Denna kvalitativa studie undersöker hur individers möjlighet att få stöd av Plattform Malmö för att lyckas lämna ett kriminellt nätverk ser ut. Detta uppnås genom att undersöka hur samarbetet fungerar mellan polis och kommunens avhopparverksamhet samt att vidare undersöka hur arbetet med avhoppare fungerar på Plattform Malmö. Studien genomfördes med semistrukturerade intervjuer som analyserades tematiskt. Urvalet bestod av tre deltagare och tre intervjuer har utförts med Konsultationsteamet, sociala insatsgrupper och polisen. Resultatet visade att samarbetet mellan polis och avhopparverksamhet är väletablerat, men det innebär även utmaningar att få ett bestående arbete med de olika arbetssätten. Plattform Malmös arbete med avhoppare innebär en svår process som kräver ett samspel mellan parterna. Det gäller att ställa tydliga krav men samtidigt inte vara för hårda mot individerna. Individerna kan få flera stödinsatser för att lämna ett kriminellt nätverk. Insatserna tillsätts efter individens behov och får hjälp att jobba med både fysiska och inre förändringar. Sammanfattningsvis visar resultatet att Konsultationsteamet och sociala insatsgrupper arbetar med samordnade och hållbara metoder. Individen har en omfattande möjlighet att få stöd av Plattform Malmö för att lyckas lämna ett kriminellt nätverk, däremot måste individen själv kunna tillgodose insatserna. 

School attacks are a phenomenon that has received increasing attention since the school massacre in 1999 at Columbine High in Colorado, USA. The incident created a subculture around school attacks that in recent years has spread to various countries in Europe, where the most recent attack in Sweden was carried out at the high school Malmö Latinskola in 2022. Teachers have a responsibility to notice students with warning signs and adress them with appropriate measures. The study aims to investigate teachers' knowledge of school attacks, and what resources and measures they are aware of concerning school attacks. Through teachers´ insights, the study also aims to identify opportunities for improving schools’ practices to prevent and handle school attacks. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers from different primary and secondary level schools in Skåne county. Thereafter, a thematic analysis of the material was carried out. The results highlight teachers' lack of knowledge of the phenomenon and how school attacks affect their sense of security in the workplace. All participants emphasize a good relationship between teacher and student as their most important preventive measure, and in addition to that, feeling support from managers and colleagues was the most important thing to feel safe in the workplace. The results also showed that the teachers thought that physical security measures are important to increase the school's preparedness. Finally, four proposals are recommended based on the analysis and background information on the subject. These measures include training teachers in making threat assessments, strengthening cooperation, introducing anti-bullying programs, creating communication channels for staff at the school and starting lock-down exercises with staff.

Background: Home oxygen therapy (HOT) improves survival in patients with hypoxaemic chronic respiratory disease. Most patients evaluated for HOT are former or active smokers. Oxygen accelerates combustion and smoking may increase the risk of burn injuries and fire hazards; therefore, it is considered a contraindication for HOT in many countries. However, there is variability in the practices and policies regarding this matter. This multidisciplinary Swedish taskforce aimed to review the potential benefits and risks of smoking in relation to HOT, including medical, practical, legal and ethical considerations.

Methods: The taskforce of the Swedish Respiratory Society comprises 15 members across respiratory medicine, nursing, medical law and ethics. HOT effectiveness and adverse risks related to smoking, as well as practical, legal and ethical considerations, were reviewed, resulting in five general questions and four PICO (population–intervention–comparator–outcome) questions. The strength of each recommendation was rated according to the GRADE (grading of recommendation assessment, development and evaluation) methodology.

Results: General questions about the practical, legal and ethical aspects of HOT were discussed and summarised in the document. The PICO questions resulted in recommendations about assessment, management and follow-up of smoking when considering HOT, if HOT should be offered to people that meet the eligibility criteria but who continue to smoke, if a specific length of time of smoking cessation should be considered before assessing eligibility for HOT, and identification of areas for further research.

Conclusions: Multiple factors need to be considered in the benefit/risk evaluation of HOT in active smokers. A systematic approach is suggested to guide healthcare professionals in evaluating HOT in relation to smoking.

Violent video games have been questioned in its influence toward violence and aggressivebehavior in nowadays especially with adolescents and young adults which usually spend theirtime playing games more than other activity. The aim of this research is to find a correlationbetween violent video games exposure, aggressive behavior and self-control in an individual toanswer the question that “Is playing violent video games can lead a person to be more violence,aggressive and lack of self-control more than it should be?” The research will be studied with351 people in the Thailand Gamer Community. An aggressive behavior and impulsive behaviorwill be look into by self-questionnaire: Buss – Perry aggression questionnaire: BPAQ – ShortForm to measure aggressive behavior, the short version of the Self-Control Scale to measure animpulsive behavior and for a violent video games exposure, it will be measured by the time thatparticipants playing video games and how violent it exposure to violent video games andaggressive behavior but the results only show a slightly correlation between these two variables.Nevertheless, the results show no correlation between violent video games exposure andimpulsive behavior. 

Violence risk assessment has evolved from subjective methods to structured approaches, integrating professional expertise with empirical evidence. Studies reveal varied predictive validity of tools like the HCR-20, highlighting the influence of assessors and context. Balancing predictive accuracy with broader contextual factors is essential for enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of these assessments in clinical practice. The study aims to explore assessors'experiences and perceptions using violence risk assessment tools to address the risk of violent behavior. It seeks to unveil insights into the practical application of these assessment tools and grasp assessors' real-life experiences with the tools' applicability in preventing violent behavior within a Danish forensic setting.This research employed a qualitative methodology, collecting data via semistructured interviews and analyzing it using thematic analysis. The results showed a strong correlation between prediction and prevention in practice, making the prediction of violence alone difficult. Assessors noted discrepancies between assessments and behaviors, suggesting integrating clinical judgment and protective factors with tools like HCR-20 to ensure it phantoms complex factors such as individuality. The study advocates using these tools as part of comprehensive prevention strategies. It emphasizes the urgent need for ongoing evaluation and tailored interventions with individual factors in mind to mitigate violence risks. Insights call for further research to improve clinical and forensic practices.

The phenomena of organized crime is one of  the highest priority security challenges for Sweden, the EU, and the UN. The majority of shootings with an outcome of death in Sweden involve illegal weapons. Despite Sweden's strict gun laws, there is an increasing trend in arms trafficking, which has also been observed as a problem at a European level. Criminal networks conduct arms trafficking across international borders, where social relationships are crucial for maintaining organized activities. To prevent arms trafficking, it is therefore essential to map criminal networks and how relationships, as well as structures  contribute to the distribution of information and goods. This can be achieved through social network analysis. The current level of knowledge regarding arms trafficking networks is challenging to overview, and there are few systematic literature reviews that include firearm trafficking with applied social network analysis as a method. Therefore, this study aims, through a qualitative systematic literature review of quantitative data, to provide an extensive understanding of the dynamics and structure of arms trafficking, which can further be used to support future research. The systematic literature review includes eleven scientific articles that have applied social network analysis as a method to the phenomena arms trafficking. The results show that the networks are dynamic and that their structure is determined by various combinations of patterns and actors. Four different forms of structure have been identified within the networks. Knowledge of the different structures of these networks can further contribute to identifying central vulnerabilities, which can be used in targeted interventions on key actors or clusters within the network concerning illegal weapons inflows. 

