Lisa Govasli Nilsen

• Dale, Maria Teresa Grønning; Nissen, Alexander; Skauge, Anja Duun; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Strøm, Ida Frugård & Aakvaag, Helene Flood (2026). Measuring trauma and violence exposure: comparing telephone and web survey modes across two population samples. European Journal of Psychotraumatology. 17(1). doi: 10.1080/20008066.2026.2685930. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Monitoring the prevalence of violence is necessary to design adequate policies and mitigate adverse consequences. Methodological debate persists, particularly regarding survey modality for assessing violence and trauma exposure. Objective: This study compares interviewer-administered telephone surveys (CATI) with web- based self-administered surveys across feasibility, safety, sample representativeness, and measurement equivalence. Method: Participants aged 18–74 were randomly drawn from the Norwegian National Population Registry (telephone: n = 4,299; web: n = 1,074). The telephone survey achieved a 25.3% response rate among those reached, while the web survey yielded 10.7%. Using identical violence measures, data were analysed with multivariable logistic regression. Results: Web recruitment was considerably faster (86.2% completed in the first month vs. 2.4% by telephone) and had sixfold lower costs per interview. The CATI survey was quota-based, resulting in sample differences (men 51.1% vs. 37.0%; mean age 48.2 vs. 45.5; age 70–74: 8.9% vs. 3.3%). Several prevalence estimates were comparable, including lifetime forcible rape (7.9% vs. 8.9%), past year less severe physical violence (2.9% in both), and partner control (15.5% vs. 16.9%). Adjusted models showed lower odds in the web survey for severe adulthood physical violence (aOR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.61–0.82) and childhood physical violence (severe aOR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.54–0.96; less severe aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.96). Odds were higher for image-based sexual violations in the web survey (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.04–1.88), particularly among women (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.22–2.41; interaction p = .028). A slightly higher proportion of respondents reported distress and a need for follow-up after participation. Conclusions: Web-based surveys offer substantial efficiency advantages, yet differences in sample composition and variation in several prevalence estimates highlight the importance of considering representativeness, respondent safety, and reporting conditions. Mixed-mode strategies may help improve sample diversity and disclosure

• Stene, Lise Eilin; Glad, Kristin Alve; Stensland, Synne Øien Blixt; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Dyb, Grete Anita (2025). Proactive psychosocial follow-up of youth exposed to a terrorist attack: longitudinal study linking interviews and register-based data. BJPsych Open. 11(2). doi: 10.1192/bjo.2024.838. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Stene, Lise Eilin (2023). The short-term impact of terrorism on public mental health: an emergency primary care approach. BMC Public Health. 23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17240-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Terrorist attacks commonly have mental health consequences for those directly affected. Existing research is, however, divided when it comes to how and whether terrorist attacks affect the general population’s mental health. There is a need for studies investigating a broader range of mental health reactions to understand more about how different groups of the population are affected by terrorist attacks, while also illuminating important systemic factors. Methods In this study we investigated whether there was any change in the number of consultations with out-of-hours emergency primary care for psychological reactions in association with the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway. Data covering the entire Norwegian population’s primary care contacts in 2008–2013, where the reason for encounter was coded as psychological concerns or psychiatric disorders, were studied. A time series intervention analysis, using ARIMA modelling, was used to estimate whether there was indeed a change in healthcare utilisation associated with the terrorist attacks. Results The analysis uncovered an increase in contacts with emergency primary care by the overall population for mental health concerns associated with the terrorist attacks. When divided into groups according to geographical proximity to attacks, no significant change was found in the area closest to the attack in Oslo, whereas an increase was found for the rest of the country. There was also heterogeneity across different age groups. An increase was found among youths, young adults, and middle-aged people, but not the other age groups, and an increase was found for both men and women. Conclusions These findings highlight the need for primary care services to be prepared to meet mental health reactions in the general population when planning for healthcare provision in the aftermath of terrorism. Simultaneously, it should be noted that needs may vary across different groups of the population.

• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli (2023). The Framing of the Terrorist Threat in Health Contingency: Implications for Response. European Journal for Security Research. ISSN 2365-0931. 8, p. 43–62. doi: 10.1007/s41125-023-00094-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Terrorist attacks threaten the security of states and individuals, and often spur widespread state responses once they have occurred. Recent research has focused on health contingency in relation to terrorism and unveiled divergence in terms of how European countries approach this task. To understand more about this divergence, it is relevant to investigate how states define the issue of terrorism in contingency policies. The current study utilized theories of framing as part of policymaking and document analysis with a thematic analysis approach, to scrutinize to what extent terrorism was framed as a security issue in health contingency in relation to terrorist attacks in Norway and France, and how this affected policy outcomes. The analysis unveiled that a securitized frame was not prominent in the Norwegian approach to health contingency. In the French material, however, terrorism was described as a threat to national security. Second, terrorism response within the healthcare field was described as a form of “nonmilitary defense,” clearly positioning the healthcare system in the response to this national security threat. The framing of terrorism in policy documents was linked to diverging policy responses in the two countries. The most distinct difference is that victims of terrorism hold particular rights in France, but not in Norway. This entails that in France, the definition of terrorism, and whether specific events are defined as terrorism or not, in part become decisive for the help received.

• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Stene, Lise Eilin (2023). Preparing for the unexpected: a comparative study of policies addressing post-terror health reactions in Norway and France. International Journal of Mental Health Systems. 17(1). doi: 10.1186/s13033-023-00582-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background In the wake of terrorist attacks, protecting the health and psychosocial wellbeing of those affected and the general population, are important tasks for the healthcare system. The responses to such emergencies are often complex, including different phases and many actors, and may unveil insufficiencies that incite reforms to existing systems. Recently, initiatives have been promoted to strengthen cooperation and coordination regarding the governance of health threats in Europe. Comparative research is requested on how states prepare for health emergencies such as terrorist attacks. This study investigated how governments in two European countries with universal health coverage prepared to address the civilian population’s health needs after terrorist attacks, and the factors that contributed to shaping their chosen approach. Methods Utilizing document analysis and Walt and Gilson’s model for the analysis of health policy, national plans for post-terror health responses in Norway and France were studied with a focus on context, process, content, and actors. Results Whereas target groups for psychosocial care and certain measures were similar in both cases, the contents of prescribed policies and the actors responsible for enacting them differed. One of the most distinct differences was to what extent specialized mental healthcare was relied upon to provide psychosocial follow-up in the emergency phase. In the French approach, specialized mental healthcare practitioners, such as psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses, provided early psychosocial support. In contrast, the Norwegian approach relied on interdisciplinary primary care crisis teams in the local municipalities to provide early psychosocial support, with further involvement of specialized mental healthcare if this was considered necessary. Historical, political, and systemic differences contributed to the variation in the countries’ responses. Conclusions This comparative study highlights the complexity and diversity of health policy responses to terrorist attacks across countries. Moreover, challenges and opportunities for research and health management in response to such disasters, including possibilities and potential pitfalls for the coordination of this work across Europe. An important first step could be to map out existing services and practices across countries to better understand if and how common core elements for psychosocial follow-up might be implemented internationally.

