Vibeke Tornhøj Christensen

Senior Researcher, Cand.scient.soc., PhD

Key Expertise:

  • Inequality and social heritage,
  • Public school,
  • Gender and identity
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My main areas of work:

I focus on the importance of an individual’s background and lifestyle for a number of outcome measures. In the area of health, I investigate support of the child vaccination programme, and I have performed considerable research on weight, perceptions of weight and the importance of social characteristics for these. Furthermore, I am involved in several investigations in the area of education, again with the importance of background as the main focus. I am the Co-National Project Manager for the PISA investigations in Denmark, as well as being responsible for the analysis component of the PISA investigations.

Methods:

I mainly use micro-econometric methods and carry out quantitative research. I work with both registry and questionnaire data and have taken part in the development of several questionnaires.

Background:

I have a master’s degree in political science and a PhD in sociology from University of Copenhagen in 2010. In my career, I have worked for various research institutions. I was employed by SFI in 2004, after which I worked for the former AKF, KORA and now VIVE since 2007. In 2012, I received the Young Elite Researcher Award from Independent Research Fund Denmark. Since 2015, I have been Co-national Project Manager for the PISA survey in Denmark.

Selected publications

Scientific article
1. SEP 2016

Christensen, V. T. (2016). Influences of Sex and BMI on the Weight Level Perception of Others. American Journal of Health Behavior, 40(5), 604-613. https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.40.5.7

Scientific article
15. APR 2014

Christensen, V. T., & Carpiano, R. (2014). Social Class Differences in BMI among Danish Women: Applying Cockerham’s Health Lifestyles Approach and Bourdieu's Theory of Lifestyle. Social Science & Medicine, 2014(112), 12-21.

Scientific article
13. JAN 2014

Christensen, V. T. (2014). My sibling, my weight. How gender, sibling gender, sibling weight and sibling weight level perception influence weight perception accuracy. Nutrition & Diabetes, 4(e103). https://doi.org/10.1038/nutd.2013.44

Scientific article
1. FEB 2011
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T. (2011). Does Parental Capital Influence the Prevalence of Child Overweight and Parental Perceptions of Child Weight-Level? Social Science & Medicine, 72(4), 469-477. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.11.037

Scientific article
2021
  • Labour Market
  • Daycare, school and education

Greve, J., Saaby, M., Rosdahl, A., & Christensen, V. T. (2021). Uncertain occupational expectations at age 19 and later educational and labour market outcomes. LABOUR: Review of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations, 35/2, 163-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/labr.12194

Mini report
3. DEC 2019
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T. (2019, Dec 3). PISA 2018 - En sammenfatning. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd. https://www.vive.dk/media/pure/14477/3610795

Scientific article
1. FEB 2017

Christensen, V. T., & Gupta, N. D. (2017). Hearing loss and disability exit: Measurement issues and coping strategies. Economics and Human Biology, 2017(24), 80-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2016.11.006

Scientific article
1. DEC 2013

Christensen, V. T. (2013). Studies of differentiated weight levels and weight perceptions explored through the theoretical work of Pierre Bourdieu. Praktiske Grunde. Nordisk tidsskrift for kultur- og samfundsvidenskab, 7(1-2), 33-40.

Scientific article
20. AUG 2012
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T. (2012). Gendered perceptions of own and partner weight-level. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, 16(4), 382-399. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459311425512

Selected research projects

Project
1. NOV 2018 — 31. DEC 2025
  • Health Care

CHILDVAC

Project
1. APR 2019 — 28. FEB 2025

PISA 2021

Project
1. FEB 2023 — 30. JUN 2027

PISA 2025

Publications

Scientific articles

Scientific article
FEB 2026
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T., Polonijo, A. N., & Carpiano, R. M. (2026). Parental education disparities in childhood vaccination in Denmark: A test of two explanations for the role of misinformation. Social Science & Medicine, 391, 118914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118914

