Idunn Brekke

Affiliation

Idunn Brekke has a master in Sociology (2001) and a PhD in Sociology from Department of Sociology and Human Geography (UIO). Her main research interests are sickness absence, social inequality in health, labour market, disability, minorities, youth and education. She teach in quantitative methods.

Research projects

Completed research projects

HIRE? A Mixed-method Examination of Disability and Employers Inclusive Working Life Practices
Employers' understandings of disability as well as their broader knowledge and skills are likely to influence their risk assessments and hiring practices. HIRE? aims to fill this knowledge gap.
Social and Digital Participation
The aim of the project is to map the degree of social participation and the scope of social networks among children and young people with physical disabilities.
Direct and Indirect Costs of Disabilities in Children (BUDGET)
The research project addresses the costs aspects of caring for a child with a disability.
Socio-spatial Inequality among Families with Children with Disabilities who are Entitled to Cash Benefits and Welfare Services (UPTAKE)
The research project will provide insight into the uptake and delivery of benefits and services among parents of children with disabilities.
Consequences of the Pandemic for Living Conditions and Equality
In this project we will investigate the consequences of the pandemic for living conditions for children and young people, equality in families and for individuals, including children and adults with disabilities.
Nye krav til helse og kompetanse i arbeidsmarkedet?
Prosjektet tar for seg mulige endringer i krav til kvalifikasjoner og helse som arbeidstakerne nå står overfor.

Publications and research

Scientific publications (42)

