Publications by category
Journal articles
Borek A, McDonald B, Fredlund M, Bjornstad GJ, Logan GS, Morris C (2018). Healthy Parent Carers programme: development and feasibility of a novel group-based health-promotion intervention.
BMC Public Health,
18, 270-270.
Full text.
Whybra L, Warner G, Bjornstad GJ, Hobbs T, Brook L, Wrigley Z, Berry V, Ukoumunne O, Matthews J, Taylor R, et al (2018). The effectiveness of Chance UK’s mentoring programme in improving behavioural and emotional outcomes in primary school children with behavioural difficulties: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 6, 9-9.
Axford N, Warner G, Hobbs T, Heilmann S, Raja A, Berry V, Ukoumunne O, Matthews J, Eames T, Kallitsoglou A, et al (2018). The effectiveness of the Inspiring Futures parenting programme in improving behavioural and emotional outcomes in primary school children with behavioural or emotional difficulties: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 6, 3-3.
Underwood MK, Bjornstad GJ (2016). Children’s emotional experience of peer provocation: the relation between observed behaviour and self-reports of emotions, expressions, and social goals. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 25(4), 320-330.
Clarkson S, Axford N, Berry V, Edwards RT, Bjornstad G, Wrigley Z, Charles J, Hoare Z, Ukoumunne OC, Matthews J, et al (2016). Effectiveness and micro-costing of the KiVa school-based bullying prevention programme in Wales: study protocol for a pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial.
BMC Public Health,
16Abstract:
Effectiveness and micro-costing of the KiVa school-based bullying prevention programme in Wales: study protocol for a pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND: Bullying refers to verbal, physical or psychological aggression repeated over time that is intended to cause harm or distress to the victims who are unable to defend themselves. It is a key public health priority owing to its widespread prevalence in schools and harmful short- and long-term effects on victims' well-being. There is a need to strengthen the evidence base by testing innovative approaches to preventing bullying. KiVa is a school-based bullying prevention programme with universal and indicated elements and an emphasis on changing bystander behaviour. It achieved promising results in a large trial in Finland, and now requires testing in other countries. This paper describes the protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) of KiVa in Wales. METHODS/DESIGN: the study uses a two-arm waitlist control pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster RCT design with an embedded process evaluation and calculation of unit cost. Participating schools will be randomised a using a 1:1 ratio to KiVa plus usual provision (intervention group) or usual provision only (control group). The trial has one primary outcome, child self-reported victimisation from bullying, dichotomised as 'victimised' (bullied at least twice a month in the last couple of months) versus 'not victimised'. Secondary outcomes are: bullying perpetration; aspects of child social and emotional well-being (including emotional problems, conduct, peer relations, prosocial behaviour); and school attendance. Follow-up is at 12 months post-baseline. Implementation fidelity is measured through teacher-completed lesson records and independent school-wide observation. A micro-costing analysis will determine the costs of implementing KiVa, including recurrent and non-recurrent unit costs. Factors related to the scalability of the programme will be examined in interviews with head teachers and focus groups with key stakeholders in the implementation of school-based bullying interventions. DISCUSSION: the results from this trial will provide evidence on whether the KiVa programme is transportable from Finland to Wales in terms of effectiveness and implementation. It will provide information about the costs of delivery and generate insights into factors related to the scalability of the programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23999021 Date 10-6-13.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Full text.
Axford N, Farrington DP, Clarkson S, Bjornstad GJ, Wrigley Z, Hutchings J (2015). Involving parents in school-based programmes to prevent and reduce bullying: what effect does it have?. Journal of Children's Services, 10(3), 242-251.
Lee S, Drake E, Pennucci A, Bjornstad G, Edovald T (2012). Economic evaluation of early childhood education in a policy context. Journal of Children's Services, 7(1), 53-63.
Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Montgomery P, Gardner F (2009). Child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children who have been physically abused. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
Gardner F, Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Tao X, Montgomery P (2009). Family therapy for children who have been physically abused. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
Montgomery P, Bjornstad G, Dennis J (2008). Cochrane review: Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children. Evidence-Based Child Health: a Cochrane Review Journal, 2(4), 1154-1190.
Montgomery P, Bjornstad G, Dennis J (2006). Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children.
Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online)(1).
Abstract:
Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children.
