) Concerning children, understandings in all three papers were, as it seems, informed by a rights discourse, positioning children with individual rights and as citizens entitled to enjoy fundamental welfare state ideals such as for example humanitarianism, autonomy and justice. There is a need for vigilance concerning children’s position as subject of own individual rights. Watering down this position, may imply less power for children in relation to adults and revived notions of children as mainly appendages to the family. Furthermore, in all three papers understandings concerning children were at the same time informed by a risk discourse, positioning children as vulnerable, in need of adult protection, and typically, pushing notions of a sentimentalized child. Sentimentalizing children will imply poorer ability to realize the various contexts in which many children live and the actual challenges that they experience following various life circumstances. Consequently, there is a risk that society will not act, or focus on aspects that may not be helpful for children in their real-life situation. Importantly, both a rights discourse and a risk discourse, through a pre-occupation with safe-guarding and protecting children, feed into a broader discourse of control, and the need to supervise children, also in the family context. 2) Concerning parenting, findings indicated understandings informed by children as individuals, a need for extensive parental dedication, notions that emotional and relational aspects between children and parents were of particular importance, and the need for parents to acquire certain skills in order to appear child-centered, seemingly a premise for appearing competent. In the same-sex parenting debate it was for example typically argued that samesex parents perhaps even more so than other parents, affiliate with this thinking and the importance of such skills. In the case of NCWS meeting with immigrant families, findings showed extensive societal interest in assisting and securing these same values, through good information, but not the least through parent education, training and societal supervision. Processes that standardize and homogenize parenting easily position parents, who may have other experiences and therefore may think different about parenthood, as less valued or deficient. This may also increase feelings of being deviant or “outside” for groups of parents - and counter-act inclusion. Such processes will in general complicate the establishment of productive societal dialogues in this field, and perhaps in particular when meeting with various Norwegian welfare society institutions, where a good dialogue often is considered to be vital for adapted and sustainable help for children and families. Concerning the meeting with NCWS, lack of trust and poor dialogues may typically compel unproductive countermoves and withdrawal strategies from the involved parents. Some groups of children may thereby have less access to timely, necessary and adapted measures and interventions and consequently, enjoy less societal protection than other groups of children.

• Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (2014). Helse blant lesbiske og bifile kvinner i Norge. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970836. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Prosjektet «Helse blant lesbiske og bifile kvinner i Norge» er gjennomført på oppdrag fra Barne-, ungdoms- og familiedirektoratet. Tidligere studier har rettet oppmerksomheten mot fysisk og psykisk helse, sykdomsrisiko og helsetjenestebruk blant lesbiske kvinner, men det kan være vanskelig å tolke resultatene. Mange studier har metodeproblemer som svekker overførbarheten. Ofte er resultater fra lesbiske og bifile kvinner slått sammen med resultater fra homofile og bifile menn. Helseforhold blant bifile kvinner er særlig dårlig belyst. Som del av prosjektet «Seksuell orientering og levekår» gjennomførte vi i 2013 en nasjonal spørreundersøkelse om levekår og helse blant lesbiske og bifile kvinner og homofile og bifile menn (LHB-personer). Konklusjonen var blant annet at det var større likheter enn forskjeller mellom lesbiske og bifile kvinner sammenliknet med heterofile kvinner. Samtidig fant vi tegn på utsatthet blant lesbiske og bifile kvinner. Et mindretall viste tegn til marginalisering i form av større psykisk symptombelastning, lavere livstilfredshet, flere negative erfaringer på arbeidsplass og studiested og mindre åpenhet om sin seksuelle orientering. I denne rapporten skulle vi kartlegge relevante forskjeller i helse mellom lesbiske og bifile kvinner sammenliknet med heterofile kvinner i Norge. Vi skulle også prøve å identifisere undergrupper som er særlig utsatt. Til slutt skulle vi presentere forslag til tiltak som kan bidra til bedre helse blant lesbiske og bifile kvinner i Norge. Dette har vi gjort ved å gjennomgå og oppsummere forskningslitteraturen nasjonalt og internasjonalt om helse blant lesbiske og bifile kvinner, identifisere tema som fortjener nærmere utforsking med utgangpunkt i data fra norske forhold og sammenfatte og gjennomføre videre analyse av relevante helsedata fra levekårsundersøkelsen i 2013 for følgende tema: - åpenhet og forhold til egen seksuell orientering - generell helse og funksjonsnivå - psykisk helse og selvmordsatferd - seksuelt overførbare infeksjoner - helsevaner - forebyggende masseundersøkelser mot kreft - erfaringer med bruk av helsetjenester I tillegg har vi gjennomført en ny kvalitativ studie om årsaker til dårlig oppslutning om forebyggende masseundersøkelse mot livmorhalskreft blant lesbiske kvinner i Norge. Spørreundersøkelsen om levekår omfattet blant annet helsedata fra 197 lesbiske kvinner, 405 bifile kvinner og 979 heterofile kvinner. Vi innhentet informasjon fra alle tre gruppene i samme undersøkelse med samme spørsmål på samme tidspunkt for å kunne sammenlikne helse blant lesbiske, bifile og heterofile kvinner i Norge. For å etablere mest mulig representative nasjonale befolkningsutvalg tok vi utgangspunkt i allerede etablerte webpaneler, utviklet med sikte på å representere hele den norske befolkningen. Rekrutteringen fra web-panelene skjedde lenge nok til at vi fikk tilstrekkelig store LHB-grupper for relevante sammenlikninger («over-sampling» av LHB-personer). Spørreskjemaet omfattet spørsmål om sosialt nettverk, trivsel, arbeidsliv og studier, fritid og organisasjonsliv, vold og forhold til egen seksuell orientering i tillegg til helse.

