Peer-reviewed article

Emotional and behavioural development among Indigenous Sámi and non-Sámi preschool children in Norway: Sámi parental background, community context and gender.

Anita Mikalsen Vaskinn, Siv Kvernmo · 19 Aug 2026

Abstract

Emotional and behavioural problems in Indigenous Sámi and non-Sámi preschool children in Norway were examined in a sample, including 332 Sámi children and 4,777 non-Sámi children, from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Problems at 1.5, 3 and 5 years of age were measured by an abbreviated version of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Linear mixed models were used to analyse differences in internalising and externalising symptoms over time with a focus on the influence of ethnicity, Sámi parental background and local community context. Overall, no significant differences in emotional and behavioural problems were found between Sámi and non-Sámi children. Minority/majority status and parental practices are discussed as possible explanations for the interaction effect of gender, Sámi parental background and community context on externalising problems. The results indicate the need for culturally sensitive interventions in health services, prevention strategies and further research in Indigenous children.