Scientific article
7. OCT 2025

Bruun, L. S., Bladt, C., Strandberg-Larsen, K., Christensen, V. T., Greve, J., Hansen, E. R., & Tolstrup, J. S. (2025). Associations between BMI, body size perception, and dropout from upper secondary education: A prospective cohort study of 15–19-year-old adolescents. Annals of Epidemiology, 111, 129-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2025.10.010

Scientific article
2021
  • Labour Market
  • Daycare, school and education

Greve, J., Saaby, M., Rosdahl, A., & Christensen, V. T. (2021). Uncertain occupational expectations at age 19 and later educational and labour market outcomes. LABOUR: Review of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations, 35/2, 163-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/labr.12194

Scientific article
21. DEC 2018
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T., & Jæger, M. M. (2018). Weight and social comparison: Does the weight of a stranger affect a person’s perception of their own weight? Health Psychology Open, 5(2), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102918819260

Scientific article
1. FEB 2017

Christensen, V. T., & Gupta, N. D. (2017). Hearing loss and disability exit: Measurement issues and coping strategies. Economics and Human Biology, 2017(24), 80-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2016.11.006

Scientific article
1. SEP 2016

Christensen, V. T. (2016). Influences of Sex and BMI on the Weight Level Perception of Others. American Journal of Health Behavior, 40(5), 604-613. https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.40.5.7

Scientific article
15. APR 2014

Christensen, V. T., & Carpiano, R. (2014). Social Class Differences in BMI among Danish Women: Applying Cockerham’s Health Lifestyles Approach and Bourdieu's Theory of Lifestyle. Social Science & Medicine, 2014(112), 12-21.

Scientific article
13. JAN 2014

Christensen, V. T. (2014). My sibling, my weight. How gender, sibling gender, sibling weight and sibling weight level perception influence weight perception accuracy. Nutrition & Diabetes, 4(e103). https://doi.org/10.1038/nutd.2013.44

Scientific article
1. DEC 2013

Christensen, V. T. (2013). Studies of differentiated weight levels and weight perceptions explored through the theoretical work of Pierre Bourdieu. Praktiske Grunde. Nordisk tidsskrift for kultur- og samfundsvidenskab, 7(1-2), 33-40.

Scientific article
20. AUG 2012
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T. (2012). Gendered perceptions of own and partner weight-level. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, 16(4), 382-399. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459311425512

Scientific article
17. NOV 2011

Christensen, V. T. (2011). Vægt og kapital: Differentieret vægt hos voksne og børn analyseret gennem Bourdieus begreber om habitus og kapital. Dansk sociologi, 22(3), 81-105.

Scientific article
1. FEB 2011
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T. (2011). Does Parental Capital Influence the Prevalence of Child Overweight and Parental Perceptions of Child Weight-Level? Social Science & Medicine, 72(4), 469-477. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.11.037

Scientific article
29. MAR 2009
  • The Elderly
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Health Care

Hansen, E. B., Christensen, V. T., & Heinesen, E. (2009). The Effect of Home Care on the Ability to Perform the Activities of Daily Living and the Well-being of Older People. European Journal of Ageing, 6(1), 17-26.

Reports

Report
8. SEP 2026
  • Daycare, school and education

Beuchert, L., Christensen, V. T., Hindsholm, M. F., Jensen, H. L. S., & Lysdahl, P. H. (2026). PISA 2025: Hovedrapport. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd.

Report
12. SEP 2024
  • Health Care
  • Economy and Governance

Jacobsen, R. H., Bolvig, I., Kjellberg, J., Christensen, V. T., & Nordentoft, M. (2024). Socioøkonomiske effekter af øget adgang til psykolog-behandling. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd. VIVE Rapport

Report
13. JUN 2024
  • Daycare, school and education

Beuchert, L., Brandsen, A. S., Christensen, V. T., & Rasmussen, D. (2024). PISA Etnisk 2022: Delrapport med fokus på elever med indvandrerbaggrund. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd.