• Stene, Lise Eilin; Vuillermoz, Cécile; Overmeire, Roel Van; Bilsen, Johan; Dückers, Michel & Nilsen, Lisa Govasli [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Psychosocial care responses to terrorist attacks: a country case study of Norway, France and Belgium. BMC Health Services Research. 22. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-07691-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The international terrorism threat urges societies to invest in the planning and organization of psychosocial care. With the aim to contribute to cross-national learning, this study describes the content, target populations and providers of psychosocial care to civilians after terrorist attacks in Norway, France and Belgium. Methods We identified and reviewed pre- and post-attack policy documents, guidelines, reports and other relevant grey literature addressing the psychosocial care response to terrorist attacks in Oslo/Utøya, Norway on 22 July 2011; in Paris, France on 13 November 2015; and in Brussels, Belgium on 22 March 2016. Results In Norway, there was a primary care based approach with multidisciplinary crisis teams in the local municipalities. In response to the terrorist attacks, there were proactive follow-up programs within primary care and occupational health services with screenings of target groups throughout a year. In France, there was a national network of specialized emergency psychosocial units primarily consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses organized by the regional health agencies. They provided psychological support the first month including guidance for long-term healthcare, but there were no systematic screening programs after the acute phase. In Belgium, there were psychosocial intervention networks in the local municipalities, yet the acute psychosocial care was coordinated at a federal level. A reception centre was organized to provide acute psychosocial care, but there were no reported public long-term psychosocial care initiatives in response to the attacks. Conclusions Psychosocial care responses, especially long-term follow-up activities, differed substantially between countries. Models for registration of affected individuals, monitoring of their health and continuous evaluation of countries’ psychosocial care provision incorporated in international guidelines may strengthen public health responses to mass-casualty incidents.

• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Hafstad, Gertrud Sofie & Dyb, Grete (2019). Sosiale medier etter katastrofer. In Dyb, Grete & Jensen, Tine Kristin (Ed.), Å leve videre etter katastrofen: Stressreaksjoner og oppfølging etter traumer. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205522602. p. 118–124. Full text in Research Archive
• Jensen, Tine Kristin; Stene, Lise Eilin; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Haga, Jon Magnus & Dyb, Grete (2019). Tidlig intervensjon og behandling. In Dyb, Grete & Jensen, Tine Kristin (Ed.), Å leve videre etter katastrofen: Stressreaksjoner og oppfølging etter traumer. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205522602. p. 141–165. Full text in Research Archive
• Langballe, Åse; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Schultz, Jon-Håkon (2019). Å skape mening i det meningsløse. Ungdoms erfaringer fra deltakelse i egne rettsprosesser. In Dyb, Grete & Jensen, Tine Kristin (Ed.), Å leve videre etter katastrofen: Stressreaksjoner og oppfølging etter traumer. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205522602. p. 125–140. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Thoresen, Siri; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Dyb, Grete (2019). Trust after Terror: Institutional trust among young terror survivors and their parents after the 22nd of July terrorist attack on Utøya island, Norway. Frontiers in Psychology. 10:2819, p. 1–10. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02819. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In the aftermath of terrorist attacks and disasters, public institutions play an important role in re-establishing safety and justice. However, little is known about the importance of institutional trust for victims’ potential for healing in the aftermath of mass trauma. This study examines levels of post-terror trust in the police and in the justice system among young survivors from the 2011 Utøya terror attack and their parents. Furthermore, it investigates how institutional trust develops over time among directly affected populations, and whether it is associated with psychological distress. 325 survivors and 463 parents were interviewed face-to-face at wave one (4–5 months post-terror) and 285 survivors and 435 parents at wave two (14–15 months). Levels of institutional trust in victims were compared to general population data from the European Social Survey adjusted for age, gender, and ethnic background. Measures included trust in the police and justice system, post-traumatic stress reactions, anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Trust in the police among survivors and parents was higher than or comparable to trust levels in the general population at wave one, but decreased for survivors and parents at wave two. Trust in the justice system was higher among those directly affected than in the general population, and increased from wave one to wave two. Levels of institutional trust were negatively associated with distress for survivors in both waves and for parents in wave two. Levels of institutional trust were positively associated with perceived quality of life in parents and survivors. Directly affected groups’ institutional trust differed from that of the general population following the terrorist attack, although being directly affected did not necessarily imply weakened institutional trust. This study found trust to be institution specific, however, trust in institutions changed with time, and the passing of time might be an important factor in better understanding whether trust will generalize across institutions or not. Institutional trust was negatively associated with psychological distress. This finding highlights the potential for institutions to create a healing post-disaster environment.

