The ABCs of Mental Health

Research output

Research output per year 2015 2020 2021 2022 2025

• 39 Journal article
• 5 Net publication - Internet publication
• 3 Conference abstract for conference
• 2 Book chapter
• 4 More
  • 1 Report
  • 1 Paper
  • 1 Comment/debate
  • 1 Conference abstract in journal

Research output per year

Research output per year

Search results

• 2025

  ABCs of mental health - For sustainable and resilient communities in Denmark

  Nielsen, L. & Meilstrup, C. B., May 2025, (Accepted/In press).

  Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference abstract for conference › Communication

• Internal structure, reliability and cross-cultural validity of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale in three European populations

  Yadav, P., Arias de Torre, J., Bakolis, I., Bartoll, X., Casajuana Kogel, C., Colom Farran, J., Dregan, A., Garcia Forero, C., Botella-Juan, L., Martin, V., Molina, A., Mortier, P., Nielsen, L., Perez, K., Puertolas, B., Ronaldson, A., Santini, Z., Schiaffino, A., Serrano-Blanco, A. & Stewart-Brown, S. & 3 others, Valderas, J., Alonso, J. & Vilagut, G., 2025, In: BMJ mental health. 28, 1, p. 1-7 7 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File

• Students’ perspectives on mental health promoting resources at a university campus – findings from a photovoice study

  Nielsen, L., Madsen, C. S., Meilstrup, C. B. & Nelausen, M. K., 25 Mar 2025.

  Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference abstract for conference › Research › peer-review

• Tværfaglig tænkning i universitetsundervisning - Erfaringer fra et valgfag i mental sundhedsfremme

  Nielsen, L., Juul Jensen, C., Vangkilde, S., Meilstrup, C. B. & Nelausen, M. K., 5 Feb 2025, In: Dansk Universitetspædagogisk Tidsskrift. 20, 37

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
• 2024

  Measuring mental health promoting behaviours – Development and validation of a scale to measure ABC-behaviour

  Meilstrup, C. B., Nielsen, L., Nelausen, M. K., Madsen, C. S. & Koushede, V. J., 2024.

  Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference abstract for conference › Communication

• Social Media Addiction Predicts Compromised Mental Health as well as Perceived and Objective Social Isolation in Denmark: A Longitudinal Analysis of a Nationwide Survey Linked to Register Data

  Santini, Z. I., Thygesen, L. C., Andersen, S., Tolstrup, J. S., Koyanagi, A., Nielsen, L., Meilstrup, C., Koushede, V. & Ekholm, O., 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access
  1 Citation (Scopus)

• The ABCs of mental health at the university: a multi-level intervention design for promoting mental well-being

  Nielsen, L., Bermejo-Martins, E., Nelausen, M. K., Madsen, C. S., Riva, E., Koushede, V. J. & Meilstrup, C. B., 9 Oct 2024, In: Frontiers in Public Health. 12, p. 1382393

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
  1 Citation (Scopus)

• Together at Social Sciences – Mental Health Promotion at the University Setting

  Nielsen, L., Madsen, C. S., Bermejo Martins, E., Koushede, V. J., Nelausen, M. K. & Meilstrup, C. B., 2024.

  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › Research › peer-review
• 2023

  Engagement with arts and culture activities in the Danish general population: Longitudinal associations with new onset or persistent depression and mental wellbeing

  Santini, Z. I., Thygesen, L. C., Krokstad, S., Bonde, L. O., Donovan, R. J., Koushede, V., Jensen, A., Koyanagi, A. & Ekholm, O., 2023, In: British Journal of Health Psychology. 28, 3, p. 844-859

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  4 Citations (Scopus)

  41 Downloads (Pure)

• Pain and associated functional impairment in the Danish general population: the role of mental well-being

  Santini, Z. I., Ekholm, O., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-brown, S., Nielsen, L., Meilstrup, C., Koushede, V. & Thygesen, L. C., Dec 2023, In: Journal of Public Mental Health. 22, 4, p. 230-244

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
  1 Citation (Scopus)

• Together at Social Sciences: the ABCs of mental health at the university

  Nielsen, L., Madsen, C., Nielsen, L., Nelausen, M. & Meilstrup, C., 2023, In: Population Medicine. 5, p. 374-375 2 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference abstract in journal › Research › peer-review

  Open Access
• 2022

  Challenging leisure activities and mental health: are they more beneficial for some people than for others?

  Santini, Z. I., Koushede, V., Hinrichsen, C., Nelausen, M. K., Madsen, K. R., Meilstrup, C., Koyanagi, A. & Nielsen, L., 2022, In: Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 26, 1, p. 34-46

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  5 Citations (Scopus)

  74 Downloads (Pure)

• Dansk studie giver hint til, hvordan du kan forbedre dit mentale helbred

  Meilstrup, C. B., Nielsen, L., Donovan, R. & Koushede, V. J., 29 May 2022, Videnskab.dk.