Wondemu, Michael Yisfashewa; Hermansen, Åsmund; Joranger, Pål; Brekke, Idunn (2026). Mothers’ return to work after a first-born child with a disability: evidence from Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. p. 1-10
Brekke, Idunn; Alecu, Andreea I.; Ohrazda, Celestia; Lee, Jiwon (2024). Implications of Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder for Maternal Employment: United States vs. Norway. Maternal and Child Health Journal. Vol. 28. p. 1707-1715
Alecu, Andreea Ioana; Brekke, Idunn; Holmstrøm, Henrik; Syse, Astri (2024). Uptake of cash benefits among children with a disability in Norway: The role of parental socioeconomic characteristics and immigrant background. International Journal of Social Welfare. Vol. 34
Wondemu, Michael Yisfashewa; Hermansen, Åsmund; Joranger, Pål; Brekke, Idunn (2024). Sickness absence among mothers caring for a child with disability: Examining the impact of mechanical and psychosocial occupational exposures. SSM - Population Health. Vol. 25
Skjønsberg, Eia Elena; Brekke, Idunn; Christie, Helen Johnsen; Johnsen, Astri; Skar, Ane-Marthe Solheim (2024). International Child Development Programme (ICDP). Kvello, Øyvind; Lorås, Lennart (Ed.). Håndbok i foreldreveiledning. Fagbokforlaget
Grøtvedt, Halldis Niesser; Varvin, Sverre; Vladisavljević, Ivana; Trivuncic, Bojana; Brekke, Idunn (2024). A cross- sectional study of refugees in Norway and Serbia: Levels of mental distress and social-demographic risk factors. Journal of Migration and Health. Vol. 10
Brekke, Idunn; Alecu, Andreea Ioana; Ugreninov, Elisabeth; Suren, Pål; Evensen, Miriam (2023). Educational achievement among children with a disability: do parental resources compensate for disadvantage?. SSM - Population Health. Vol. 23
Brekke, Idunn; Alecu, Andreea Ioana (2023). The health of mothers caring for a child with a disability: a longitudinal study. BMC Women's Health. Vol. 23
Rasalingam, Anurajee; Brekke, Idunn; Stenberg, Una; Haaland-Øverby, Mette; Helseth, Sølvi (2023). ‘Struggling to participate in everyday life’: emerging adults’ experiences of living with long-term health challenges. BMC Public Health. Vol. 23
Wondemu, Michael Yisfashewa; Joranger, Pål; Hermansen, Åsmund; Brekke, Idunn (2022). Impact of child disability on parental employment and labour income: a quasi-experimental study of parents of children with disabilities in Norway. BMC Public Health. Vol. 22
Brekke, Idunn; Smith, Otto Robert Frans; Skjønsberg, Eia Elena; Holt, Tonje; Helland, Maren Sand; Aarø, Leif Edvard; Røysamb, Espen; Røsand, Gun-Mette Brandsnes; Torgersen, Leila; Skar, Ane-Marthe Solheim; Aase, Heidi (2022). Effectiveness of the International Child Development Programme: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Child & Family Social Work. p. 1-15
Rasalingam, Anurajee; Brekke, Idunn; Dahl, Espen; Helseth, Sølvi (2021). Impact of growing up with somatic long-term health challenges on school completion, NEET status and disability pension: a population-based longitudinal study. BMC Public Health. Vol. 21. p. 1-12
Simson, Kristine von; Brekke, Idunn; Hardoy, Ines (2021). The Impact of Mental Health Problems in Adolescence on Educational Attainment. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research
Madsen, Aleksander Årnes; Brekke, Idunn; Fekjær, Silje Bringsrud (2021). Women’s Attrition from Male-Dominated Workplaces in Norway: The Importance of Numerical Minority Status, Motherhood and Class. Work, Employment and Society
Rasalingam, Anurajee; Fegran, Liv; Brekke, Idunn; Helseth, Sølvi (2020). Young people with long-term health challenges experiences in transition to adulthood: A qualitative metasynthesis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Vol. 77. p. 595-607
Reisel, Liza; Nadim, Marjan; Brekke, Idunn (2020). The impact of having a child with special needs: Labour market adaptations of immigrant and majority mothers. Acta Sociologica. Vol. 64. p. 403-419
Brekke, Idunn; Evensen, Miriam; Hart, Rannveig Kaldager (2020). Uptake of Attendance Benefit for Children with a Disability in Norway: Impact of Socioeconomic Status and Immigrant Background. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research. Vol. 22. p. 127-136
Vinck, Julie; Brekke, Idunn (2020). Gender and education inequalities in parental employment and earnings when having a child with increased care needs: Belgium versus Norway. Journal of European Social Policy. Vol. 30. p. 495-508
Nystrøm, Vivian; Olsen, Brita Fosser; Brekke, Idunn (2020). Practised sedation in mechanically ventilated patients: A survey of nurses’ perceptions. The Nordic Journal of Nursing Research (NJNR). Vol. 40. p. 105-112
Jenum, Anne Karen; Brekke, Idunn; Mdala, Ibrahimu; Muilwijk, Mirthe; Ramachandran, Ambady; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Andersen, Eivind; Richardsen, Kåre Rønn; Douglas, Anne; Cezard, Genevieve; Sheikh, Aziz; Celis-Morales, Carlos; Gill, Jason M.R.; Sattar, Naveed; Bhopal, Raj S.; Beune, Erik; Stronks, Karien; Vandvik, Per Olav; Valkengoed, Irene G.M. van (2019). Effects of dietary and physical activity interventions on the risk of type 2 diabetes in South Asians: meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials. Diabetologia. Vol. 62. p. 1337-1348