• Bugge, Ingrid; Jensen, Tine Kristin; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Ekeberg, Øivind; Dyb, Grete & Diseth, Trond H (2018). Psychosocial care for hospitalized young survivors after the terror attack on Utøya Island: A qualitative study of the survivors’ experiences. Injury. ISSN 0020-1383. p. 1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2018.10.024. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Hafstad, Gertrud Sofie; Staksrud, Elisabeth & Dyb, Grete (2018). Five reasons for using social media among young terror survivors: Results from the Utøya study. Computers in Human Behavior. ISSN 0747-5632. 84, p. 285–294. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.03.006. Full text in Research Archive

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• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Stene, Lise Eilin (2022). Preparing for the unexpected: Comparing plans for post-terror health response in Norway and France. Full text in Research Archive
• Stene, Lise Eilin; Dückers, Michel; Vuillermoz, Cécile; Overmeire, Roel Van; Bilsen, Johan & Nilsen, Lisa Govasli [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Psychosocial care to civilians affected by terrorist attacks in Norway (2011), France (2015), Belgium (2016), and the Netherlands (2019). Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Stene, Lise Eilin (2021). Preparing for the unexpected: A comparative study of policy responses addressing post-terror health reactions in Norway and France. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Hafstad, Gertrud Sofie; Staksrud, Elisabeth & Dyb, Grete (2018). Bruk av sosiale medier etter terror. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Thoresen, Siri; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Dyb, Grete (2018). Institutional Trust after Terror. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Stene, Lise Eilin; Glad, Kristin Alve; Hafstad, Gertrud Sofie & Dyb, Grete (2017). Oppfølgingen av de som overlevde på Utøya: Erfaringer med tiltakene fra det offentlige hjelpeapparatet. Full text in Research Archive
• Askeland, Ingunn Rangul; Holt, Tonje; Moen, Linda Holen & Nilsen, Lisa Govasli (2016). Behandlingstilbudet til barn og unge som er utsatt for og som utøver vold og seksuelle overgrep. Full text in Research Archive
• Askeland, Ingunn Rangul; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Moen, Linda Holen (2016). Behandlingstilbud til barn og unge med problematisk eller skadelig seksuell atferd i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Langballe, Åse & Dyb, Grete (2016). “Men hva er det egentlig ment for?” Voldsoffererstatning til de overlevende etter terrorangrepet på Utøya. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli & Dyb, Grete (2016). «Men hva er det egentlig ment for?» Voldsoffererstatning til de overlevende etter terrorangrepet på Utøya 22. juli 2011. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli (2016). Utøyaoffer tveksamma till "blodspengar". [Radio]. Sveriges Radio. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli (2016). Utøya-erstatning føltes som blodpenger. [Journal]. Vårt Land. Full text in Research Archive
• Stensland, Synne Øien Blixt; Glad, Kristin Alve; Carlyle, Molly; Andreassen, Anne Lie; Undset, Andrea Barsnes & Lægreid, Eivor Indrebø [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). 25. juni-studien: Opplevelser og reaksjoner hos de direkte rammede etter terrorangrepet i Oslo 25. juni 2022. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress. ISSN 9788281221925. Full text in Research Archive