Abstract

Purpose: The study aims to establish a summary of the main characteristics of gender, age, types of crimes and previous criminal records of the offenders sentenced to forensic-psychiatric care in the time period 1995 to 2018 in Sweden and to compare them with offenders sentenced to imprisonment for the same types of crime types in the same time period in Sweden as well as to link different types of crimes to mental illness. Furthermore, the study attempts to find correlations between the group sentenced to forensic-psychiatric care and different types of crimes.

Method: Using official statistical data from BRÅ, serious crimes, age, gender and criminal records for all individuals sentenced to forensic-psychiatric care during 1995 to 2018 are described together. This group was compared to all individuals which were convicted to prison in the same period. Furthermore, correlations between types of crimes and the group of individuals sentenced to forensic-psychiatric care were examined in order to find any statistical difference between the two groups.

Result: A few differences between the groups were found. The individuals in the forensic-psychiatric care group did not differentiate much in age, and also had similar criminal records, unlike the prison- group. Additionally, a meaningfully higher amount of women was prevalent in the forensic psychiatric care-group compared to the prison-group. A small correlation between individuals sentenced to forensic psychiatric treatment and arson were confirmed as well as stronger correlations with offenders sentenced to FPT and crimes of theft, vehicle theft, arson and homicide were found.

Conclusion: These findings provide data for future research as well as potential support for courts to identify more suitable treatment for offenders with a mental illness. Additionally, the findings in this paper presents the health care system and social services with opportunities to analyse and prevent trajectories into more serious offending in particular regards to individuals who are young and/or have a mental disorder.

Urban issues such as poverty or marginality and disadvantage, unrest, crime, housing, segregation and social cohesion are on the political and academic agenda in Europe and in the US (Andersen, 2002; Atkinson, 2019; Galster, 1990; Gerell & Kronkvist, 2017; Mayer, Thörn, & Thörn, 2016; Uslaner, 2012; Wacquant, 2008). As indicated, policymakers devise strategies to address such problems (Andersson, Wimark, & Malmberg, 2020; Damm, Nielsen, Mattana, & Rouland, 2020; Davis, 2019; George & Patrick, 2017; van Gent et al., 2018; van Gent & Musterd, 2013). This also holds true for Norway (e.g. Andersen & Brattbakk, 2020).

In Norway, the Government or a specific ministry may appoint a committee to report on an issue of relevance. The results are published as an Official Norwegian Report – Norges offentlige utredninger (NOU) in Norwegian. While it can be argued that urban issues are not a political priority in Norway, the current conservative Government – led by prime minister Erna Solberg – did appoint a committee to examine living conditions in Norwegian cities. The Norwegian Commission for City and Living Conditions presented its NOU on 16 December 2020 (NOU 2020:16). The report is important as it summarizes the latest knowledge on the topic and provides recommendations for future Norwegian urban policies. Hence, it is worth a thorough and critical review.

Hate crime has emerged as a new ‘crime problem’ in Denmark, which has led to legislative adjustments and requirements of the police to improve identification, registration and handling of hate crime. International research shows that the investigation of hate crime is a complex issue not least because hate crime is legally not a crime category but an aggravating circumstance in principle to any crime. There exist no studies of hate crime policing in Denmark, and this study aims to fill a knowledge gap by a qualitative exploration of the processing of hate crime in the criminal justice system in a Danish context and from the perspective of the police, which is a relatively overlooked perspective. Specifically, the study explores why many hate crimes are filtered out through the criminal justice system, and through a thematic analysis the study identifies a number of challenges on a legal, organizational and practise level, that all contributes to a filtering out of hate crime throughout the Danish criminal justice system. Goldstein’s theory of problem-oriented policing is used as framework to discuss the implications of law in hate crime policing. The Danish police is expected to deal more effectively with the hate crime problem, and more knowledge on what works in hate crime policing is needed.

Keywords: Hate crime, investigation, criminal justice processing, problem-oriented policing, thematic analysis.  

Folkhälsomyndigheten har på regeringens uppdrag utlyst medel till tre projekt med syfte att förebygga ANDT-bruk, främja psykisk hälsa och social inkludering hos unga vuxna i migration som är 18-29 år. Till projekten kopplades ett uppdrag som följeforskare. Denna slutrapport har sammanställts av följeforskaren. Inledningsvis beskrivs projektens mål och organisation. Därefter presenteras resultat från följeforskarens arbete, en avgränsad litteraturöversyn, en processutvärdering, en mål-resultatutvärdering, och en enkätundersökning, som tillsammans syftar till att belysa projektens innehåll, utveckling och resultat. Rapporten avslutas med en sammanfattning som behandlar projektens tillgångar respektive begränsningar och en diskussion som fokuserar på formen för utvecklingsmedel.

Samtliga av de tre projekten har genomfört vad man förutsatt i ansökan om projektmedel. Projektet Hälsofrämjarna har genomförts av Vuxenutbildningen i Kramfors kommun. Här har fyra hälsomoduler utvecklats och sedan implementerats i undervisningen i svenska för invandrare (SFI). Projektet Främja Hälsa Ung har genomförts av Rädda Barnen och Region Jämtland Härjedalen. I projektet har individer med språklig och kulturell kompetens rekryterats och utbildats för att genom gruppmöten främja målgruppens hälsokompetens. Projektet TB for YOU har genomförts av föreningen Tegelbruket i Örebro. I projektet har verksamhetens ungdomscoacher identifierat och erbjudit målgruppen den egna verksamhetens program inom kultur, bildning och idrott.

Samtliga program uppvisar såväl positiva som negativa tendenser. Resultat från följeforskarens enkätundersökning visar att de unga vuxna i migration som medverkat i projekten har betydande behov av förebyggande insatser. I jämförelse med nationella referensdata visade det sig att studiedeltagarna var särskilt utsatta vad avser sociala relationer. Allvarlig psykisk ohälsa i form av depression och suicidförsök var också vanligt förekommande. Alkohol och droganvändande var dock inte särskilt omfattande. Projekten har utvecklats i olika utsträckning under projekttiden, vilket sannolikt kan härledas till såväl interna som externa faktorer. Enkätundersökningen och effektutvärderingen har metodologiska tillkortakommanden som framförallt avser begränsade populationer och låga uppföljningsfrekvenser. Effektutvärderingen har till följd av den begränsade populationen inte kunnat identifiera några statistiskt säkerställda resultat. De tendenser som presenteras ska tolkas med försiktighet.

