Swedish Norm Research Articles

Long term inguinal pain comparing TEP to Lichtenstein repair: the TEPLICH RCT 8years follow-up.

To investigate long-term chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP), QoL and recurrence in patients with a primary inguinal hernia comparing TEP to Lichtenstein. A questionnaire-based follow-up containing the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire (IPQ), the Cunningham Pain Scale and SF-36 was done 8years after the TEPLICH RCT. The main objective was non-ignorable pain last week according to IPQ. A phone interview was performed with patients reporting new non-ignorable pain and those having a suspected recurrence. Records were scanned for long-term CPIP and recurrences. A lost to follow-up analysis was performed. A total of 322 of 366 patients (88%) completed the follow-up of mean 7.94years (5-10.75years). Non-ignorable pain last week was reported by 7.6% in TEP and 6.7% in Lichtenstein (p < 0.73). New non-ignorable pain was reported by 5 patients. No difference in non-ignorable pain over time (1-8years) was observed within groups. Moderate to severe pain, according to Cunningham, was reported by 3.8% in TEP and 5.5% in Lichtenstein (p < 0.48). QoL remained above the Swedish norm. No recurrences occurred after 3years follow-up. The lost to follow-up analysis showed no difference in non-ignorable pain. RCTs, comparing TEP to Lichtenstein repair with follow-up ≥ 5years regarding CPIP are sparse with conflicting data. In this study, low frequencies of CPIP present at 3years seem to persist at 8years. Recurrences occured within the first 3years. Patients need to be informed of the risk of long-term CPIP.

Long-term linguistic outcome in adults with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common prenatal infection and the main infectious cause of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in developed countries. Long-term neuropsychological outcome of cCMV infection is still not well understood. This is the first study that presents linguistic follow-up data performed on adults who were infected in utero. Method All individuals from a universal newborn CMV screening study in Sweden sampled from 1977 to 1985 were invited to participate in a follow-up study. 34/71 persons (48%) with cCMV and 22/46 controls (48%) were enrolled. Participants were between 34 and 43 years. Linguistic ability was evaluated with two-word fluency tasks (FAS letter fluency and verb fluency), and a qualitative analysis of the participants’ word retrieval strategies was conducted. Results No statistically significant group differences were found in the total number of retrieved words. When related to Swedish norm data, 43% of participants with cCMV infection, all asymptomatic at birth, had adequate results on both FAS and verb fluency tasks, compared to 86% of the controls. Education level was the most important factor for word fluency ability in both groups. Adults with cCMV infection and higher education levels used less effective retrieval strategies on FAS letter fluency than controls. Conclusion This study suggests that adults with cCMV infection may have deficits in the word retrieval process, even in the absence of known neurodevelopmental disorders. Long-term effects of cCMV infection may exist even in those with asymptomatic infection at birth.

What changes during specialized foster care? A study on adaptive functioning and emotional and social problems

AbstractVarious models of specialized foster care have been developed, but research on them is limited. This longitudinal, exploratory study analysed data on adaptive functioning, emotional and social problems and self‐concept in a specialized foster care service in Sweden. The focus of the study was on the development of the children and young people in placement. The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS‐II) was used to measure adaptive functioning, and the Beck Youth Inventories of Emotional and Social Impairment (BYI) was used to measure self‐rated emotional and social problems and self‐concept. Self‐ratings showed significant improvements in disruptive behaviour, anger, anxiety and depression. Adaptive functioning as rated by foster parents improved but not enough to catch up with the non‐clinical norm group. The average adaptive functioning among the participants at baseline was considerably below the Swedish norm group. Similar to the results of a previous study of the same treatment model, children and young people rated improvement while their foster parents did not do so to the same extent. Possible explanations for this are discussed in the paper. The study is limited by the lack of a control group and by data attrition.

Parental age gaps among immigrants and their descendants: Adaptation across time and generations?