Brekke, Idunn; Richardsen, Kåre Rønn; Jenum, Anne Karen (2019). Sickness absence in pregnancy: associations with sedentary behavior. A population-based cohort study from Norway. BMC Public Health. Vol. 19
Andenæs, Randi; Brekke, Idunn; Momyr, Astrid (2018). Reporting of pain by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Comparative results from the HUNT3 population-based survey. BMC Public Health. Vol. 18. p. 1-10
Brekke, Idunn; Früh, Elena Albertini; Kvarme, Lisbeth Gravdal; Holmstrøm, Henrik (2017). Long-time sickness absence among parents of pre-school children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and down syndrome: a longitudinal study. BMC Pediatrics. Vol. 17
Kvarme, Lisbeth Gravdal; Früh, Elena Albertini; Brekke, Idunn; Gardsjord, Ragnhild; Halvorsrud, Liv; Lidén, Hilde (2016). On duty all the time: Health and quality of life among immigrant parents caring for a child with complex health needs. Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN). Vol. 25. p. 362-371
Søjbjerg, Inger Lucia; Früh, Elena Albertini; Brekke, Idunn; Kvarme, Lisbeth Gravdal; Ravn, Ingrid Helen (2016). Livskvalitet hos foreldre til barn med spesielle behov. Helseth, Sølvi; Leegaard, Marit; Nortvedt, Finn (Ed.). Livskvalitet og smerte - et mangfoldig forskningsfelt. Gyldendal Akademisk
Brekke, Idunn; Nadim, Marjan (2016). Gendered effects of intensified care burdens: Employment and sickness absence in families with chronically sick or disabled children in Norway. Work, Employment and Society. Vol. 31. p. 391-408
Brekke, Idunn (2015). Health and educational success in adolescents: a longitudinal study. BMC Public Health. Vol. 15:619
Brekke, Idunn; Reisel, Liza (2015). The impact of birthweight and adolescent health on educational attainment. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. Vol. 61. p. 60-75
Brekke, Idunn (2014). Long-term labour market consequences of dropping out of upper secondary school : Minority disadvantages?. Acta Sociologica. Vol. 57. p. 25-39
Brekke, Idunn; Schøne, Pål (2014). Long sickness absence differences between natives and immigrant workers: The role of differences in self-reported health. Journal of International Migration and Integration. Vol. 15. p. 217-235
Rognstad, May Karin; Brekke, Idunn; Holm, Eva; Linberg, Cecilie; Lühr, Nina (2013). Underernæring hos eldre hjemmeboende personer med demens. Sykepleien Forskning. p. 298-307
Brekke, Idunn (2013). How Do Husbands Affect the Labour Market Participation of Majority andImmigrant Women?. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. Vol. 39. p. 1639-1657
Brekke, Idunn; Røed, Marianne; Schøne, Pål (2013). Påvirker innvandring investeringen i utdanning?. Søkelys på arbeidslivet. Vol. 30. p. 169-188
Brekke, Idunn; Schøne, Pål (2013). Kan forskjeller i sykefravær mellom innvandrerbefolkningen og majoritetsbefolkningen forklares med forskjeller i selvrapportert helse?. Søkelys på arbeidslivet. Vol. 30. p. 40-53
Brekke, Idunn; Berg, John Erik; Sletner, Line; Jenum, Anne Karen (2013). Doctor-certified sickness absence in first and second trimesters of pregnancy among native and immigrant women in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. Vol. 41. p. 166-173
Brekke, Idunn; Rogstad, Jon Christian (2011). Godt gift? Betydningen av ektefellens landbakgrunn for kvinnelige etterkommeres arbeidsdeltakelse. Søkelys på arbeidslivet. Vol. 28. p. 107-123
Brekke, Idunn; Reisel, Liza (2010). Minority Dropout in Higher Education : A Comparison of the United States and Norway Using Competing Risk Event History Analysis. European Sociological Review. Vol. 26. p. 691-712
Fekjær, Silje Bringsrud; Brekke, Idunn (2009). I samme båt. Frafall fra videregående skole og arbeidsmarkedstilknytning blant etterkommere av innvandrere og unge med majoritetsbakgrunn. Birkelund, Gunn Elisabeth; Mastekaasa, Arne (Ed.). Integrert? Innvandrere og barn av innvandrere i utdanning og arbeidsliv. Abstrakt forlag
Brekke, Idunn; Mastekaasa, Arne (2008). Highly educated immigrants in the Norwegian labour market: permanent disadvantage?. Work, Employment and Society. Vol. 22. p. 507-526
Brekke, Idunn (2007). Ethnic background and the transition from vocational education to work: A multilevel analysis of the differences in labour market outcomes. Journal of Education and Work. Vol. 20. p. 229-254
Brekke, Idunn (2007). Ethnic background and the transition from education to work among university graduates. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. Vol. 33. p. 1299-1321
Brekke, Idunn (2006). Betydningen av etnisk bakgrunn for overgangen fra høyere utdanning til arbeid. Søkelys på arbeidsmarkedet. Vol. 2. p. 173-180