BACKGROUND: Many approaches are used to address behavioural problems in childhood including medication or, more usually, psychological treatments either directly with the child and/or his/her family. Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions have been shown to be highly effective but access to these treatments is limited due to factors such as time and expense. Presenting the information parents need in order to manage these behaviour problems in booklet or other media-based format would most likely reduce the cost and increase access to these interventions. OBJECTIVES: to review the effects of media-based cognitive-behavioural therapies for any young person with a behavioural disorder (diagnosed using a recognised instrument) compared to standard care and no-treatment controls. SEARCH STRATEGY: the following electronic databases were systematically searched: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2005), EMBASE (1980 to August 2005), PsycINFO (1887 to August 2005), CINAHL (1982 to August 2005), Biosis (1985 to August 2005) and Sociofile (1974 to August 2005). References in all selected trials were checked for other trials and experts in the field were contacted for additional information. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (e.g. trials which used sequential randomisation) of media-based behavioural treatments for behaviour problems in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Abstracts and titles of studies identified from searches of electronic databases were read to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. Full copies of those possibly meeting these criteria from electronic or other searches were assessed by the reviewers and queries were resolved by discussion. Data were analysed using RevMan 4.2. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven studies including 943 participants were included within this review. In general, media-based therapies for behavioural disorders in children had a moderate, if variable, effect when compared with both no-treatment controls with effects sizes ranging from -0.12 (-1.65, 1.41) to -32.60 (-49.93, -15.27) and as and adjunct to medication with effect sizes ranging from -2.71 (-5.86, -0.44) to -39.55 (-75.01, -4.09). Significant improvements were made with the addition of up to two hours of therapist time. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: These formats of delivering behavioural interventions for carers of children are worth considering in clinical practice. Media-based interventions may, in some cases, be enough to make clinically significant changes in a child's behaviour, and may reduce the amount of time primary care workers have to devote to each case. They can also be used as the first stage of a stepped care approach. Consequently this would increase the number of families who could possibly benefit from these types of intervention, releasing clinician time that can be reallocated to more complex cases. Media-based therapies would therefore appear to have both clinical and economic implications as regards the treatment of children with behavioural problems.
Abstract.
Bjornstad GJ (2005). Family therapy for attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
Underwood MK, Scott BL, Galperin MB, Bjornstad GJ, Sexton AM (2004). An Observational Study of Social Exclusion Under Varied Conditions: Gender and Developmental Differences. Child Development, 75(5), 1538-1555.
Reports
Axford N, Lowther K, Timmons L, Bjornstad GJ, Brook L, Webb L, Sonthalia S (2018).
Rapid review on safeguarding to inform the Healthy Child Programme 5 to 19. London, Public Health England.
Full text.
Axford N, Barlow J, Coad J, Schrader-McMillan A, Bjornstad G, Berry VL, Wrigley Z, Goodwin A, Ohlson C, Sonthalia S, et al (2015).
Rapid review to update evidence for Healthy Child Programme 0-5. London, Public Health England.
Full text.
Publications by year
2018
Borek A, McDonald B, Fredlund M, Bjornstad GJ, Logan GS, Morris C (2018). Healthy Parent Carers programme: development and feasibility of a novel group-based health-promotion intervention.
BMC Public Health,
18, 270-270.
Full text.
Axford N, Lowther K, Timmons L, Bjornstad GJ, Brook L, Webb L, Sonthalia S (2018).
Rapid review on safeguarding to inform the Healthy Child Programme 5 to 19. London, Public Health England.
Full text.
Whybra L, Warner G, Bjornstad GJ, Hobbs T, Brook L, Wrigley Z, Berry V, Ukoumunne O, Matthews J, Taylor R, et al (2018). The effectiveness of Chance UK’s mentoring programme in improving behavioural and emotional outcomes in primary school children with behavioural difficulties: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 6, 9-9.
Axford N, Warner G, Hobbs T, Heilmann S, Raja A, Berry V, Ukoumunne O, Matthews J, Eames T, Kallitsoglou A, et al (2018). The effectiveness of the Inspiring Futures parenting programme in improving behavioural and emotional outcomes in primary school children with behavioural or emotional difficulties: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 6, 3-3.
2016
Underwood MK, Bjornstad GJ (2016). Children’s emotional experience of peer provocation: the relation between observed behaviour and self-reports of emotions, expressions, and social goals. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 25(4), 320-330.
Clarkson S, Axford N, Berry V, Edwards RT, Bjornstad G, Wrigley Z, Charles J, Hoare Z, Ukoumunne OC, Matthews J, et al (2016). Effectiveness and micro-costing of the KiVa school-based bullying prevention programme in Wales: study protocol for a pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial.