Age gaps between partners have undergone dramatic changes in high-income countries over the past century. Yet, there has been little focus on age gaps for immigrants and their descendants. This is an important omission because age gaps can be interpreted as a macro-level indicator of intergenerational adaptation. We examine the age gaps of biological parents (childbearing partners) among immigrants and their descendants in Sweden, a country with high gender equality and a stable mean age gap. Using longitudinal, whole-population data, we examine changes in age gaps for cohorts born 1950–86. Cohort trends in age gaps often follow very different patterns for male and female immigrants, with limited evidence of adaptation across cohorts. However, there is considerable evidence of adaptation towards the Swedish norm among the second generation, including from direct comparison between immigrants and their children. The largest differences between women and men are seen among the first generation with a Swedish-born partner.

„Tłumacz między kulturami” – o Macieju Zarembie-Bielawskim

The paper refers to this trend of hermeneutics, whose representatives understand the interpretation as "articulated understanding". The texting, including paraphrase, the translation of someone else's language, is a prerequisite for the existence of cultural space, so that a critical view and cognitive verification of another narrative is possible. In the case of Maciej Zaremba, we are dealing with a reporter who writes Swedish about Swedes as an outsider, that is – keeping the distance and ability to see what the Swedes do not want or cannot see with their own eyes. It explores the areas of action of the "Swedish norm", visible from the outside, invisible "from the inside", just as the recognition of otherness and a peculiar value of some culture is possible for foreigners. Natives themselves are not able to recognize their standards (also assess) without the participation of outsiders. For Zaremba, writing is an act of disagreement with the uncritical acceptance of otherness, while using critical negation language and analytical tools with a more conceited intention than an overtly damning one. In this new incarnation, the author himself calls himself a "translator between cultures", whose strength lies in the fact that he has retained the ability to marvel, to expand his imagination and to seek new language means, to clearly separate facts from opinions. It is a vision of a man building a bridge between two cultures, and his ideal is subjects of resistance and non-toxic communication standards are his ideal.

The Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A): Normative Data for a General Swedish Population Aged 60 to 93 Years.

Purpose of StudyTo gain Swedish norm value for the Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A) in a population 60–93+ years old stratified for sex and age and to relate these norm values with respect to number of chronic diseases and functional impairment.Materials and MethodsThe study population included a random sample of 2656 men (45.7%) and 3159 (54.3%) women from the longitudinal national studies’ “Good Aging in Skåne” (GÅS) and SNAC-B, both part of the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC). Data on Neugartens Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A), medical history, activities of daily life (ADL) and socio-demographics were collected through structured interviews and questionnaires.ResultsMen scored significantly higher than women; 28.5, sd=6.9, and 27.3, sd=6.6, respectively, out of maximum 40 points. For both genders the scores decreased with age, mean score 6.0 points, lower for men and 7.1 points lower for women between 60 and 93+ years. The highest score was noted for healthy individuals where both men and women scored 29.5 points, sd=6.2. Increased number of chronic diseases and dependency in ADLs were associated with lower LS.ConclusionNorm values here presented may facilitate assessments and evaluation of life satisfaction in the general elder population and as reference values to clinical trials. Female sex, rising age, morbidity and impaired functional ability were all associated with impaired LS.

Dutch Norms for the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory: Comparisons with other Western Countries

The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) is one of the most widely used and well-validated parent rating scales for children’s disruptive behavior. This screening instrument is a short, targetted and easy to implement inventory with good psychometric properties and is normed for different countries, among which the United States, Spain, Sweden and Norway. The ECBI has been successfully used for research and clinical purposes, in several countries including The Netherlands. To date, Dutch studies have relied on Scandinavian or US norm scores. However, this may be problematic because of cross-cultural differences in the degree to which certain behaviors are seen as problematic by parents. The main goal of this paper therefore was to obtain norm scores for The Netherlands among 6462 Dutch children aged 4 to 8 years (Mage = 6.37 years; SD = 1.32; 50.6% boys). In line with previous research, we found small differences on the mean sum scores across children of different ages (intensity scale) and gender (intensity and problem scale). Therefore, Dutch norm scores were provided age- and gender specific. Our results showed that disruptive behavior of children in the most rural areas was reported as occurring less frequently and was seen as less problematic by parents compared to the disruptive behavior of children in less rural areas. Finally, we found that Dutch norm scores on the ECBI were significantly lower than US norm scores, and significantly higher on the intensity scale (but not the problem scale) than Norwegian and Swedish norm scores.