Unga vuxna i migration är inte en homogen grupp. Rapportens innehåll understryker behovet av att utveckla förebyggande program som kan nå målgruppen på så många tillgängliga sätt som möjligt. Förhoppningen är att många låter sig inspireras av de projekt som beskrivs i denna rapport. 

Introduction: This study replicates two US intervention studies using personalized normative feedback (PNF) on alcohol-related risky sexual behavior (RSB).

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 654 Swedish university students were assigned to an alcohol only intervention, an alcohol-related RSB only intervention, a combined alcohol and alcohol-related RSB intervention, an integrated alcohol and alcohol-related RSB intervention, or control. Follow-up assessments were made at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.

Results: In comparison to controls, drinks per week were reduced at 3 months in the Alcohol Only, Combined, and Integrated intervention groups. Frequency and quantity of drinking before sex were reduced at 3- and 6-month follow-up for the Sex Only, Combined, and Integrated intervention groups. The Alcohol Only intervention showed significant results on frequency of drinking before sex at 3 months, and on quantity of drinking before sex at 6 months. The Combined intervention had reduced outcomes on alcohol-related consequences and on alcohol-related sexual consequences at both follow-ups. Alcohol Only and Integrated interventions showed effects on both outcomes regarding consequences at 6 months, and the Sex Only group showed effects on sexual consequences at 6 months.

Conclusions: It is concluded that PNF interventions offer considerable positive effects, and could be used to reduce alcohol-related RSB in Swedish university students.

Background: Problematic alcohol use in Sweden occurs among 16 % of the adult population. Digital interventions of varying intensity have shown positive effects in contributing to reductions in problematic use, and the TeleCoach app has shown positive effects in non-treatment-seeking university students with excessive drinking (Gajecki et al., 2017). This pilot study evaluates the app among adult internet help-seekers. This pilot study evaluated the app among adult internet help-seekers, and motivated continued data collection in the current target group Methods: Adult internet-help seekers, recruited via advertisement, were included if they scored ³6 (women) or ³8 (men) on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Those with depression scores of ³31 on the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S) or problematic drug use scores of ³8 on the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) were contacted for a telephone interview and included following clinical assessment; if not reached they were excluded. Participants randomized at a 1:1 ratio to the TeleCoach™ web-based app or to a web-based app with information texts from primary care-based self-help material for changing problematic alcohol use. At six-week follow-up, the primary outcome was the number of standard drinks per past week (Timeline-Followback). Results: Of 147 persons assessed for eligibility, 89 were assigned to the intervention group (n=42) or control group (n=47). Average AUDIT levels at baseline were ³18.The baseline number of standard drinks per week was 32.73 (SD 21.16) for the intervention group, and 26 (4.08) for the control group; at 6-week follow-up it was 12.73 (10.52) and 13.48 (11.13) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. No significant between-groups effects occurred, but withingroup changes over time were significant (F(1, 55)=43.98; p< 0.000), with an effect size of 1.37 for the intervention group and 0.92 for the control group. Conclusions: The results suggest that web-based apps can be of help to internet help-seekers motivated to reduce problematic alcohol use. We have proceeded with the planned larger randomized, controlled study and will present 6-week follow-up data for the entire study sample (n=∼1000) in this presentation.

Background: Alcohol-related sexual consequences are common in college students. A newly developed 41-item Alcohol-Related Sexual Consequences Scale has recently been evaluated in at-risk young adults in the U.S. The current study aims to validate the Scale in Swedish college students. Methods: The occurrence of alcohol-related sexual consequences was assessed by birth gender, relationship status, gender identity/sexual orientation, and age. Negative binomial regression was used to assess convergent and divergent validity. Results: On average, 5.4 (SD 5.1) alcohol-related sexual consequences were experienced past three months. Greater scores were reported in singles, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning), and younger students. All sex-related covariates showed robust associations with alcohol-related sexual consequences while most alcohol-related covariates were not associated (e.g., convergent validity). All alcohol-related covariates showed robust associations with alcohol consequences while most sex-related covariates were not associated (e.g., divergent validity). In the full model predicting alcohol-related sexual consequences, being a woman, single, and younger were identified as independent predictors. Conclusions: This newly developed scale assessing alcohol-related sexual consequences could be used in both epidemiological studies and intervention studies targeting at-risk students.

Objectives This study evaluates whether initiation rates, completion rates, response patterns and prevalence of psychiatric conditions differ by level of personal integrity information given to prospective participants in an online mental health self-report survey. Methods A three-arm, parallel-group, single-blind experiment was conducted among students from two Swedish universities. Consenting participants following e-mail invitation answered the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health-International College Student (WMH-ICS) mental health self-report survey, screening for eight psychiatric conditions. Random allocation meant consenting to respond (1) anonymously; (2) confidentially, or (3) confidentially, where the respondent also gave consent for collection of register data. Results No evidence was found for overall between-group differences with respect to (1) pressing a hyperlink to the survey in the invitation email; and (2) abandoning the questionnaire before completion. However, participation consent and self-reported depression were in the direction of higher levels for the anonymous group compared to the two confidential groups. Conclusions Consent to participate is marginally affected by different levels of personal integrity information. Current standard participant information procedures may not engage participants to read the information thoroughly, and online self-report mental health surveys may reduce stigma and thus be less subject to social desirability bias.

Objective: During the COVID pandemic, government authorities worldwide have tried to limit the spread of the virus. Sweden's distinctive feature was the use of voluntary public health recommendations. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this strategy. Based on data collected in the spring of 2020, this study explored associations between compliance with recommendations and observed symptoms of contagion in others, using self-report data from university students.

Results: Compliance with recommendations ranged between 69.7 and 95.7 percent. Observations of moderate symptoms of contagion in "Someone else I have had contact with" and "Another person" were markedly associated with reported self-quarantine, which is the most restrictive recommendation, complied with by 81.2% of participants. Uncertainty regarding the incidence and severity of contagion in cohabitants was markedly associated with the recommendation to avoid public transportation, a recommendation being followed by 69.7%. It is concluded that students largely followed the voluntary recommendations implemented in Sweden, suggesting that coercive measures were not necessary. Compliance with recommendations were associated with the symptoms students saw in others, and with the perceived risk of contagion in the student's immediate vicinity. It is recommended that voluntary recommendations should stress personal relevance, and that close relatives are at risk.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates if symptoms of COVID-19 contagion in different social contexts (cohabitants, family, acquaintances, and others) are associated with university students' own self-reported symptoms of COVID-19 contagion, mental health, and study capacity. This was investigated by a cross-sectional survey administrated in Sweden during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the time when universities were locked down to limit viral spread and contagion.

RESULTS: Mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in cohabitants and family members were associated with student's self-reported symptoms of contagion, while no associations could be seen in relation to mental health and study capacity. Symptoms of COVID-19 contagion in acquaintances and others were not associated with students' self-reported symptoms, nor with their mental health and study capacity. To conclude, during the initial lockdown of universities students' self-reported symptoms of contagion were mainly associated with cohabitants and family members, while symptoms of contagion in different social contexts were not associated with mental health and study capacity. Findings suggest that lockdown of universities may have contributed to limiting infection pathways, while still allowing students to focus on their studies despite significant contagion among others known to the student.

