SIPA

The SIPA subgroup (coordinated by Oddrun Samdal and Bente Wold) is particularly involved in studies on quality of life, subjective health complaints and health related behaviours among adolescents.

Theoretically their research is based on socialization theory, health behaviour theory, and concepts and models borrowed from positive psychology as well as research on social stress and coping. The group is involved in large-scale, cross-sectional studies such as the World Health Organization study on Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) (http://www.hbsc.org/). HBSC data collections (nation-wide) are conducted in an increasing number of countries (43 countries in 2005/2006), and the international data bank from this study is administered by the SIPA subgroup. SIPA is also involved in prospective longitudinal studies (The Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behaviour Study) as well as large-scale field experiments.

The group is responsible for several evaluation studies such as the European Network of Health Promoting Schools, Second Step, and Daily Physical Activity and Healthy Meals in schools. External funding has been obtained from a number of sources, for instance the European Union, the Norwegian Research Council, and the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation.

Link to the SIPA website