Research reports (6)

Alecu, Andreea Ioana; Brekke, Idunn; Ugreninov, Elisabeth (2026). Betydningen av koronapandemien for barn med funksjonsnedsettelser og deres foreldre. En registerbasert studie om helse- og omsorgstjenester, arbeidsdeltakelse og sykefravær. 48 p.. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet
Brekke, Idunn; Ugreninov, Elisabeth; Skiple, Alida (2025). Betydningen av koronapandemien for barnevernet. En registerbasert studie om barn og unge som på ulike måter omfattes av barnevernet. 70 p.. OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet
Brekke, Idunn; Skjønsberg, Eia Elena; Smith, Otto Robert Frans; Røsand, Gun-Mette Brandsnes; Holt, Tonje; Aarø, Leif Edvard; Helland, Maren Sand; Røysamb, Espen; Grimstad, Ingrid; Aase, Heidi (2021). Effektevaluering av International Child Development Programme (ICDP). En randomisert kontrollert studie. 136 p.. Folkehelseinstituttet
Brekke, Idunn; Finnvold, Jon Erik (2018). Økonomiske levekår for personer med nedsatt funksjonsevne. Ulike metoder for kartlegging.. 58 p.. NOVA, OsloMet
Reisel, Liza; Brekke, Idunn (2013). Kjønnssegregering i utdanning og arbeidsliv : Status og årsaker. 66 p.. Institutt for samfunnsforskning
Brekke, Idunn; Reisel, Liza (2012). Klasse og kjønn i et likestillingsperspektiv : En kunnskapsoversikt. 50 p.. Institutt for samfunnsforskning

Dissemination (35)