Objective: To investigate perceived changes in academic self-efficacy associated with self-reported symptoms of COVID-19, changes in mental health, and trust in universities’ management of the pandemic and transition to remote education during lockdown of Swedish universities in the spring of 2020. Methods: 4495 participated and 3638 responded to self-efficacy questions. Associations were investigated using multinomial regression. Results: Most students reported self-experienced effects on self-efficacy. Lowered self-efficacy was associated with symptoms of contagion, perceived worsening of mental health and low trust in universities’ capacity to successfully manage the lockdown and transition to emergency remote education. Increased self-efficacy was associated with better perceived mental health and high trust in universities. Conclusion: The initial phase of the pandemic was associated with a larger proportion of students reporting self-experienced negative effects on academic self-efficacy. Since self-efficacy is a predictor of academic performance, it is likely that students’ academic performance will be adversely affected. 

OBJECTIVE: This study used causal inference to estimate the longitudinal effects of contagion in cohabitants and family members on university students' mental health and academic self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal study including a baseline online measurement in May 2020, and online follow-ups after 5 months and 10 months. Participants were recruited through open-access online advertising.

SETTING: Public universities and university colleges in Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS: The analytical sample included 2796 students.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Contagion in cohabitants and in family members was assessed at baseline and at the 5-month follow-up. Mental health and academic self-efficacy were assessed at the 5-month and 10-month follow-ups.

RESULTS: Mild symptoms reported in cohabitants at baseline resulted in negative mental health effects at follow-up 5 months later, and mild baseline symptoms in family members resulted in negative effects on academic self-efficacy at follow-ups both 5 and 10 months later.

CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the lack of precision in estimated effects, the findings emphasise the importance of social relationships and the challenges of providing students with sufficient support in times of crisis.

In higher education, students' trust in the university management may affect both mental health and academic self-efficacy. This longitudinal study, conducted during the most challenging course of the COVID-19 pandemic, uses multinomial regression and causal inference to estimate the effects of students' trust in their universities' strategies for managing the pandemic, on students' self-reported changes in mental health and academic self-efficacy. The analyzed sample (N = 2796) was recruited through online advertising and responded to a baseline online survey in the late spring of 2020, with two follow-up surveys five and ten months later. Results show that positive trust in university management of the pandemic protected against experiencing one's mental health and academic self-efficacy as worse rather than unchanged, both five and ten months after the baseline assessment. The findings emphasize the importance of developing and maintaining trust-building measures between academia and students to support students' mental health and academic self-efficacy in times of uncertainty.

Introduction: Risk factors of traditional substance use related problems in young adults are more well-known than for behavioral addictions such as gambling and gaming problems. The present study aims to provide knowledge about the longitudinal patters of substance use related and behavioral addictions in early adulthood. Methods: Using self-report surveys, substance-related, psychiatric, and demographic predictors were assessed in Swedish high school seniors and re-assessed six years later along with gambling and gaming problems, n = 800. Associations (Risk Ratios) between risk factors in late adolescence and problem behaviors in young adulthood were analyzed. Results: Tobacco use, illicit drug use, and hazardous drinking in young adulthood were associated with tobacco use, illicit drug use, alcohol use, conduct problems, and impaired impulse control in late adolescence. Gambling problems in young adulthood were only associated with heredity of alcohol problems, while gaming was not associated to any problem behavior in late adolescence. Conclusion: It is concluded that predictors for traditional substance-related addictions differ from predictors for behavioral addictions, and that this difference is more pronounced for gaming problems than for gambling problems.

This randomized trial evaluates whether automated telephony could be used to perform daily assessments in paroled offenders (N = 108) during their first 30 days after leaving prison. All subjects were called daily and answered assessment questions. Based on the content of their daily assessments, subjects in the intervention group received immediate feedback and a recommendation by automated telephony, and their probation officers also received a daily report by email. The outcome variables were analyzed using linear mixed models. The intervention group showed greater improvement than the control group in the summary scores (M = 9.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.5, 18.7], p = .038), in mental symptoms (M = 4.6, CI = [0.2, 9.0], p = .042), in alcohol drinking (M = 0.8, CI = [0.1, 1.4], p = .031), in drug use (M = 1.0, CI = [0.5, 1.6], p = .000), and in most stressful daily event (M = 1.9, CI = [1.1, 2.7], p = .000). In conclusion, automated telephony may be used to follow up and to give interventions, resulting in reduced stress and drug use, in paroled offenders.

Romansbedrägerier är ett omfattande samhällsproblem där majoriteten av den forskning som finns fokuserar på brottsoffers generella utsatthet. Den nuvarande forskningen handlar om de ekonomiska skador som sker i samband med brottet och karaktäristika hos förövare och offer. Forskning om de konsekvenser som följer utsattheten, såväl emotionella som ekonomiska, samt vilket stöd som ges till brottsoffer saknas i hög utsträckning - både internationellt och nationellt. Denna studie syftar därför till att undersöka hur livet ser ut för en individ efter utsatthet för romansbedrägerier. Studien utgår ifrån två frågeställningar, dels vilka konsekvenser som utsatthet för romansbedrägerier medför och dels hur stödet ser ut för dessa individer. Metoden som använts för att besvara frågeställningarna är en innehållsanalys av redan befintligt material, såsom tidningsartiklar, podcasts och TV-dokumentärer. Resultatet visar att utsatthet för romansbedrägeri medför stora emotionella och ekonomiska konsekvenser för offret, där offret känner mycket skam och skuld på grund av sin utsatthet. Resultatet visar även att det stöd som offren får efter sin utsatthet är bristfällig, i synnerhet stödet och bemötandet från rättsväsendet. Studiens resultat kan bidra till en större förståelse för brottsoffers upplevelse av utsattheten samt belysa det faktum att olika aktörer inom samhället, såsom till exempel rättsväsendet, behöver utvecklas och ge bättre stöd och bemötande till offer för romansbedrägeri. 