  Research output: Other contribution › Net publication - Internet publication › Communication

• Der er brug for en national handleplan for børn og unges mentale helbred

  Jeppesen, P., Obel, C., Lund, L., Madsen, K. B., Nielsen, L. & Nordentoft, M., 2022, In: Ugeskrift for Læger. 2022, 1

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › Research

  Open Access

• Economics of mental wellbeing: A prospective study estimating associated productivity costs due to sickness absence from the workplace in Denmark

  Santini, Z. I., Thygesen, L. C., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-Brown, S., Meilstrup, C., Nielsen, L., Olsen, K. R., Birkjær, M., McDaid, D., Koushede, V. & Ekholm, O., Dec 2022, In: Mental Health and Prevention. 28, 200247.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  6 Citations (Scopus)

  61 Downloads (Pure)

• Higher levels of mental wellbeing predict lower risk of common mental disorders in the Danish general population

  Santini, Z. I., Ekholm, O., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-Brown, S., Meilstrup, C., Nielsen, L., Fusar-Poli, P., Koushede, V. & Thygesen, L. C., 2022, In: Mental Health & Prevention. 26, 10 p., 200233.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  24 Citations (Scopus)

  78 Downloads (Pure)

• Impact evaluation of the “ABCs of Mental Health” in Denmark and the role of mental health-promoting beliefs and actions

  Santini, Z. I., Nelausen, M. K., Kusier, A. O., Hinrichsen, C., Schou-Juul, F., Madsen, K. R., Meilstrup, C., Donovan, R. J., Koushede, V. & Nielsen, L., 2022, In: Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 21 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  14 Citations (Scopus)

  136 Downloads (Pure)

• Intersectoral mental health promotion: A practice-oriented taxonomy of roles and a study of intersectoral dynamics

  Hinrichsen, C., Nielsen, L., Tamminen, N., Nelausen, M. K., Kusier, A. O., Santini, Z. I., Schou-Juul, F., Meilstrup, C. B., Rod, M. H., Koushede, V. J. & Lauridsen, S., 2022, In: SSM - Mental Health. 2, 9 p., 100136.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  38 Downloads (Pure)

• Mental health: New study finds simply believing you can do something to improve it is linked with higher wellbeing

  Santini, Z. I., Meilstrup, C. B., Nielsen, L., J Donovan, R. & Koushede, V. J., 11 May 2022, The Conversation.

  Research output: Other contribution › Net publication - Internet publication › Communication

  Open Access

• Mental health and the risk of negative social life events: A prospective cohort study among the adult Danish population

  Christensen, A. I., Davidsen, M., Koushede, V. & Juel, K., 2022, In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. 50, 2, p. 189-198 10 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  6 Citations (Scopus)

  35 Downloads (Pure)

• The Act-Belong-Commit ‘ABCs of Mental Health’ campaign for mental health promotion

  Meilstrup, C. B., Koushede, V. J., Donovan, R. J., Krokstad, S., Mohr, M., Hall, E. & Santini, Z. I., 2022, In: Open Access Government. 36, p. 182-183

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Communication

  Open Access

• The workings of an action learning program for building mental health promotion capacity: A realist evaluation

  Hinrichsen, C., Nelausen, M. K., Nielsen, L., Santini, Z. I., Meilstrup, C., Rod, M. H., Koushede, V. & Lauridsen, S., Jun 2022, In: Evaluation and Program Planning. 92, 102080.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  4 Citations (Scopus)

  75 Downloads (Pure)
• 2021

  Cumulative risk of compromised physical, mental and social health in adulthood due to family conflict and financial strain during childhood: A retrospective analysis based on survey data representative of 19 European countries

  Santini, Z. I., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-Brown, S., Perry, B. D., Marmot, M. & Koushede, V., 29 Mar 2021, In: BMJ Global Health. 6, 3, e004144.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  20 Citations (Scopus)

  18 Downloads (Pure)

• Economics of mental well-being: a prospective study estimating associated health care costs and sickness benefit transfers in Denmark

  Santini, Z. I., Becher, H., Jørgensen, M. B., Davidsen, M., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Madsen, K. R., Meilstrup, C., Koyanagi, A., Stewart-Brown, S., McDaid, D. & Koushede, V., Sept 2021, In: European Journal of Health Economics. 22, 7, p. 1053-1065

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  19 Citations (Scopus)

  44 Downloads (Pure)

• Mental health economics: A prospective study on psychological flourishing and associations with healthcare costs and sickness benefit transfers in Denmark

  Santini, Z. I., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Nelausen, M. K., Meilstrup, C., Koyanagi, A., McDaid, D., Lyubomirsky, S., VanderWeele, T. J. & Koushede, V., Dec 2021, In: Mental Health and Prevention. 24, 13 p., 200222.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  8 Citations (Scopus)