BMC Public Health,
16Abstract:
Effectiveness and micro-costing of the KiVa school-based bullying prevention programme in Wales: study protocol for a pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND: Bullying refers to verbal, physical or psychological aggression repeated over time that is intended to cause harm or distress to the victims who are unable to defend themselves. It is a key public health priority owing to its widespread prevalence in schools and harmful short- and long-term effects on victims' well-being. There is a need to strengthen the evidence base by testing innovative approaches to preventing bullying. KiVa is a school-based bullying prevention programme with universal and indicated elements and an emphasis on changing bystander behaviour. It achieved promising results in a large trial in Finland, and now requires testing in other countries. This paper describes the protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) of KiVa in Wales. METHODS/DESIGN: the study uses a two-arm waitlist control pragmatic definitive parallel group cluster RCT design with an embedded process evaluation and calculation of unit cost. Participating schools will be randomised a using a 1:1 ratio to KiVa plus usual provision (intervention group) or usual provision only (control group). The trial has one primary outcome, child self-reported victimisation from bullying, dichotomised as 'victimised' (bullied at least twice a month in the last couple of months) versus 'not victimised'. Secondary outcomes are: bullying perpetration; aspects of child social and emotional well-being (including emotional problems, conduct, peer relations, prosocial behaviour); and school attendance. Follow-up is at 12 months post-baseline. Implementation fidelity is measured through teacher-completed lesson records and independent school-wide observation. A micro-costing analysis will determine the costs of implementing KiVa, including recurrent and non-recurrent unit costs. Factors related to the scalability of the programme will be examined in interviews with head teachers and focus groups with key stakeholders in the implementation of school-based bullying interventions. DISCUSSION: the results from this trial will provide evidence on whether the KiVa programme is transportable from Finland to Wales in terms of effectiveness and implementation. It will provide information about the costs of delivery and generate insights into factors related to the scalability of the programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23999021 Date 10-6-13.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Full text.
2015
Axford N, Farrington DP, Clarkson S, Bjornstad GJ, Wrigley Z, Hutchings J (2015). Involving parents in school-based programmes to prevent and reduce bullying: what effect does it have?. Journal of Children's Services, 10(3), 242-251.
Axford N, Barlow J, Coad J, Schrader-McMillan A, Bjornstad G, Berry VL, Wrigley Z, Goodwin A, Ohlson C, Sonthalia S, et al (2015).
Rapid review to update evidence for Healthy Child Programme 0-5. London, Public Health England.
Full text.
2012
Lee S, Drake E, Pennucci A, Bjornstad G, Edovald T (2012). Economic evaluation of early childhood education in a policy context. Journal of Children's Services, 7(1), 53-63.
2009
Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Montgomery P, Gardner F (2009). Child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children who have been physically abused. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
Gardner F, Bjornstad GJ, Ramchandani P, Tao X, Montgomery P (2009). Family therapy for children who have been physically abused. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
2008
Montgomery P, Bjornstad G, Dennis J (2008). Cochrane review: Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children. Evidence-Based Child Health: a Cochrane Review Journal, 2(4), 1154-1190.
2006
Montgomery P, Bjornstad G, Dennis J (2006). Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children.
Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online)(1).
Abstract:
Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children.
BACKGROUND: Many approaches are used to address behavioural problems in childhood including medication or, more usually, psychological treatments either directly with the child and/or his/her family. Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions have been shown to be highly effective but access to these treatments is limited due to factors such as time and expense. Presenting the information parents need in order to manage these behaviour problems in booklet or other media-based format would most likely reduce the cost and increase access to these interventions. OBJECTIVES: to review the effects of media-based cognitive-behavioural therapies for any young person with a behavioural disorder (diagnosed using a recognised instrument) compared to standard care and no-treatment controls. SEARCH STRATEGY: the following electronic databases were systematically searched: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2005), EMBASE (1980 to August 2005), PsycINFO (1887 to August 2005), CINAHL (1982 to August 2005), Biosis (1985 to August 2005) and Sociofile (1974 to August 2005). References in all selected trials were checked for other trials and experts in the field were contacted for additional information. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials (e.g. trials which used sequential randomisation) of media-based behavioural treatments for behaviour problems in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Abstracts and titles of studies identified from searches of electronic databases were read to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. Full copies of those possibly meeting these criteria from electronic or other searches were assessed by the reviewers and queries were resolved by discussion. Data were analysed using RevMan 4.2. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven studies including 943 participants were included within this review. In general, media-based therapies for behavioural disorders in children had a moderate, if variable, effect when compared with both no-treatment controls with effects sizes ranging from -0.12 (-1.65, 1.41) to -32.60 (-49.93, -15.27) and as and adjunct to medication with effect sizes ranging from -2.71 (-5.86, -0.44) to -39.55 (-75.01, -4.09). Significant improvements were made with the addition of up to two hours of therapist time. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: These formats of delivering behavioural interventions for carers of children are worth considering in clinical practice. Media-based interventions may, in some cases, be enough to make clinically significant changes in a child's behaviour, and may reduce the amount of time primary care workers have to devote to each case. They can also be used as the first stage of a stepped care approach. Consequently this would increase the number of families who could possibly benefit from these types of intervention, releasing clinician time that can be reallocated to more complex cases. Media-based therapies would therefore appear to have both clinical and economic implications as regards the treatment of children with behavioural problems.
Abstract.
2005
Bjornstad GJ (2005). Family therapy for attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2).
2004
Underwood MK, Scott BL, Galperin MB, Bjornstad GJ, Sexton AM (2004). An Observational Study of Social Exclusion Under Varied Conditions: Gender and Developmental Differences. Child Development, 75(5), 1538-1555.