The field of hate crime studies is a young one and as such it is characterized by a high proportion of explorative and inductive studies. This methodological approach is well founded when a field is unfolding as they often generate theoretical conclusions or assumptions. Since I began working with the present dissertation in 2013, I have observed an increased tendency towards deductive studies testing the conclusions and assumptions made by field pioneers. The present dissertation is part of this branch and has two primary aims; 1) to test field assumptions and 2) develop present theoretical frameworks on causes and consequences of hate crime.In Article 1, me and my co-author examine the assumption that hate crime victimization result in higher levels of fear in comparison to non-bias crime. The assumption is tested by comparing fear of crime, behavioral adaptations and place-based worry among students with an immigrant and/or national minority background. The results show that hate crime victims reported significantly higher levels of fear of crime in comparison to non-victims and non-bias victims. However, there were few significant differences in behavioral adaptations and place-based worry. From interviews with hate crime victims we learned that place-based worry is not primarily associated with the physical characteristics of a certain area, but geographical concentrations of racist attitudes. Moreover, the behavioral adaptations that the interview participants used to avoid future victimization were often based upon de-identification. From these results we can conclude that traditional measures of place-based worry and behavioral adaptations does not adequately capture consequences of hate crime.In Article 2, me and my co-authors examine the assumption that police reporting is lower among victims of hate crime that target more than one of their identity categories. Contrarily to the assumption, we find that victims of hate crime with multiple motives report their experiences to the police to a higher extent in comparison to victims of hate crime with single motives. We also found that participants with several intersecting group identities endowed with stigma were more likely to be targets of hate crime with multiple motives, but not more likely to experience repeat victimization. These results support the branch of intersectional theory holding that group belongings primarily influence the expressions of violence rather than the risk of being subjected to violence.In Article 3, me and my co-authors examine the assumption that hate targets the identity of the victim and thereby attack the core of the victim’s self. We found that hate crime targets a negative stereotype associated with the perceived identity of the victim. Consequently, interview participants did not regard hate crime as a direct attack on their selves as they did not identify with the negative stereotype. However, hate crime remain a violation of the self as it denies the victims self-representation. The results also showed that the meaning-making regarding hate crime victimization is reflexive as the participants used earlier experiences when assigning meaning to incidents. This process was also recursive as new incidents lead to re-interpretations of previous experiences. In sum, the participants developed and negotiated their experiences of hate crime over time.In Article 4, me and my co-authors examine the assumption that vicarious victims respond in similar ways as direct victims since hate crime signal the presence of threat beyond the initial victim, sometimes referred to as the in terrorem effect. We examine the in terrorem effect by comparing fear of crime between non-victims, vicarious victims of hate crime, and direct victims of hate crime in three communities; women, Muslims and sexual minorities. The results showed that direct victims were generally more afraid of crime in comparison to non-victims in all communities. Though not all differences were significant, the reaction pattern among non-victims, vicarious victims and direct victims in the studies commu-nities showed the pattern of a stair, with the lowest rates among non-victims and the highest rates among direct victims. These results thereby contradict the proposed pattern of the in terrorem effect in which vicarious victims and direct victims are held to react in similar ways.In sum, the results of the present dissertation call for a more complex understanding of both individual and community effects of hate crime. The theoretical development and integration in Chapter 3 along with the results of Articles 1-4 results in hypotheses for future research on causes and consequences of hate crime in Chapter 6.

The aim of the study is to provide thevictims’perspective to the contemporary conceptualization of hate crime.Much attention has been given to the interpretational frameworks of offenders, and although victims’ definitions of hate crime are sometimes mentioned in passing in interview studies, this has never been a primary subject of study.The present study applies phenomenological analysisto 28semi-structured interviews with victims of hate crime. The results show that the participants primarily apply meaning to their experiences in social groups and use previous experiences to guide their interpretations. While the conceptualization of victims largely concurs withtheory presented by the research community and special interest organizations, they diverge from how hate crime is contextualized in hate crime legislation.

In Sweden, social services have the primary responsibility for providing support to victims of domestic violence. Initially, a risk assessment of the victim's situation should be carried out to identify the need for support. The way in which risk assessments are carried out varies between services, which may have an impact on how the case is managed at a later stage. Therefore, as recommended, the assessment should be carried out in accordance with a standardised methodology. The aim of this study is to contribute with increased knowledge about the risk assessment tools FREDA and SARA: SV's ability to detect particular vulnerability and different social groups in the work with domestic violence. Through a qualitative, deductive method, thematic analysis is used to investigate the content of the assessment tools from an intersectional perspective with the aim of highlighting whether different vulnerability factors and social groups are made visible. The analysis resulted in four themes, 1) vulnerability of different parties, 2) social vulnerability, 3) relational vulnerability, and 4) the complex objectivity of the tools.

The results show that a variety of vulnerability factors are taken into account when assessing, albeit to a relatively small extent. However, these are particularly relevant in connection with the perpetrator and the assessment of the risk of continued domestic violence. In addition, it is discussed whether the tools' neutral wording only has an inclusive effect or whether it also risks making groups with special needs invisible.

The aim of the present study is to examine what citizens think about camera surveillance and how it affects their day to day life. The question at issue was answered through structured interviews carried out at Stortorget in central Malmö. The interviews resulted in 119 participants and the material was processed with both a qualitative and quantitative approach. The result corresponds with previous research which shows that Swedish citizens view camera surveillance positively, the overall trend is that approximately  80% of Swedes are positive towards camera surveillance in public places. Furthermore, the results show a conflict between integrity and security, as the study shows that camera surveillance violates the integrity of certain individuals. In addition, the results are linked to theories of power and Foucault's thoughts on Panopticon. Where a constantly monitoring eye can affect individuals' life patterns, as they are normalized into what is seen as right by whoever is in power. However, the study shows that only a few individuals consider themselves affected by camera surveillance in their everyday life. Suggestions for further research are to conduct more in-depth and open interviews with participants, this in order to more deeply understand their reasoning. It would also be interesting to research how material from camera surveillance is being processed according to laws and regulations. 

The present paper extends previous research in terms of integrating social learning with morality theories, under the framework of moral educators’ and their conflicting moral influences. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of witnessing moral educators breaking (their) moral teachings on individual’s morality and criminal behavior using a sample of two countries, Sweden and Greece, with similar population but entirely different cultural and social characteristics. We focus on three research questions regarding the correlations and (i) the explanatory influence of witnessing this conflict on moral emotions and values by gender and country, (ii) its impact on traditional crime by gender and country and (iii) the impact that witnessing the conflict and morality mutually have on traditional crime in the two countries. Our findings emerge in three key points. First, we found that witnessing moral educators influenced both moral emotions differentially in each country and gender, but only affected Swedish males’ moral values. Secondly, our results showed that witnessing moral educators can explain a moderate to small variance of traditional crime only for males in the two countries. Lastly, we found that witnessing moral educators together with morality can explain a moderate variance of traditional crime in the two countries, while gender is highly important for both countries. Findings are discussed in relation to theory and previous research. Future research is recommended in order to expand the understanding of the cultural and social learning processes that inhibit (im)moral contexts and subsequently affect morality and offending.