Vulnerable parenting among mothers with substance abuse in their family of origin: a cross-sectional comparative study of mothers in an infant and toddler program.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether women raised in a family with substance abuse constitute a particularly vulnerable group of patients in an infant psychiatry setting and to identify the risk factors of suspected parental malfunctioning in women referred to treatment in an infant and toddler intervention program.BackgroundA history of family substance abuse can severely disrupt the caretaking abilities of parents in ways that can have far-reaching consequences, and children growing up with insufficient parental care may incorporate this deficiency into their own parental behavior.MethodsIn total, 126 mothers completed self-report questionnaires assessing their substance abuse and health problems as well as problems in their family of origin. The index group was defined as women who reported substance abuse in their family of origin (n = 35). The comparison group was defined as women who denied substance abuse in their family of origin (n = 91).ResultsSymptoms of depression and anxiety were overrepresented in the total group of mothers compared with the Swedish norm. The index group had experienced parental divorce and traumatic life events more often and reported earlier substance abuse of their own. They had significantly more depression and ADHD symptoms and were more often single parents. All these factors can have a negative influence, separately or in combination, on the ability to practice sensitive parenting.ConclusionsFemale offspring of substance-abusing parents are an especially vulnerable group of patients. To prevent the intergenerational transmission of alcohol and drug abuse, it is important to identify parents with specific needs and to administer targeted treatment and support at primary health care centers and child psychiatric clinics.

Pain rehabilitation with language interpreter, a multicenter development project

Abstract Aims To describe patients with persistent pain participating in multimodal rehabilitation with language interpreter (MMRI) with regard to demographic data, pain, anxiety, depression, fear of movement, health related quality of life before and after rehabilitation. Methods The university rehabilitation departments in Lund and Stockholm developed multimodal rehabilitation programmes for patients who cannot participate in ordinary programmes due to insufficient knowledge in Swedish. From 2014 to 2015, 50 patients participated in the MMRI. Data was collected at admission and discharge with instruments from the Swedish quality registry for pain rehabilitation. The assessments included health related quality of life (EQ5D), anxiety and depression (HADS), fear of movements (TSK), disability (PDI). Preliminary results Fifty patients participated in MMRI. Seventy-eight percent were women, and 88% were born outside Europe. Compared to patients participating in Swedish regular rehabilitation programmes (MMR), the level of education was low, 44% had finished high school (55% in MMR in Sweden) and 8% university (27% in MMR in Sweden). Also the distribution of pain differed; in MMRI 40% reported pain with varying localization compared to 33% in MMR. Both groups were frequent health care seekers, even though MMRl’s patients reported a higher frequency of visits than MMR regular patients; 94% of MMRl’s patients compared to 70% MMR patients were seeking physicians more than 4 times due to pain during the previous year. Both groups report very low health related quality of life. In the MMRI group, at admission, the EQ5Dindex was 0.088 (md) (MMR 0.157). This can be compared with 0.83, the value for the Swedish norm population. Conclusions Patients participating in MMRI, compared to patients participating in MMR, reported poorer health, higher rate of visit to physicians due to pain and less higher education than other, Swedish speaking pain patients attending to the country pain programmes.

Impact of Mesh Fixation on Chronic Pain in Total Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair (TEP): A Nationwide Register-based Study.

Mesh fixation is used to prevent recurrence at the potential risk for chronic pain in TEP. The aim was to compare the impact of permanent fixation (PF) with no fixation (NF)/nonpermanent fixation (NPF) of mesh on chronic pain after TEP repair for primary inguinal hernia. Men, 30 to 75 years old, consecutively registered in the Swedish Hernia Register for a TEP primary repair in 2005 to 2009, were included in a mail survey using SF-36 and the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire (IPQ). Primary endpoint was IPQ question "Did you have pain during past week that could not be ignored." Risk factors for chronic pain and recurrent operations were analyzed. A total of 1110 patients were included (325 PF, 785 NF/NPF) with 7.7% reporting pain at median 33 months follow-up. No difference regarding primary endpoint pain (P < 0.462), IPQ and SF-36 subscales were seen. Recurrent operation was carried out in 1.4% during 7.5 years follow-up with no difference between PF- and NF-groups including subgroups of medial hernias. All SF-36 subscale-scores were equal to or better than the Swedish norm. A postoperative complication was a risk factor for chronic pain (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.23-5.25, P < 0.023). The TEP procedure for primary inguinal hernia repair in men is associated with a low frequency of chronic pain and recurrent operations, with no difference between permanent fixation and no/nonpermanent fixation of mesh in a nationwide population-based study. TEP without fixation reduces costs and is safe for all patients.