  31 Downloads (Pure)

• Mental health groups in high school students and later school dropout: A latent class and register-based follow-up analysis of the Danish National Youth Study

  Andersen, S., Davidsen, M., Nielsen, L. & Tolstrup, J. S., 2021, In: BMC Psychology. 9, 1, 11 p., 122.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  8 Citations (Scopus)

  58 Downloads (Pure)

• Mental wellbeing is not just beneficial for you – it can also lead to lower healthcare costs

  Santini, Z. I., McDaid, D., Stewart-Brown, S. & Koushede, V. J., 5 May 2021, The Conversation.

  Research output: Other contribution › Net publication - Internet publication › Communication

  Open Access

• Participation in social leisure activities may benefit mental health particularly among individuals that lack social connectedness at work or school

  Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Madsen, K. R., Nelausen, M. K., Meilstrup, C., Koyanagi, A., Koushede, V. & Santini, Z. I., 16 Nov 2021, In: Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 25, 4, p. 341–35

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
  19 Citations (Scopus)

• Social Disconnectedness, Loneliness, and Mental Health Among Adolescents in Danish High Schools: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

  Santini, Z. I., Pisinger, V., Madsen, K. R., Nielsen, L., Nelausen, M. K., Koyanagi, A., Koushede, V., Roffey, S., Thygesen, L. C. & Meilstrup, C. B., 12 Apr 2021, In: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access
  42 Citations (Scopus)

• Sociale relationer, fællesskab og social kapital

  Nielsen, L. & Holstein, B. E., 2021, Forebyggende sundhedsarbejde. 7 ed.

  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research

• Twenty-one reasons for implementing the act-belong-commit—‘abcs of mental health’ campaign

  Donovan, R. J., Koushede, V. J., Drane, C. F., Hinrichsen, C., Anwar-Mchenry, J., Nielsen, L., Nicholas, A., Meilstrup, C. & Santini, Z. I., 1 Nov 2021, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18, 21, 12 p., 11095.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  19 Citations (Scopus)

  134 Downloads (Pure)
• 2020

  Associations Between Multiple Leisure Activities, Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents in Denmark: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

  Santini, Z. I., Meilstrup, C., Hinrichsen, C., Nielsen, L., Koyanagi, A., Koushede, V., Ekholm, O. & Madsen, K. R., 21 Dec 2020, In: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 14, 10 p., 593340.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  21 Citations (Scopus)

  27 Downloads (Pure)

• Formal social participation protects physical health through enhanced mental health: A longitudinal mediation analysis using three consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

  Santini, Z. I., Jose, P. E., Koyanagi, A., Meilstrup, C. R., Nielsen, L., Madsen, K. R. & Koushede, V., Apr 2020, In: Social Science & Medicine. 251, p. 1-9 112906.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  85 Citations (Scopus)

  122 Downloads (Pure)

• Implementing Mental Health Promotion Initiatives—Process Evaluation of the ABCs of Mental Health in Denmark

  Hinrichsen, C., Koushede, V., Madsen, K. R., Nielsen, L., Ahlmark, N. G., Santini, Z. I. & Meilstrup, C. R., 11 Aug 2020, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17, 16, p. 1-26 5819.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  10 Citations (Scopus)

  84 Downloads (Pure)

• Measuring positive mental health and flourishing in Denmark: Validation of the mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF) and cross-cultural comparison across three countries

  Santini, Z. I., Torres-Sahli, M., Hinrichsen, C., Meilstrup, C., Madsen, K. R., Rayce, S. B., Baker, M. M., Ten Have, M., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. & Koushede, V. J., 2020, In: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 18, 1, 297.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  28 Citations (Scopus)

  44 Downloads (Pure)

• Predictors of high and low mental well-being and common mental disorders: findings from a Danish population-based study

  Santini, Z. I., Stougaard, S., Koyanagi, A., Ersbøll, A. K., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Madsen, K. R., Meilstrup, C., Stewart-Brown, S. & Koushede, V., 27 Feb 2020, In: European Journal of Public Health. p. 1-7

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  42 Citations (Scopus)

  85 Downloads (Pure)

• Self-efficacy and social competence reduce socioeconomic inequality in emotional symptoms among schoolchildren

  Meilstrup, C. B., Holstein, B. E., Nielsen, L., Due, P. & Koushede, V., 1 Feb 2020, In: European Journal of Public Health. 30, 1, p. 80-85

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  12 Citations (Scopus)

  191 Downloads (Pure)

• Social activity can be good for mental health, but whether you benefit depends on how many friends you have

  Santini, Z. I., Jose, P. E., Dunbar, R. I. M. & Koushede, V. J., 28 Oct 2020, The Conversation.