The police are involved in almost all phases of a criminal investigation, starting with the crime itself and ending in court. The clearance rate is a core issue. If this rate is low or decreases, perpetrators will not be prosecuted and sentenced, and the police will be criticized. If this is to be rectified it is necessary to understand why it happens (causes).The aim of this study has been to investigate the prerequisites for the investigation of assault crimes and the police's ability to solve these crimes. The objective has been to produce knowledge for a follow-up model that can provide a more multifaceted picture of the police investigation results, beyond just reported preliminary investigation protocols (FUP).The data consist of 384 police reports regarding assaults that were assessed to be non-serious. In line with the aim of the study, the study employs a Swedish equivalent of the Evidence-Based Investigative Tool (EBIT) (McFadzien et al., 2020; Sherman, 2018).Rational decision theory (March, 1994) has been applied, along with theories focused on the way street bureaucracies manage and prioritize among an incessant influx of cases (Lipsky, 2010) and on various mechanisms that influence the approaches employed (Brodkin, 2011a; Jönsson, 2021). As a measure of the prerequisites for police investigations, a number of basic variables have been employed to reflect whether there is an identified victim, who then cooperates with the investigation, and an identifiable perpetrator. Other basic variables reflect whether there are witnesses, or surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident. As a measure of the police's investigative ability, the study employs variables focused on whether victims and witnesses have been interrogated and whether the police have checked/obtained footage from surveillance cameras.The results show that the conditions for investigating assault are not optimal. Only one third of cases meet all the specified requirements. In about 75 percent of these cases, the police had carried out the investigative measures that were possible. In the remaining investigations, the victims had not been interviewed, the police had not questioned witnesses, or they had not checked and retrieve surveillance footage. To some extent this might be explained by the fact that the reported crime was minor, that the case included information about a counter allegation, the crime would be difficult to prove, or a claim of self-defense difficult to disprove.

The study’s results are in several respects neither unexpected nor remarkable. According to the Swedish Police’s national investigative strategy, high priority must be given to cases of domestic violence and only crimes that are expected to lead to prosecution should be investigated. However, there were also some surprising findings: The police succeeded in confirming or disproving assault in 29 percent of all reported non-serious assault crimes. Solving reported crimes is not always equivalent to prosecuting.

Finally, the results indicate that a tool for predicting clearance could be utilized to reduce the workload of Principal Investigators. However, this would require more extensive investigative measures to be undertaken at the time the crime report is initially registered. The results show that the documentation on which decisions are based is in many cases insufficient for an assessment of whether or not a prosecution is likely, since it lacks information on the presence or absence of witnesses or surveillance cameras, and whether these substantiate the crime.

Previous research has established correlations between anti-LGBTQ hate crime, fear of crime, perceived victimization risk, and the concealment of sexual orientation. Aside from correlations, the relationships between these variables remain poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to explore the relationships between anti-LGBTQ hate crime, perceived risk, and the concealment of sexual orientation in relation to fear of crime. Based on previous research and theory, the authors hypothesize (1) that experiences of hate crime victimization increase fear of crime, perceived victimization risk, and the concealment of sexual orientation; (2) that high levels of perceived risk result in high fear of crime and a more prevalent concealment of orientation; and (3) that the concealment of sexual orientation results in lower fear of crime. The sample consists of LGBTQ students enrolled at a Swedish university. The study uses a mixed method approach, combining survey data (N = 353) and interview data (N = 10). The data are assessed using path analysis and thematic analysis. The path analysis supported the authors’ hypothesis regarding experiences of anti-LGBT hate crime, perceived risk, and fear of crime. The qualitative analysis showed that victims of hate crimes had a reduced ability to process negative emotions because they experienced other traumatic life events parallel to the victimization. Similarly, feelings of being reduced to a negative stereotype resulted in higher levels of both fear of crime and perceived risk. Finally, the path analysis rejected the hypothesis that the concealment of sexual orientation results in lower fear of crime. Rather than being an agency-driven and functional fear response, the interview data showed that while these practices reduced victimization risk, they negatively impacted the overall health of the participants through feelings of lack of authenticity and self-censorship.

Background: Police are most at risk, and so are the residents due to the vulnerability in the slum community of WestPoint. Despite the efforts of the government to improve community living standards by encouraging the role of Community policing in crime prevention, there is instead an increase in the crime rate and insecurity in the neighborhoods. Aim: To assess the development and practice of Community policing to understand the challenges and the reasons for the ineffectiveness of policing in WestPoint, Greater Monrovia, Liberia. Methods: A qualitative method was employed using open-ended survey questions. Malmö University library and google scholar search engines were utilized with several inclusion criteria to arrive at 48 articles and books for this review. Results: To be able to implement Community policing, there should be competency among police officers and more trained officers in the force, Police also need to have a good view of their power or authority and administer their duties in the appropriate form and manner, increasing good communication between the Police and the residents.Conclusion: In the light of the restraints, implementation of Community policing in WestPoint has failed due to its inadequacy to collaborate with partners between security agencies and communities; failure to protect volunteers of information among the community resident; failure to provide awareness to WestPoint residents on the importance to uphold the existing laws and procedures of the public safety and security.Keywords: Community policing; Efficacy; Disorganization Neighborhood; Crime prevention.

The government assignment Tillsammans mot brott has increased the prioritization of and interest in inter-agency collaboration. This forms the background to Operation Klöver where eight different swedish actors were involved; the Police, Customs, Enforcement officer, Work-environment authority, Environmental administration, Tax agency, Northwest rescue service and the Social Insurance Agency. The risk with these kinds of collaborations is that such forms of work are initiated as a pure intrinsic value and without taking into account the necessary conditions needed for their collaboration to enhance their crime-fighting and crime prevention rather than inhibit it. The purpose of this goal-process evaluation is therefore to give the actors involved in Operation Klöver an overview of their work in relation to the operation's second goal, to develop inter-agency collaborations. The hope is that their workmethods can be developed to, if possible, become more suitable for its purpose and that their crime-fighting and crime prevention can be developed and continued in the future. The central queries are: What are the guidelines or conditions for collaboration between the various actors? and How have the involved actors experienced that the collaboration has worked before, during and after Operations Klöver’s implementation? The results from this show that the actors have very good conditions for collaboration and that all actors have been satisfied with each other's work and are positive about future inter-agency collaboration. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about several restrictions throughout society which has limited people's outdoor activities and forced individuals to stay home. These circumstances have possibly had an impact on the prevalence of domestic violence and other types of assault. This paper uses police crime data from the first six months of 2020 to analyse if any changes in domestic violence can be attributed to the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions in Sweden. Using the LUPP method, developed by The Swedish Council for Crime Prevention (BRÅ), this paper investigates weekly changes in crime compared to the same period in 2019 while additionally studying the prevalence of different types of relationships between the victim and offender. Results indicate that partner violence for men has doubled in relation to all assault crimes, and that partner violence for women has also increased substantially, accounting for 46 % of total assault crimes in the observed period. Abuse by family members, other acquaintances, and unknown persons have seemingly gone down in 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. A concluding regression analysis reveals weak to moderate correlations between changes in domestic violence- and non-domestic violence crimes and COVID-19 restrictions, even when changes in seasonality is accounted for. While the increase in domestic violence crimes does not directly coincide with the emergence of COVID-19, results indicate that the implemented restrictions have played an important role in maintaining heightened levels throughout the observed period. Future research is advised to continue testing for correlations to COVID-19 restrictions, while also considering other variables which could be related to domestic violence, such as increased alcohol consumption at home, family isolation, and economic stress. 