Health-related quality of life at 2, 6 and 12 months after critical illness - lessons learnt from a nationwide follow-up of 4,500 ICU admissions

IntroductionThe development of intensive care medicine has led to improved survival of patients with complex illnesses and extensive injuries. Survivors are at risk of acquiring physical and functional deficits that may have negative effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The significance of measuring HRQoL has been underlined by critical care researchers since poor HRQoL is associated with an adverse prognosis.ObjectiveThe aim of this work was to examine the development of HRQoL at 2, 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge in a mixed ICU patient population with an ICU-stay > 96 hrs.MethodsWe analysed admissions during 2008-2014 to 49 ICUs that submitted follow-up data to the Swedish Intensive Care Registry (SIR, http://www.icuregswe.org). HRQoL was measured using the Short Form 36 (SF36) questionnaire at 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge from ICU. SF36 domains, age, gender, illness severity on admission (SAPS3 probabilities) and length of ICU-stay were analysed for the entire cohort and for important diagnostic groups. SF36 scores were compared to an age- and gender-adjusted Swedish normal population. Differences in SF36 domains were analysed using non-parametric methods. Medians and interquartile ranges are presented.ResultsComplete SF36 responses were analysed for 4453, 4019 and 2515 admissions at 2, 6 and 12 months, respectively. HRQoL at 2 months in patients that subsequently were lost to follow-up was generally similar to those with follow-up, but they were younger, less ill and had shorter ICU-stay. Full longitudinal data with complete SF36 responses were obtained in 1438 patients [Age: 66 yrs. (57-73 yrs.), female gender: 37.2%, SAPS3 prob: 0.36 (0.19-0.55), ICU-stay: 7.0 days (4.9-11.5 days)]. SF36 improved over time in all domains (P < 0.001, Table), although some domains remained stable from 6 to 12 months. Patterns of recovery differed between important diagnostic groups (i.e. sepsis, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, COPD, ARDS). A large proportion of patients (10-25% depending on SF36 domain) had HRQoL scores at 12 months which was below 2 standard deviations of the age- and gender-adjusted Swedish norm. The cardiac arrest group were among those with best, and the COPD group were among those with worst HRQoL at 12 months.ConclusionsHRQoL recovered over 12 months in critically ill patients with a prolonged ICU stay. Recovery varied between diagnostic groups and a large proportion of patients had markedly depressed HRQoL. These findings may have important implications for follow-up and care after critical illness.

Comparison of quality of life in patients with post-polio syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome with Swedish norm

Comparison of quality of life in patients with post-polio syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome with Swedish norm

Health‐related quality of life, mood, and patient satisfaction after epilepsy surgery in Sweden—A prospective controlled observational study

ObjectiveTo evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL), mood, and patient satisfaction in epilepsy surgery candidates before and 2 years after epilepsy surgery or presurgical investigation.MethodsIn this prospective study of 141 patients, 96 underwent surgery and 45 did not. Questionnaires at baseline and at 2-year follow-up included the generic 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), and operated patients answered patient satisfaction questions. SF-36 scores were compared with scores from a matched sample from the Swedish norm population. Numbers were calculated of patients achieving a minimum important change (MIC) in the SF-36 Physical Composite Summary (PCS) and Mental Composite Summary (MCS).ResultsAt baseline, patients had significantly lower values than the norm on all SF-36 domains. At follow-up, operated patients were divided into seizure-free (International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] class 1 and 2, n = 53) or with continued seizures (n = 43). No differences in baseline HAD or SF-36 values were found between these groups. Seizure-free patients reached the same levels as the norm in all SF-36 domains except Social Function. Operated patients with continued seizures and nonoperated patients had unchanged scores. Fifty-one percent of seizure-free patients had an improvement reaching MIC for PCS and 45% for MCS. Corresponding results for patients with continued seizures were 28% in PCS and 28% in MCS, for nonoperated 33% in PCS and 29% in MCS. HAD anxiety scores improved significantly in only the seizure-free patients. Of all operated patients, 80% were satisfied with having had surgery and 86% considered that they had benefited, whereas 20% thought that surgery caused some harm.SignificanceIn patients who were seizure-free after epilepsy surgery HRQOL normalized and anxiety decreased. Operated patients overwhelmingly considered epilepsy surgery to be beneficial. Nonetheless, only about half of the seizure-free patients achieved important HRQOL improvements, suggesting that seizure freedom does not in and of itself guarantee improved patient well-being.