• Malterud, Kirsti & Anderssen, Norman (2013). Seksuell orientering og levekår. NORCE Research AS. ISSN 9788292970652. Full text in Research Archive
• Slåtten, Hilde; Holsen, Ingrid; Anderssen, Norman & Jensen, Daniel (2012). Erfaringar med tiltak for førebygging og handtering av homo- og horerelaterte kallenamn i ungdomsskulen. Universitetet i Bergen. ISSN 9788276691306. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rapporten byrjar med å gje ei oversikt over eksisterande kunnskap på områda relatert til bruken av homo- og horerelaterte skjellsord. Denne delen inkluderer blant anna studiar som ser på førekomstar, konsekvensar og moglege årsaker til at ungdom brukar denne type skjellsord. Målet med intervensjonsstudien var å evaluere lærarane og rektorane sine erfaringar med tiltaka frå lærarrettleiinga: ”Nei til ”Homo!” og ”Hore!” i ungdomsskulen” (Slåtten, Anderssen & Holsen, 2009). Tiltaka som vart evaluerte i den føreliggjande rapporten hadde følgjande målsettingar: - At lærarane stiller seg positive til å etablere ein policy om nulltoleranse mot bruken av homo- og horerelaterte kallenamn, samt retningslinjer for korleis lærarane skal handtere bruken av desse typane skjellsord. - At lærarane skal rapportere at dei har betre kompetanse i å slå ned på bruken av homo- og horerelaterte kallenamn, samt at dei kjenner seg betre i stand til å forklare elevane kvifor denne type språkbruk er uakseptabel. - At lærarane i klassen skal ta opp tema som kjønnsrelatert mobbing, homofobisk erting, seksuell trakassering, bruken av homo- og horerelaterte kallenamn, samt konsekvensane av å kalle nokon disse kallenamna. - At lærarane grip inn kvar gong dei høyrer ein elev kalle ein annen elev homo- eller horerelatert kallenamn. Totalt 17 ungdomsskular frå Hordaland, Oslo og Akershus sa ja til å delta i intervensjonsstudien. Lærarane frå intervensjonsskulane vart presentert for ei lærarrettleiing om førebygging og handtering av homo- og horerelaterte skjellsord, og vart vidare oppfordra til å implementere tiltaka dei vart introduserte for ved dei enkelte skulane. Seks av skulane vart trekte til å vere med i kontrollgruppa og vart såleis ikkje presenterte for lærarrettleiinga. Me ba lærarane om å fylle ut eit spørjeskjema i forkant og fire månadar etter at lærarrettleiinga blei presentert. Representantar frå Skeiv Ungdom Bergen og Skeiv Ungdom Oslo /Akershus presenterte lærarrettleiinga. Dei hadde i forkant fått opplæring i å presentere tiltaka. Totalt 283 lærarar deltok i grunnlagsmålinga, medan 114 lærarar deltok i både grunnlagsmålinga og oppfølgjarundersøkinga. Resultat: - Lærarane som var til stades då lærarrettleiinga vart presentert, greip oftare inn når dei høyrde elevar bruke nokre typar homorelaterte, (men ikkje horerelaterte) skjellsord, og fleire lærarar tok opp konsekvensane av å kalle nokon homorelaterte skjellsord etter å ha delteke i intervensjonen. - Intervensjonen førte ikkje til at lærarane syntest dei hadde fått auka kompetanse kring tematikken som vart teke opp i intervensjonen. - Blant lærarane som deltok i intervensjonen, var det ein større del som rapporterte at skulen deira har ein policy om nulltoleranse mot homo- og horerelaterte skjellsord. For å kartleggje i kva grad rektorane hadde implementert tiltaka på skulenivå, og deira erfaringar med tiltaka, vart rektorane ved intervensjonsskulane spurte om å delta i eit telefonintervju. Åtte av dei ti rektorane frå intervensjonsskulane takka ja til å delta. Resultat: - Rektorane hadde i liten grad implementert tiltaket som handlar om å innføre nulltoleranse mot bruken av homo- og horerelaterte skjellsord, og inkludere dette i skulen sin handlingsplan mot mobbing. - Majoriteten av rektorane meinte at det generelle mobbearbeidet var tilstrekkeleg i arbeidet for å førebygge og handtere homo- og horerelaterte skjellsord, og at det ikkje var naudsynt med eigne tiltak som handla spesifikt om homo- og horerelaterte skjellsord. På bakgrunn av denne evalueringa vil me anbefale at ungdomsskular bruker tiltaka for førebygging og handtering av homo- og horerelaterte kallenamn saman med eit allereie etablert anti-mobbeprogram. Vidare vil me anbefale at utviklarar av anti-mobbeprogram inkluderar førebygging og handtering av homo- og horerelaterte kallenamn som ein del av deira anti-mobbe strategi.

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