An apparent consistent finding, in Sweden and in the rest of the Western World, is that female criminality is increasing more than male criminality: if men still commit way more crimes, the gap between the sexes is narrowing.The aim of this thesis is to continue previous research, by studying female crime trends in Sweden. The data used comes from Swedish official crime statistics regarding women prosecuted for or suspected of a crime and covers a time period going from 2000 to 2020. The crimes of relevance in this thesis are the crimes of murder and manslaughter, assault, and gross assault. Finally, women are divided into various age groups to compare the evolution of each of them.The main findings of this study are that the number of women prosecuted for crimes against life and health seems to be overall decreasing, but this decrease is more pronounced for women aged below 21, and for the most serious crimes. On the other hand, the gap between suspected and prosecuted women is increasing, especially for women aged 21 or more. Finally, it seems that if at the beginning of the century women aged below 21 were the main female perpetrators of assault, this has changed, with older women now being more suspected and prosecuted for this crime.

Background and objectives: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is associated with health, social, and academic problems but whether these are consequences of the disorder rather than precursors or correlates is unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether IGD in the 1st year of university predicts health, academic and social problems 1 year later, controlling for baseline health, academic and social problems, demographics, and mental health symptoms.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 1741 university students completed both a baseline online survey in their 1st year and a follow-up survey 1 year later. Log-binomial models examined the strength of prospective associations between baseline predictor variables (IGD, baseline health, academic and social problems, sex, age, and mental health symptoms) and occurrence of health, academic and social problems at follow-up.

Results: When extensively adjusted by the corresponding outcome at baseline, any mental disorder symptoms, sex, and age, baseline IGD was associated only with severe school impairment and poor social life (risk ratio [RR] = 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14-2.75, p = .011; RR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.07-1.38, p = .002, respectively).

Conclusions and scientific significance: University authorities and counselors should consider that incoming 1st-year students that meet criteria for IGD are likely to have increased academic and social impairments during their 1st year for which they may want to intervene. This study adds to the existing literature by longitudinally examining a greater array of negative outcomes of IGD than previously documented.

Overconsumption of alcohol, from hazardous to excessive, heavy, and harmful levels, is common among university students. Consenting Swedish students were assigned to one of two smartphone apps offering feedback on estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC; Promillekoll/PartyPlanner) or assessment only (n = 2166; 1:1:1 ratio). App participants with excessive drinking according to public health criteria (>9/>14 drinks/week for women/men, respectively) at a 7 week follow-up were additionally assigned to the skills-based TeleCoach app or waitlist (n = 186; 1:1 ratio). All participants were followed at 14 and 20 weeks. At 7 weeks, Promillekoll users showed higher risk of excessive drinking (odds ratio (OR) = 1.83; p

AIMS: The COVID-19 containment strategy in Sweden uses public health recommendations relying on personal responsibility for compliance. Universities were one of few public institutions subject to strict closure, meaning that students had to adapt overnight to online teaching. This study investigates the prevalence of self-reported recommendation compliance and associations with self-reported symptoms of contagion, self-experienced effects on mental health and academic self-efficacy among university students in Sweden in May-June 2020.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional 23 question online survey in which data were analysed by multinomial regression, taking a Bayesian analysis approach complemented by null hypothesis testing.

RESULTS: A total of 4495 students consented to respond. Recommendation compliance ranged between 70% and 96%. Women and older students reported higher compliance than did men and younger students. Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms were reported by 30%, severe symptoms by fewer than 2%; 15% reported being uncertain and half of the participants reported no symptoms. Mental health effects were reported by over 80%, and changes in academic self-efficacy were reported by over 85%; in both these areas negative effects predominated. Self-reported symptoms and uncertainty about contagion were associated with non-compliance, negative mental health effects, and impaired academic self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS: Students generally followed public health recommendations during strict closure of universities, but many reported considerable negative consequences related to mental health and academic self-efficacy. Digital interventions should be developed and evaluated to boost coping skills, build resilience and alleviate student suffering during the pandemic and future similar crises.

Two years ago, a Special Issue on E-health Interventions for Addictive Behaviors was published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. The issue included 16 articles, addressing topics like methodologies for developing e-health interventions, how to engage intervention users and establish a working alliance, and empirical findings from randomized controlled trials and a naturalistic study. The issue began with two articles offering a wide perspective on the field, with a systematic review of reviews on digital interventions for problematic alcohol use, as well as a too for describing e-health interventions as a step towards standardized reporting in order to facilitate communication about the interventions and comparisons between them. This symposium will follow up on the Special Issue by bringing together some of the contributors for presentations of their current work and a discussion on the current state-of-the-art in digital interventions for addictive behaviors. This symposium is sponsored by SBM’s Scientific and Professional Liaison Council (SPLC), in partnership with the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM).

Background: Improving relationship dynamics positively impacts both partners’ health among couples. However, few studies have investigated sexual and gender minority (SGM) couples’ relationship goals and their experiences toward achieving them.

Purpose: The present study investigated SGM couples’ experiences that centered on them working toward or maintaining their relationship goals over time.

Method: From a cohort study with SGM couples, a purposive sample of 40 couples was selected and interviewed over Zoom. Interviews were individual-level, semi-structured, and recorded. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts.

Results: Approximately half of the 40 couples identified as gay male couples, a third as lesbian couples, and about one-fifth as queer or gender minority couples. Top three reported relationship goals were 1) improving communication, 2) working on finances, and 3) enhancing intimacy. Feeling emotionally connected, career-related decisions, and improving sexual satisfaction were other commonly reported goals. Overall, most partners felt they made progress toward at least 1 of their 3 relationship goals within the prior 6 months. However, perceived relationship goal progress varied extensively between partners across couple groups. Facilitator-related themes about relationship goal progress included dyadic efforts, having a support system including professional help, and planning. Barrier-related themes included nonexistent or minimal effort, different communication styles, employment and economical struggles, and competing life and health priorities.

Conclusion(s): Dyadic efforts and support systems were key toward someone working toward or maintaining their relationships goals. Findings suggest key relationship functioning areas to target in a future multiple health behavior change intervention for SGM couples.

Alcohol is one of the leading risk factors for global disease burden and overconsumption leads to a wide variety of negative consequences in everyday life. Digital interventions have shown small positive effects in contributing to reductions in problematic use. Specific research on smartphone apps is sparse and the few studies published indicate effects ranging from negative or null to small or moderate. TeleCoach™, a web-based skills training smartphone app, has shown positive effects in non-treatment-seeking university students with excessive drinking. This pilot trial aimed to evaluate app effects in a sample of internet help-seekers from the general population in Sweden. A total of 89 participants were recruited via online advertisement. Following baseline assessment for hazardous use, they were randomized to TeleCoach or a web-based control app offering brief information and advice regarding problematic alcohol use. The primary outcome was number of standard drinks per week; secondary outcomes included drinking quantity and frequency, binge drinking and blood alcohol count measures as well as app user data and comorbidity related to depression, anxiety, and drug use. Analysis of baseline and 6-week follow-up outcomes showed significant within-group effects on alcohol consumption but no significant between-group differences. Effect sizes for the within-group changes in the primary outcome over time were significant [F(1, 55)=43.98; p < 0.001], with a Cohen's d of 1.37 for the intervention group and 0.92 for the control group. This difference in effect sizes indicated that continuation of the study as a large randomized, controlled trial with up to 1,000 participants could be worthwhile.

Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03696888.

Background: Problematic alcohol use in Sweden occurs among 16 % of the adult population. Digital interventions of varying intensity have shown positive effects in contributing to reductions in problematic use, and the TeleCoach app has shown positive effects in non-treatment-seeking university students with excessive drinking (Gajecki et al., 2017). This pilot study evaluated the app among adult internet help-seekers, and motivated continued data collection in the current target group. Methods: Adult internet-help seekers, recruited via advertisement, were included if they scored ³6 (women) or ³8 (men) on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Those with depression scores of ³31 on the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S) or problematic drug use scores of ³8 on the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) were contacted for a telephone interview and included following clinical assessment; if not reached they were excluded. Participants randomized at a 1:1 ratio to the TeleCoach™ web-based app or to a web-based app with information texts from primary care-based self-help material for changing problematic alcohol use. At six-week follow-up, the primary outcome was the number of standard drinks per past week (Timeline-Followback). Results: Of 147 persons assessed for eligibility, 89 were assigned to the intervention group (n=42) or control group (n=47). Average AUDIT levels at baseline were ³18.The baseline number of standard drinks per week was 32.73 (SD 21.16) for the intervention group, and 26 (4.08) for the control group; at 6-week follow-up it was 12.73 (10.52) and 13.48 (11.13) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. No significant between-groups effects occurred, but withingroup changes over time were significant (F(1, 55)=43.98; p< 0.000), with an effect size of 1.37 for the intervention group and 0.92 for the control group. Conclusions: The results suggest that web-based apps can be of help to internet help-seekers motivated to reduce problematic alcohol use. We have proceeded with the planned larger randomized, controlled study and will present 6-week follow-up data for the entire study sample (n=∼1000) in this presentation.

Objective: Mental wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of the broader notion of quality of life. Little is known about the mental wellbeing of university students in general and Swedish university students in particular. As emerging adults, university students typically experience substantial changes to their living conditions, relationships, and academic stress, and depression and anxiety are prospectively associated with lower academic achievement at the end of the first year.

Methods: Data from five cross-sectional cohorts (n = 7423), collected between spring 2020 and spring 2022, were compared descriptively, regarding sociodemographic factors, lifetime and past 30-day symptoms of mental health problems, experiences of bullying, feeling loved and measures of well-being. Linear regression identified protective factors for wellbeing according to the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS), and risk factors for lower wellbeing.

Results: Participants were > 70% women, 24–27 years old, 75–83% born in Sweden. About one-third had experienced physical bullying at school and about 70% felt loved and cared for. About two-thirds had medium levels of wellbeing, with one-third having low levels and about 5% having high levels. Protective factors for wellbeing included older age, male gender, feeling loved most of the time, and the grit construct. Risk factors included being an international student, non-heterosexual sexual orientation, having symptoms of depression or anxiety most of the time, and experiencing effort/reward imbalance.

Conclusions: A large proportion of students experience less than optimal wellbeing. Interventions to enhance positive, nurturing relationships and reinforce grit-related factors could support students in this challenging period of life.

Introduction & Purpose: Digital interventions for changing problematic alcohol use have shown small effect sizes in relation to control groups. A meta-analysis (Riper et al., 2014) found an overall effect size of 0.20, with slightly higher effect sizes of 0.23 for interventions with a human guide, compared to 0.20 for unguided interventions. This presentation describes five different interventions, from unguided low-intensity to high-intensity guided interventions, evaluated in separate randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods: Target groups included internet help-seekers and university students, with hazardous drinking according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), excessive drinking based on national public health guidelines, or diagnosed alcohol use disorder (AUD). Study 1 evaluated eScreen.se, offering minimal screening and personal feedback, and alkoholhjalpen.se, a self-help program, with 633 internetbased participants reporting hazardous drinking. Study 2 evaluated the PartyPlanner and Promillekoll smartphone apps with 1932 university students reporting hazardous drinking. Study 3 evaluated the TeleCoach skills-based app with 186 university students who drank excessively. For studies 1-3 assessment-only controls were comparison groups. Study 4 compared the unguided eChange 10-week program to a guided version with 80 internet-based participants having at least hazardous use. Study 5 with 166 participants compared the high-intensity ePlus 13-week program to the unguided eChange program in a 13-week version, and a small wait-list control group. Results: Studies 1-5 are compared with one another in terms of baseline characteristics and results. Although inclusion criteria varied, baseline AUDIT levels out of a maximum of 40 points for studies 1-5 respectively were 20.82 (SD 6.93), 10.55 (3.90); 13.46 (4.69); 21.00 (4.90) and 23.70 (1.40). Within-group and between-group results are compared, showing greater effects for more intensive interventions. Conclusions: Effects vary by target groups, severity levels and interventions, but it is clear that digital interventions contribute to reduced problematic alcohol use.

BACKGROUND: Emerging adulthood is often associated with mental health problems. About one in three university students report symptoms of depression and anxiety that can negatively affect their developmental trajectory concerning work, intimate relationships, and health. This can interfere with academic performance, as mood and anxiety disorders are key predictors of dropout from higher education. A treatment gap exists, where a considerable proportion of students do not seek help for mood and anxiety symptoms. Offering internet interventions to students with mental health problems could reduce the treatment gap, increase mental health, and improve academic performance. A meta-analysis on internet interventions for university students showed small effects for depression and none for anxiety. Larger trials are recommended to further explore effects of guidance, transdiagnostic approaches, and individual treatment components.

METHODS: This study will offer 1200 university students in Sweden participation in a three-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating a guided or unguided transdiagnostic internet intervention for mild to moderate depression and anxiety, where the waitlist control group accesses the intervention at 6-month follow-up. Students reporting suicidal ideation/behaviors will be excluded and referred to treatment within the existing healthcare system. An embedded study within the trial (SWAT) will assess at week 3 of 8 whether participants in the guided and unguided groups are at higher risk of failing to benefit from treatment. Those at risk will be randomized to an adaptive treatment strategy, or to continue the treatment as originally randomized. Primary outcomes are symptoms of depression and anxiety. Follow-ups will occur at post-treatment and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month post-randomization. Between-group outcome analyses will be reported, and qualitative interviews about treatment experiences are planned.

DISCUSSION: This study investigates the effects of a transdiagnostic internet intervention among university students in Sweden, with an adaptive treatment strategy employed during the course of treatment to minimize the risk of treatment failure. The study will contribute knowledge about longitudinal trajectories of mental health and well-being following treatment, taking into account possible gender differences in responsiveness to treatment. With time, effective internet interventions could make treatment for mental health issues more widely accessible to the student group.