Brekke, Idunn; Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Früh, Elena Albertini; Alecu, Andreea I.; Anvik, Cecilie Høj; Austgulen, Marthe Hårvik; Bjørnshagen, Vegar; Dokken, Therese; Evensen, Miriam; Finnvold, Jon Erik; Hermansen, Åsmund; Holmstrøm, Henrik; Jacobsen, Sigurd Eid; Joranger, Pål; Roos, Gun; Skjønsberg, Eia Elena; Ugreninov, Elisabeth; Wondemu, Michael Yisfashewa; Østerud, Kaja Larsen (2024). Svikter velferdsstaten kvinner?. Fontene
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Brekke, Idunn (2024). Et velferdssvik mot mødre til barn med funksjonsnedsettelser?. Mange og mangfoldige: FNs internasjonale dag for personer med funksjonsnedsettelse
Brekke, Idunn; Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Østerud, Kaja Larsen (2024). Svikter velferdsstaten noen kvinner?. Arendalsuka
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Anvik, Cecilie Høj; Brekke, Idunn (2024). Presentasjon av funn fra Uptake og Budget. Presentasjon av finn fra Uptake og Budget
Brekke, Idunn; Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Østerud, Kaja Larsen (2024). Svikter velferdsstaten kvinnene?. Svikter velferdsstaten kvinnene?
Brekke, Idunn; Alecu, Andreea Ioana; Celestia, Ohrazda; Lee, Jiwon (2023). Implications of Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder for Maternal Employment: United States vs. Norway. INSAR 2023 Annual Meeting
Brekke, Idunn; Alecu, Andreea Ioana (2023). The health of mothers caring for a child with a disability: a longitudinal study. NNDR 16th Research Conference Nordic Network on Disability Research
Alecu, Andreea Ioana; Brekke, Idunn (2023). Uptake of cash benefits among children with a disability in Norway: the role of parental characteristics. 21st ESPAnet Annual Conference 2023
Vedeler, Janikke Solstad; Brekke, Idunn (2023). Noen hovedfunn fra prosjektene Budget og Uptake. Seminar hos FFO
Brekke, Idunn; Vedeler, Janikke Solstad (2023). Key findings from two projects on disability, employment and welfare provision. Key findings from two projects on disability, employment and welfare provision
Brekke, Idunn; Alecu, Andreea Ioana; Evensen, Miriam; Ugreninov, Elisabeth; Suren, Pål (2022). Educational Attainment among children with a Disability: the impact of family characteristics. RC 28, Social Stratification and Social Policy for a Post-Covid19 World
Brekke, Idunn; Skjønsberg, Eia Elena (2022). Effektevaluering av International Child Development Programme (ICDP): En randomisert kontrollert studie - En presentasjon av funnene fra ICDP-studien, Nettverkskonferansen for ICPD-trenere 2022. Nettverkskonferansen for ICPD-trenere 2022
Brekke, Idunn; Vinck, Julie (2019). Gender and education inequalities in parental employment when having a young child with increased care needs: Belgium and Norway compared. Expert panel meeting- INTEGRATE
Jenum, Anne Karen; Brekke, Idunn; Mdala, Ibrahimu; Muilwijk, Mirthe; Ramachandran, Ambady; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Andersen, Eivind; Sheikh, Aziz; Gill, Jason M.R.; Sattar, Naveed; Bhopal, Raj; Beune, Erik J.A.J.; Stronks, Karien; Vandvik, Per Olav; Valkengoed, Irene G.M. van (2018). Effects of dietary and physical activity interventions on the risk of type 2 diabetes in South Asians: individual participant data meta-analysis of randomsed controlled trials. EASD
Brekke, Idunn; Vinck, Julie (2018). Who bears the burden? Gendered effects on parental employment when having a young child with a disability: Belgium and Norway compared. 25th Anniversary conference
Brekke, Idunn; Winck, Julie (2018). Who bears the burden in the social investment state? Gendered effects on parental employment when having a young child with increased care needs: Belgium and Norway compared. Annual ESPAnet Conference; 2018
Brekke, Idunn; Miriam, Evensen (2018). Ethnic variation in take up of attendance benefit for children with a chronic illness or disability in Norway. Universiteit Antwerpen-lunch seminar
Sonja, Balci; Brekke, Idunn (2017). Omsorg for funksjonshemmede barn går mest utover mors yrkesliv
Brekke, Idunn; Richardsen, Kåre Rønn; Jenum, Anne Karen (2017). “Sickness absence in pregnancy: physical activity and sedentary behavior". Sociological Association Research Committee 28, conference
Brekke, Idunn; Früh, Elena Albertini; Lidén, Hilde (2016). Foreldre som har barn med spesielle behov: arbeidsdeltakelse og sykefravær. NFR-seminar
Brekke, Idunn; Nadim, Marjan; Reisel, Liza (2016). Ethnic differences in labour market participation and sickness absence among mothers who care for disabled or chronically ill children. 2016 Annual ESPAnet Conference
Brekke, Idunn; Früh, Elena Albertini; Lidén, Hilde; Kvarme, Lisbeth Gravdal; Nadim, Marjan (2015). To presentasjoner: 1. Arbeidsdeltakelse og sykefravær blant mødre og fedre som har omsorg for et funksjonshemmet eller alvorlig kronisk sykt barn 2. Innvandrerfamilier med kronisk syke barn og deres tilknytning til arbeidslivet. Et kvalitativ studie av foreldreopplevelser.. NFR Seminar: Helse og arbeidsdeltakelse
Rognstad, May Karin; Brekke, Idunn; Holm, Eva; Lindberg, Cecilie; Lühr, Nina (2015). Underernæring hos eldre personer. Fylkeskonferansen
Brekke, Idunn; Nadim, Marjan (2015). Gender differences in labour market participation and sickness absence among parents who care for disabled or chronically ill children. Social Inequality, Cohesion and Solidarity
Brekke, Idunn; Nadim, Marjan; Reisel, Liza (2014). Ethnic differences in labour market participation, health and sickness absence among parents caring for disabled or chronically ill children. Workshop on health, wellbeing and work among parents with chronically ill or disabled children
Brekke, Idunn; Reisel, Liza (2014). The impact of infant health and adolescent general and mental health on educational attainment. International Sociological Association Research Committee 28 (RC28) on“Old and New Social Divides : Social Stratification Research in the 21st century
Brekke, Idunn (2013). Minority dropouts in upper secondary education. How do they fare in the Norwegian labour market. The Norface Migration Network Conference
Brekke, Idunn; Schøne, Pål (2012). Health and sickness absence among native and immigrant workers in Norway. BSA Medical Sociology Conference
Brekke, Idunn; Schøne, Pål (2012). Sickness absence differences between natives and immigrant workers: the role of differences in self-reported health. the 26th Conference of the Nordic Sociological Association
Brekke, Idunn (2011). Long term labour market consequences of dropping out of upper secondary school. Ethnic differences?. the 25th Conference of the Nordic Sociological Association
Brekke, Idunn (2010). Immigrant women's adaptations to the Norwegian labour market. The 2010 spring meeting of RC28
Brekke, Idunn (2009). Highly educated immigrants in Norway, ethnic disadvantages?. The 2009 spring meeting of the RC28
Fekjær, Silje Noack; Brekke, Idunn (2006). Should I Stay or Should I Go? Ethnic Differences in Dropout from Norwegian Upper Secondary Schools. Equalsoc Network Conference
Brekke, Idunn (2005). Ethnic Background and the Transition from Education to Work among University Graduates. The 2005 spring meeting of the RC28
Brekke, Idunn (2005). Ethnic Background and the Transition From Vocational Education to Work. The 2005 summer meeting of the RC28

These publications are obtained from Norwegian Research Information Repository. The list may be incomplete.