The course of Health Related Quality of Life in postmenopausal women with breast cancer from breast surgery and up to five years post-treatment

BackgroundPrevious studies include too few patients over 70 years to be able to assess treatment effects on Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) in the older age group. We aimed to follow HRQOL in postmenopausal women (55–80 years) with breast cancer receiving adjuvant treatment, until five years post-treatment, and compare with a general population. Patients and methodsThe patient sample included 150 women (adjuvant CT n = 75 and RT n = 75) and two reference samples from the Swedish SF-36 norm database. ResultsData from baseline showed significantly higher levels of physical functioning and general health among the patients compared to the reference sample, and significantly lower levels of bodily pain, emotional role functioning and mental health. Longitudinal analyses showed significant changes in all scales, and three different patterns (a decrease-stable, a decrease-increase, and a stable- increase pattern) were identified. ConclusionPostmenopausal women seem to successfully manage the effects of adjuvant treatment on HRQOL.

Functioning and Quality of Life in Adults with Mild‐to‐Moderate Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The aim of this study was to describe physical activity, quality of and satisfaction with life, pain, joint mobility and muscle function in adults with mild-to-moderate osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) to form the basis of improved clinical care and physical therapy treatment. A total of 40 men and women aged between 21 and 71 years were identified and a prospective, cross-sectional study was performed on 29 (18 women) included participants. The participants had to be able to walk and to have a diagnosis of mild-to-moderate OI. Self-administered questionnaires and clinical examinations were used. Difficulties were found in all domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Activity and Health. Pain was reported in 25 of 29 participants and scoliosis was found in 23 participants. Difficulty to run was estimated in 18 participants. A total of 19 of 27 participants reported reaching the recommendations of 30 min of moderate-intensity activity preferably every day. Life satisfaction was high even though health-related quality of life, assessed with the Short Form 36, was significantly lower than the Swedish norm. Impairments and activity limitations involved pain, scoliosis, contractures as well as trouble with running, heavy lifting, heavy work and sports. This study show that individuals with mild-to-moderate OI perceive themselves as having decreased health-related quality of life and this seems to depend on decreased physical functioning. Despite that, as a group, they estimated high life satisfaction and 19 participants reported adhering to the general recommendation of 30 min of moderate-intensity activity preferably every day.

The transition to parenthood among the second generation: Evidence from Sweden, 1990–2005

Abstract We examine the transition to parenthood of the second generation, i.e., the children of immigrants, in Sweden 1990–2005, from a gender perspective using a longitudinal data set constructed from register data maintained by Statistics Sweden. The impact of education, labor market attachment, income, and national background on having a first birth is estimated for second generation men and women and contrasted to that of the native Swedish-born population and immigrants belonging to the 1.5 generation. We find that there is an adherence to a common pattern for the transition to parenthood that supports the notion of integration and adjustment among the second generation, via the 1.5 generation, to a Swedish childbearing norm, most likely supported by institutional factors and working through economic incentives. Labor market attachment and income are positively associated with the transition to parenthood, irrespective of gender and generation. Individuals outside of the labor force have reduced propensity to become first-time parents, especially students. Integration is more comprehensive among the second generation than for the 1.5 generation. Impacts are generally more articulate for women, which reflects that childbearing intervene differently with men's and women's life courses.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Untreated Versus Brace-Treated Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

