Peer-reviewed article
Norwegian Triple-S Cohort Study: a large longitudinal study of children and adolescents exposed to maltreatment and their caregivers - cohort profile.
Sivertsen B, Hysing M, Hafstad GS, Kjørstad K, Schønning V et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001The Norwegian Triple-S Cohort Study is a large longitudinal study following children and adolescents aged 5-18 years who have experienced substantiated maltreatment, along with their non-offending caregivers. The study aims to identify risk and resilience factors and understand long-term health and functioning outcomes. As of June 2026, over 730 caregivers and 325 adolescents had enrolled, with recruitment continuing toward a target of 1500 participants. Published findings show high rates of mental health difficulties, sleep problems, impaired school functioning, and non-suicidal self-harm among maltreated children, as well as socioeconomic vulnerability among caregivers with histories of interpersonal violence.
Key points
- Participants include children and adolescents aged 5-18 years with substantiated maltreatment including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and exposure to domestic violence
- Baseline data collected on child mental and somatic health, behavioural and neurodevelopmental symptoms, self-harm, suicidality, sleep, school functioning, and service use
- Published analyses document substantial mental health and sleep difficulties, impaired school functioning and high levels of non-suicidal self-harm among exposed children
- Caregiver analyses show considerable socioeconomic vulnerability among mothers with cumulative exposure to interpersonal violence across childhood and adulthood
- Linkages to national health, education, employment and social welfare registries will provide comprehensive life-course data
Limitations
This is a cohort profile describing study design and baseline findings rather than evaluation of an intervention outcome. The document provides limited detail on effect sizes or specific outcome measures beyond describing that difficulties exist.
Abstract
Purpose Childhood maltreatment is common and associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes, yet few large, well-designed longitudinal studies follow children and adolescents with substantiated maltreatment over time. The Norwegian Triple-S Cohort Study was established to recruit and follow children and adolescents, together with their non-offending caregiver, to identify key risk and resilience factors and understand long-term health and functioning. Participants The cohort invites children and adolescents aged 5-18 years with substantiated maltreatment, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or exposure to domestic violence. Participants attend the Stine Sofie Centre, a national learning and coping centre for families affected by maltreatment in Norway. At intake, both the child/adolescent and the non-offending caregiver are invited to participate. Participants are followed at regular intervals after enrolment, typically at 2-year intervals, and, with consent, survey data can be linked to national health, education, employment and social welfare registries. As of June 2026, 733 caregivers and 325 adolescents aged 12-18 years had completed baseline questionnaires. Recruitment is ongoing and will continue until the cohort reaches approximately 1500 participating children and adolescents. Findings to date Data collection includes information on children and adolescents' maltreatment type, mental and somatic health, behavioural and neurodevelopmental symptoms, self-harm and suicidality, sleep, social relationships, school functioning, health behaviours and service use. Caregiver data cover mental and physical health, self-harm and suicidality, interpersonal victimisation across the life course, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, parenting practices, family dynamics and relationship quality and perceived service needs. Published analyses have documented substantial mental health and sleep difficulties, impaired school functioning and high levels of non-suicidal self-harm among children and adolescents exposed to maltreatment. Other studies have shown considerable variation in service use and coordination, and that emotional, relational and practical barriers may hinder disclosure. Analyses of caregiver data have also highlighted both relational strengths and areas of difficulty in parenting, as well as socioeconomic vulnerability among mothers with cumulative exposure to interpersonal violence across childhood and adulthood. Future plans Continued follow-up will enable detailed investigation of long-term outcomes after substantiated childhood maltreatment, including trajectories of mental health, education, work participation and service use. The cohort will be used to identify key risk and protective factors, including intergenerational patterns of adversity and resilience. Planned linkages to national registries will provide comprehensive life-course data, and additional data collection within the cohort through qualitative interviews is intended to offer deeper insight into the lived experiences of children and caregivers. Findings will inform prevention efforts and contribute to improved service delivery and coordination for maltreated children and their families.