The articles in Ungsinn are all systematic reviews published as articles about the effects of individual interventions and treatment available in Norway. These, and most of the additional information on the website, are therefore in Norwegian. However, an English abstract is available for each article.
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Systematic reviews on the effects of individual interventions
Each article is a systematic review of the effects of the intervention. The summaries are formulated according to an explicit procedure in order to be as comparable as possible and to best respond to the research question, “Is the intervention effective when used in ordinary practice in Norway?” Thus, there are specific routines and criteria for collection of background information, selection of relevant literature, assessment of various quality aspects and, finally, classification of the intervention.
About which types of interventions does Ungsinn conduct systematic reviews?
”Interventions” refer to methods, efforts, treatment or programs designed to promote mental health and to prevent or treat mental health difficulties and illnesses. For example, parent training programs meant to promote positive interaction between parents and children, treatment or prevention of behavioral problems in children and youth, programs to create a positive school environment and reduce bullying or courses to teach youth to cope with and reduce depression. The interventions may be offered in by schools or kindergartens, or by services such as the child welfare service, specialist health care, school health care service, health clinics, educational and pedagogical services or the Family’s House.
The research question
The research question for all of the articles in Ungsinn is as follows: Is intervention X effective when delivered in general practice in Norway? The question is answered based on a systematic collection and review of documentation and empirical studies. The conclusion is summarized in an evaluation and classification, whereby each intervention is classified in one of 6 (5+1) levels of evidence.
| Levels of evidence |
| Level 5: Intervention with a strong documentation of effectiveness. |
| Level 4: Intervention with a satisfactory documentation of effectiveness. |
| Level 3: Intervention with some documentation of effectiveness |
| Level 2: Theoretically-based intervention |
| Level 1: Well described intervention |
| Level 0: Ineffective intervention |
The articles in Ungsinn distinguish themselves from other systematic reviews for which the primary objective is to judge the evidence of the effects of interventions regardless of where the studies are performed or how general the research question is. Through a national mandate, we at Ungsinn strive to summarize knowledge on the effects of interventions used in Norway. Therefore, only interventions available in Norway are included in Ungsinn, and the classifications are primarily based on Nordic studies. In selecting studies for the review, it is emphasized that the interventions in the studies are the same ones that are used in Norwegian practice. Thus, the journal Ungsinn should be viewed as complementary to other systematic reviews and meta-analyses that, for example, are based on non-Nordic studies or that have other research questions besides evaluating the effects of specific interventions.
What can the articles in Ungsinn be used for?
Information from Ungsinn can provide the basis for important decisions such as determining which interventions an organization or service should implement. The organizations themselves, and other decision-makers, may use the information from the reviews to develop services that are built on the best knowledge available. For example, it may be used as part of strategic planning carried out by local politicians (e.g., All schools in our municipality will work systematically for a positive school environment with the help of school-based programs documented as effective). It may also be used for decisions based on a local analysis of what is needed (e.g., We meet many youth with depression. Which intervention/s can we offer to best help them?). Furthermore, the information may be used for academic recommendations to organizations (e.g., Parents of children aged 3-11 with behavioral problems should be offered evidence-based parent training programs). Additionally, the information can be used for decisions by national authorities on which intervention should be disseminated s to benefit the largest number of children, youth and families. This may be done, for example through political means such as decrees, financing of dissemination or financial incentives for implementing an intervention. The summary provided by Ungsinn may also lay the foundation for decisions on areas or interventions that require further research.
Target groups
The journal Ungsinn is thus primarily directed at professionals and decision-makers in the service apparatus, but also towards researchers, authorities and other actors who play a role in decisions regarding which interventions should be implemented, evaluated and disseminated in Norway.
The text above is taken and translated from Martinussen, M., Reedtz, C., Eng, H., Neumer, S. P., Patras, J., & Mørch, W.T. (2016). Ungsinn – kriterier og prosedyrer for vurdering og klassifisering av tiltak. [Ungsinn – Criteria and procedures for evaluation and classification of interventions]. Tromsø: UiT The Arctic University of Norway