The previous Scoliosis Research Society brace study (JBJS-A, 1995) included patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with moderate curve sizes (25 degrees -35 degrees). The Swedish patients in this study were examined in a long-term follow-up. The aim was to analyze and compare quality of life in adulthood between AIS patients who were only observed or treated with a brace during adolescence. Quality of life as measured by the SRS-22 has not previously been presented for adult untreated AIS patients. Forty patients who were only observed (due to a curve increase of less than 6 degrees until maturity), and 37 brace-treated patients attended the complete follow-up, including clinical and radiologic examination, and answered 2 quality of life questionnaires (SRS-22 and Short Form-36 [SF-36]). No differences were found between the groups in terms of age at follow-up (mean: 32 years), follow-up time after maturity (mean: 16.0 years), and curve size at inclusion (mean: 30 degrees) or at follow-up (mean: 35 degrees). The SRS-22/total score was a mean of 4.2 for braced patients and 4.1 for only observed patients. Neither total scores/subscales of the SRS-22 or SF-36 differed significantly between the groups. For the SF-36, no differences in relation to the Swedish age-matched norm scales were found for either group. Patients with moderate AIS report good quality of life in their 30s, as measured by both the SRS-22 and SF-36, regardless of whether they received no active treatment or were brace treated during adolescence. Neither of the groups displayed any difference compared with the age-matched norm groups for the SF-36.

Personality traits and mental health of severe drunk drivers in Sweden

The present study was intended to investigate personality characteristics and mental health of severe driving under influence (DUI) offenders in a Swedish cohort. More specifically the aim was to investigate the personality traits as assessed by The NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) and aspects of mental health as assessed by the symptom checklist (SCL-90) as compared to the general population. The subjects were 162 severe DUI offenders (with the BAC >0.099%) with an age range of 18-88 years, 143 males and 19 females. It was found that the openness to experience and conscientiousness scales of NEO-PI-R differentiated Swedish DUI offenders from Swedish norm population. The differences between the DUI group and the general population on the on SCL-90 scales were all significant except on the Hostility scale. Two main subtypes of DUI offenders identified were roughly comparable to types I and II alcoholics, as in Cloninger's typology. Among all the scales used (personality traits, psychiatric comorbidity and alcohol use), the only factor that was predictive for future relapses to drunk driving was the factor of depression.

Disability and health status in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Purpose. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. The purpose of this study was to describe disability and health status in patients with CIDP in Sweden.Methods. All 22 adult patients with CIDP at the Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge were invited to participate. Twenty-one patients performed all measures. Their mean age was 54 years. The following measures were used: vibration perception threshold (VPT); the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS); the Berg Balance Scale; finger dexterity using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT); functional mobility using the Timed ‘Up and Go’ Test; health status with the SF-36 questionnaire.Results. Fifty-seven per cent of the patients had a higher thumb and ankle VPT than published normative data. The FSS showed that 38% scored over 5, indicating severe fatigue. The majority of the patients had reduced functional balance. Sixty-two per cent had a subnormal result on the NHPT. Results of the SF-36 showed lower scores than the Swedish norm on the sub-scales describing physical health.Conclusions. The majority of the patients with CIDP had disabilities and decreased physical health status. The presence of fatigue may be taken into consideration in immunomodulatory treatments and during physical rehabilitation.

Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form (CTQ-SF)

Childhood maltreatment is delicate to assess both in clinical work and in research. There is a need for assessment tools that can be easily administered in an ethical and non-intrusive way that meets requirements of conceptual validity for various types of maltreatment and is sensitive to levels of severity. This study explores the psychometric properties of the Swedish translation of one such tool—the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form (CTQ-SF; Bernstein and Fink, 1998). The CTQ-SF was administered to seven samples (total n=659)—five clinical samples and two non-clinical student samples. The factor structure supports the construct validity of the global maltreatment scale, four of the five maltreatment subscales (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional neglect) and the minimization/denial (MD) scale, but not the physical neglect (PN) subscale. All items are highly correlated with their respective subscale. The discriminant validity is satisfactory. Highly significant correlation with social desirability gives further support for the MD-scale and to the recommendation of how to apply it. Internal consistency of PN is acceptable and for all other scales satisfactory. Swedish norm groups tend to score lower than similar American norm groups on abuse scales but higher on the neglect scales. Percentiles for seven gender-specific norm groups are presented. The weaknesses of the PN-scale are discussed and new constructs are proposed. The Swedish version of the CTQ-SF has the same construct validity and internal consistency as the original, including less homogeneity of the PN scale.