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To repeat or not to repeat

Research indicates that it is challenging to break the cycle of passing down trauma, abuse, and neglect from one generation to the next, even with the most well-known international treatment programs. That's why we have created a support program for pregnant women and parents of newborns who need help in giving their children a different experience than what they went through themselves.

About the trial

The purpose of the study is to increase knowledge about a) how intergenerational patterns related to significant childhood adversities are established, developed, and influenced by treatment provided during pregnancy and infancy; b) increased understanding of experiences with the treatment program from both the patient's and the practitioners' perspectives.

Twelve pregnant women referred between weeks 20-40 of pregnancy with multiple childhood adversities and six practitioners with clinical experience with this patient group are included. Patients are assessed at the start of treatment and when the child is 4 months old. An infant observation is conducted when the child is 2-8 weeks old, and a interactional observation is conducted at 4 months. Patients and practitioners are interviewed about their experiences with the treatment. The findings from the study will inform treatment for a high-risk group and provide valuable knowledge about intergenerational transmission and how it can potentially be interrupted.

Read about the trial

Project page in Cristin (Current research information system in Norway)

Information about participation

Recruitment is over

Who can participate?

All pregnant women referred to the infant and toddler team at BUP Øvre Romerike will be invited to participate in the project if they have experienced multiple adversities in their upbringing.

To be referred to the team, you can contact your general practitioner, midwife, psychologist in the municipality, or the Ahus team.

In order for you to be considered as a participant in a clinical trial, your attending physician must usually send a request to the hospital responsible. You must also fit in with the criteria that the researchers have set to select patients for their studies.

What does the trial entail?

We will gather information in various ways and from multiple sources.

  • Interview practitioners in the infant and toddler team about their experiences
  • Collect data from the patients upon admission, 4-8 weeks after birth, and at 4 months after birth. This will involve interviews, observations, and conversations conducted as part of the regular treatment process.

Contact

  • Marianne Aalberg (project leader)
  • Anne Werner
  • Heidi Fjeldheim

Collaboration partners

Cooperation with

  • Akershus universitetssykehus

About clinical trials