Ulrika Lögdberg

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (NASP), Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. My research primarily focuses on the cultural adaptation of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) programs and the role of leisure activities in youth mental health. Through these projects, I aim to explore how cultural contexts influence mental health interventions and how young people navigate their well-being within their social environments.

Health at the Intersections of Culture and Equity
My research integrates cultural perspectives on health with a focus on social equity, grounded in the understanding that health disparities are often closely tied to cultural and social inequities. This broad approach has guided my investigations into diverse areas, including the conditions for the health and well-being of newly arrived young migrants, mental health in leisure contexts, and the cultural adaptation of mental health interventions.

Additionally, I explore how health narratives are constructed and shared within various communities and how young people are represented within policy frameworks. By combining these perspectives, I aim to contribute to a more equitable understanding of health, one that acknowledges and addresses the systemic factors underlying disparities.

Children and Young People's Health: Everyday Lives and Social Influences

A significant focus of my research is on young people, a group navigating unique challenges impacted by power dynamics—such as age, gender, class, and ethnicity—that critically shape their health and well-being. I examine how these social forces influence their everyday lives and how young people experience, interpret, and manage their health within diverse cultural contexts. This research aims to explore the strategies young people use to navigate complex social landscapes, shedding light on the role of cultural and societal influences on their overall well-being.

Research Methodology and Expertise

I am committed to understanding health through a cultural lens, using qualitative, participatory, and exploratory methodologies. My expertise includes ethnography, photovoice, and task-based interviews, which allow me to delve deeply into lived experiences and capture the nuanced perspectives of individuals and groups. These methodologies help me explore cultural dynamics and health disparities, with the ultimate goal of contributing to a more equitable understanding of health issues. I advocate for the inclusion of underrepresented voices in research, policy discussions, and practice.

I am also a co-creator and active member of the Karolinska Interdisciplinary Network for Qualitative Researchers (KI-QUAL), a network dedicated to advancing and strengthening qualitative research across all departments at KI. Through this network, we work to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and support the development of qualitative methodologies at KI. Learn more.

Current Projects

These projects reflect my interest in exploring the intersection of cultural health perspectives, youth experiences, and social equity:

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Cultural Adaptation: In this project, I work on culturally adapting the Swedish MHFA program to better support diverse populations, ensuring that mental health resources are relevant and effective across cultural contexts. 
• Learn more.

• In the Youth Play project, alongside senior research specialist Camilla Wasserman, we explore the critical intersection of youth mental health and leisure activities. Spanning 2022-2025, this project seeks to illuminate the positive impact of meaningful leisure on youth mental health while identifying and addressing barriers that hinder access to recreational opportunities. 
• Learn more.

• Working with the Nordic Health Promotion Research Group, Children and Young People in Health Promoting Settings,  
• we analyze how children and young people are constructed in relation to health within national health policy documents across Nordic countries.

I have had the opportunity to teach at various levels, from undergraduate to doctoral, in subjects ranging from Health Psychology, Motivational Interviewing, and Health Promotion to Social Psychology, Cultural Studies, and Qualitative Methods. Recently, I contributed as a lecturer in the Suicidology course for doctoral students, where I focused on Qualitative Research in Suicidology. I also supervise and assess students at different stages in their education. Teaching is something I truly value and enjoy.