• Bækkelund, Harald; Glad, Kristin Alve; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Stene, Lise Eilin & Andreassen, Anne Lie (2024). Studie om overlevende og pårørende etter Alexander L. Kielland-ulykken. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Stene, Lise Eilin; Dyrstad, Karin & Buhaug, Halvard (2023). In the Aftermath of Terrorism: Individual trauma, sociopolitical reactions and institutional response. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet. ISSN 9788232667307. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Norsk sammedrag Når terror rammer kan dette få helsemessige og politiske konsekvenser, på både individ- og samfunnsnivå. Vi mangler imidlertid fremdeles kunnskap både om hvordan befolkningen reagerer når terroren rammer og om hvordan land best kan forberede seg på å håndtere konsekvensene av terrorangrep. Gjennom å kombinere tilnærminger fra helseforskning og statsvitenskap, samt kvantitative og kvalitative metoder, hadde denne avhandlingen som hensikt å fremskaffe ny empirisk kunnskap om reaksjoner og responser til terrorhandlinger. Mer spesifikt undersøkte jeg i hvilken grad terrorangrep etterfølges av psykologiske reaksjoner i ulike grupper av befolkningen, og hvorvidt det er sosiopolitiske implikasjoner av dette. Dette ble først gjort på befolkningsnivå ved å studere kontakter med legevakt grunnet psykiske sykdommer og plager i hele den norske befolkningen etter terrorangrepet i 2011. Resultatene viser at det var en økning i kontakter med legevakt grunnet psykiske plager rett etter angrepene. Økningen var imidlertid mer utpreget i enkelte befolkningsgrupper. For å forstå mer om hvordan terroreksponering er knyttet til sosiopolitiske reaksjoner, ble det også studert hvordan det å være direkte eksponert for et terrorangrep påvirker institusjonell tillit. Gjennom en sammenligning av intervjudata fra overlevende etter terrorangrepet på Utøya i 2011 og befolkningsdata for den generelle norske befolkningen, fant vi en sammenheng mellom psykiske helseplager og lavere institusjonell tillit hos de direkte berørte. Samtidig fant vi at de direkte berørte ikke nødvendigvis har lavere institusjonell tillit enn den generelle befolkningen. I tillegg ble det undersøkt hva som former og karakteriserer myndighetenes respons til helsekonsekvenser som følger av terrorangrep, ved hjelp av dokumentanalyse av planer og retningslinjer for helseoppfølging etter terror i Norge, Frankrike og Belgia. Her viser funnene at tilnærmingen til helse- og psykososial oppfølging etter terror varierte mellom de studerte landene, til tross for at det eksisterer internasjonale retningslinjer. Våre funn tyder på at karakteristikker ved det politiske systemet, helsesystemet i hvert av landene, landenes ulike erfaringer med terror fra tidligere, samt det internasjonale kunnskapsgrunnlaget for hva som utgjør anbefalt praksis, er viktige i utformingen av et lands tilnærming til helseoppfølging etter terror. Terrorangrep er mulige helsetrusler, som samtidig er politiske handlinger med politiske konsekvenser. For å øke vår forståelse av hvordan terrorangrep påvirker oss som samfunn og individer, og hvordan vi best kan forberede oss til å håndtere dem, er en integrering av helse- og statsvitenskapelig forskning nyttig.

• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Stene, Lise Eilin; Glad, Kristin Alve; Hafstad, Gertrud Sofie & Dyb, Grete (2017). Oppfølgingen av de som overlevde på Utøya. Erfaringer med tiltakene fra det offentlige hjelpeapparatet. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress. ISSN 9788281221147. Full text in Research Archive
• Holt, Tonje; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Moen, Linda Holen & Askeland, Ingunn Rangul (2016). Behandlingstilbudet til barn som er utsatt for og som utøver vold og seksuelle overgrep: En nasjonal kartleggingsundersøkelse. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress. ISSN 9788281221031. Full text in Research Archive
• Askeland, Ingunn Rangul; Moen, Linda Holen; Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Kruse, Anja Emilie; Hjemdal, Ole Kristian & Holt, Tonje (2016). Behandlingstilbudet til voksne som utøver vold: En nasjonal kartleggingsundersøkelse. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress. ISSN 9788281221055. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Lisa Govasli; Langballe, Åse & Dyb, Grete (2016). "Men hva er det egentlig ment for?" Voldsoffererstatning til de overlevende etter terrorangrepet på Utøya 22. juli 2011. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress. ISSN 9788281220935. Full text in Research Archive

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