Tony Tan

• Ofstad, Sverre Berg; Tan, Tony & Andersson, Björn (2026). Comparing the difficulty of elective subjects in high school using a population-based Norwegian registry. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. ISSN 0031-3831. doi: 10.1080/00313831.2026.2648976. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  When grade point averages (GPAs) are used for admission into tertiary education, there is an implicit assumption that any two identical GPAs convey the same level of academic competency. However, this assumption does not hold when students are free to choose elective subjects and there are differences in their difficulty and dimensionality. In this study, we utilized item response theory to examine dimensionality and difficulty of 11 elective subjects in Norwegian high school, while accounting for self-selection bias, using data from 21,666 third year students. Our results show that the GPA is best represented as a multidimensional construct. Additionally, we demonstrate that the selection bias in observed subject grade averages for electives conceals considerable differences in difficulty levels. Hence, the GPA of Norwegian high school students does not only reflect academic competency but also the decisions made regarding which elective subjects to take.

• Skulberg, Katrine; Tan, Tony; Thøgersen, Dagfinn Mørkrid; Taraldsen, Knut & Bjørnebekk, Gunnar (2025). Multisystemic Therapy for Adolescents Through the COVID-19 Pandemic in Norway. Journal of Child and Family Studies. ISSN 1062-1024. 35, s. 124–140. doi: 10.1007/s10826-025-03222-9. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Multiple studies have demonstrated that Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an effective treatment for youths with serious conduct problems. This study aims to investigate the extent to which Norway’s MST was affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns and to examine the factors associated with treatment outcomes before and during the pandemic using a natural comparison group design. It included 2,021 adolescents (63.4% boys; Mage = 14.83, SDage = 1.60), and their families were referred to the MST for serious and persistent conduct problems. Treatment outcomes were compared among three temporal groups: A: fully prior to, B: partly prior to and C: during the pandemic. The Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) and five behavioral treatment goals were assessed at intake and discharge. In addition, the five behavioral goals were assessed through parent interviews at 6-, 12-, and 18-month post-treatment. A decline in treatment fidelity was evident post-COVID-19 onset, and some subgroups experienced reduced benefits. Treatment fidelity was more strongly associated with treatment outcomes post-pandemic. Latent growth curve models revealed that boys entering MST post-pandemic had advantageous rates of behavioral improvements. Although most of the MST participants demonstrated progress in behavioral outcomes, several youths showed regress in treatment outcomes as the pandemic set in. Further studies are needed to identify factors particularly sensitive of subgroups of adolescents for deriving MST benefits in crisis situations.

• Hagen, Tor Løstegaard; Tan, Tony; Thøgersen, Dagfinn Mørkrid & Bjørnebekk, Gunnar (2025). Functional family therapy across the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology. 16. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1531738. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The present study examines the effectiveness of the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) program in Norway through the COVID-19 pandemic using archival data. Since Norway's national lockdowns imposed significant disruptions on program delivery, concerns arose regarding FFT's effectiveness during the public health emergency; however, this hypothesis remained untested. This exploratory study uses a multigroup quasi-experimental design by comparing clients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data includes 518 adolescents and their families referred to FFT for serious and persistent antisocial behavior. The mean age of the youth was 14.2 years and the representation between boys and girls was close to equal (49.4% girls). Statistical analyses showed that clients' attributes at admission remained stable, and FFT remained effective in bringing about behavioral improvements and risk reductions throughout the pandemic. Additionally, regression results suggested that older clients tended to have greater reductions in behavioral problems and risk levels before lockdowns; however, this age effect disappeared after the onset of COVID. Clients returning home from institutional care reported stronger behavioral gains, whereas those living in foster homes showed less favorable risk outcomes. Collectively, these results suggest that both the FFT target population and treatment outcomes remained stable despite disruptions in program delivery during the pandemic.

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• Ofstad, Sverre Berg; Tan, Tony & Andersson, Björn (2025). Comparing Elective Subject Difficulty Using a Joint Item Response Theory Model. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

Se alle arbeider i NVA