  Research output: Other contribution › Net publication - Internet publication › Communication

• Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans (NSHAP): a longitudinal mediation analysis

  Santini, Z. I., Jose, P. E., York Cornwell, E., Koyanagi, A., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Meilstrup, C. R., Madsen, K. R. & Koushede, V., 2020, In: The Lancet Public Health. 5, p. e62-70 9 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  1055 Citations (Scopus)

  75 Downloads (Pure)

• The application of salutogenesis to communitywide mental health promotion: The Act-Belong-Commit/ABC’s of Mental Health Campaign and framework. In the 2nd Handbook of Salutogenesis, Mittelmark M (ed). Book chapter. Springer 2020.

  Koushede, V. J. & J Donovan, R., 1 Jan 2020, The Handbook of Salutogenesis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_44. Mittelmark, M. (ed.). Springer, Cham, p. 479-490

  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Communication

  Open Access

• The moderating role of social network size in the temporal association between formal social participation and mental health: a longitudinal analysis using two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

  Santini, Z. I., Jose, P. E., Koyanagi, A., Meilstrup, C., Nielsen, L., Madsen, K. R., Hinrichsen, C., Dunbar, R. I. M. & Koushede, V., 9 Oct 2020, In: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 12 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  40 Citations (Scopus)

  26 Downloads (Pure)
• 2019

  Formal Volunteer Activity and Psychological Flourishing in Scandinavia: Findings from Two Cross-sectional Rounds of the European Social Survey

  Santini, Z. I., Meilstrup, C. B., Hinrichsen, C., Nielsen, L., Koyanagi, A., Krokstad, S., Keyes, C. L. M. & Koushede, V., Jun 2019, In: Social Currents. 6, 3, p. 255-269

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  19 Citations (Scopus)

  164 Downloads (Pure)

• Measuring mental well-being in Denmark: Validation of the original and short version of the Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale (WEMWBS and SWEMWBS) and cross-cultural comparison across four European settings

  Koushede, V., Lasgaard, M., Hinrichsen, C., Meilstrup, C. R., Nielsen, L., Rayce, S. L. B., Torres-Sahli, M., Gudmundsdottir, D. G., Stewart-Brown, S. & Santini, Z. I., 2019, In: Psychiatry Research. 271, January, p. 502-509

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  114 Citations (Scopus)

  550 Downloads (Pure)
• 2018

  Act-Belong-Commit Indicators Promote Mental Health and Wellbeing among Irish Older Adults

  Santini, Z. I., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Meilstrup, C. B., Koyanagi, A., Haro, J. M., Donovan, R. J. & Koushede, V., Nov 2018, In: American Journal of Health Behavior. 42, 6, p. 31-45

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  21 Citations (Scopus)

  228 Downloads (Pure)

• Here’s a mental health workout that’s as simple as ABC

  Santini, Z. I., Donovan, R. & Koushede, V., 14 Aug 2018, The Conversation.

  Research output: Other contribution › Net publication - Internet publication › Communication

• Mental sundhed til alle: ABC i teori og praksis

  Koushede, V., 2018, Syddansk Universitet. Statens Institut for Folkesundhed.

  Research output: Book/Report › Report › Communication

  Open Access
• 2017

  School transition and mental health among adolescents: A comparative study of school systems in Denmark and Australia

  Nielsen, L., Shaw, T., Meilstrup, C. B., Koushede, V., Bendtsen, P., Rasmussen, M., Lester, L., Due, P. & Cross, D., 2017, In: International Journal of Educational Research. 83, p. 65-74

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  20 Citations (Scopus)

  265 Downloads (Pure)

• The association between Act-Belong-Commit indicators and problem drinking among older Irish adults: Findings from a prospective analysis of the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA)

  Santini, Z. I., Nielsen, L., Hinrichsen, C., Tolstrup, J., Vinther, J. L., Koyanagi, A., J Donovan, R. & Koushede, V. J., 2017, In: Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 180, p. 323-331 9 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  10 Citations (Scopus)

  250 Downloads (Pure)

• The protective properties of Act-Belong-Commit indicators against incident depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment among older Irish adults: Findings from a prospective community-based study

  Santini, Z. I., Koyanagi, A., Tyrovolas, S., Haro, J. M., Donovan, R. J., Nielsen, L. & Koushede, V., 2017, In: Experimental Gerontology. 91, p. 79-87

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

  Open Access

  File
  34 Citations (Scopus)

  241 Downloads (Pure)

• ‘Mental health is what makes life worth living’: an exploration of lay people’s understandings of mental health in Denmark

  Nielsen, L., Sørensen, B. B., Donovan, R. J., Tjørnhøj-Thomsen, T. & Koushede, V., 2017, In: International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. 19, 1, p. 26-37

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
  16 Citations (Scopus)