Theaim ofthe present project is to examine developmental pathways ofmentalhealth problems among children included inthe Bergen Child Study (BCS) (www.uib.no/bib).
Inthe first step, all children attending 2. to 4. grade inthe Bergen and Sund munici palities in Norway in 2002 (n=9652) were included inthe first wave ofthestudy. All parents and teachers were asked to fill ina questionnaire, and 97 % ofthe teachers and 74% ofthe parents participated. Parents of children scoring above cut-off on pr e-determined criteria (screen-positives) and a random sample of screen negatives participated ina structured psychiatric interview (DAWBA). 1080 parents were interviewed, with an attrition rate from Step 1 ofabout 50%. 139 fulfilled the criteriaofa di agnosis. 122 ofthese children and a random sample of children without a diagnosis (299) were invited into a case-control studyin Step 3. 329 parents and children were assessed according to a semi-structured clinical interview (KiddieSads-PL). The childr en were also assessed on a range of cognitive and motor tests, they gave a self evaluation oftheir own competence and went through a short physical evaluation.
We apply for support to perform follow-up studies ofthe BCS children. The main follow-up s tudy will include the same population as included in Step 1, i.e. all children attending 5. to 7. grade in 2005/2006 (Wawe 2). This will make it possible to study developmental pathways ofmentalhealth problems ina whole population of children, and more specific problems related to the psychological impactof puberty. Furthermore, it will give the oportunity to detect new problems associated with puberty. A second group of studies will include selected, well characterised groups ofchildren: 1) children with an autism spectrum disorder; 2) children with behavioural problems; and 3) children with chronic illness