Report
5. DEC 2023
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., Beuchert, L., & Rasmussen, D. (2023). PISA 2022: Hovedrapport. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd.

Report
31. MAR 2023
  • Health Care

Jacobsen, R. H., Andersen, D. B., & Christensen, V. T. (2023). Aktivitet og ventetider i psykologordningen. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd. VIVE Rapport

Report
11. JUN 2020
  • Labour Market
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., Beuchert, L., & Jensen, S. V. (2020). PISA Etnisk 2018: PISA 2018 med fokus på elever med indvandrerbaggrund. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd. VIVE Rapport

Mini report
3. DEC 2019
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T. (2019, Dec 3). PISA 2018 - En sammenfatning. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd. https://www.vive.dk/media/pure/14477/3610795

Report
3. DEC 2019
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T. (Ed.), Beuchert, L., Christensen, V. T., Bremholm, J., Bundsgaard, J., Liebst, L. V., Lindenskov, L., Bach, C. C., Jankvist, U. T., Sørensen, H., Dohn, N. B., & Klingsbjerg-Besrechel, M. (2019). PISA 2018: Danske unge i en international sammenligning. VIVE - Det Nationale Forsknings- og Analysecenter for Velfærd. VIVE Rapport

Report
6. DEC 2016
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., & Greve, J. (2016). PISA 2015: Danske unge i en international sammenligning. KORA.

Report
1. APR 2014
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., Fredslund, E. K., Egelund, N., & Jensen, T. P. (2014). PISA Etnisk 2012: PISA 2012 med fokus på unge med indvandrerbaggrund. KORA.

Report
26. JUN 2012
  • Labour Market
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., & Ladenburg, J. (2012). Privatskolerne og det sociale ansvar. AKF Forlag.

Report
10. APR 2012
  • Labour Market
  • Daycare, school and education

Jensen, T. P., Christensen, V. T., & Larsen, B. Ø. (2012). Muligheder og barrierer for videregående uddannelse blandt unge med en erhvervsuddannelse (EUD). AKF Forlag.

Report
18. JAN 2012
  • Labour Market
  • The Social Sector
  • Daycare, school and education

Jensen, K. B., & Christensen, V. T. (2012). Ufaglærtes bevægelser fra ledighed til beskæftigelse: Baggrundsrapport. AKF Forlag.

Report
18. AUG 2011
  • Labour Market
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., Egelund, N., & Nielsen, C. P. (2011). PISA København 2010: Kompetencer hos elever i 9. klasse i København. AKF Forlag.

Report
26. JUN 2008
  • The Elderly
  • Management and implementation
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Health Care

Hansen, E. B., Eskelinen, L., & Christensen, V. T. (2008). Genoptræning i kommunale træningscentre - dokumentation af effekterne. FOKUS.

Mini report
1. DEC 2007
  • The Elderly
  • Labour Market
  • The Social Sector
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T., Rasmussen, M., & Gupta, N. D. (2007, Dec 1). Hearing Loss and Disability Exit: Measurement Issues and Coping Strategies.

Books and book contributions

Book contribution
6. DEC 2013

Christensen, V. T., & Fredslund, E. K. (2013). Sammenhæng mellem elevernes matematikfærdigheder, deres hjemmebaggrund og skoleforløb. In N. Egelund (Ed.), PISA 2012 : Danske unge i en international sammenligning (pp. 109-153). KORA.

Book contribution
8. DEC 2008

Jensen, K. OD., Lund, T. B., Andersen, L. M., Christensen, V. T., Krarup, S., Christensen, T., Denver, S., Bossen, H., Hindborg, H., Roland, T., & Øllegaard, G. (2008). Hvorfor køber forbrugerne økologi. In H. F. Alrøe (Ed.), Udvikling, vækst og integritet i den danske økologisektor ICROFS.

Theses

PhD thesis
20. NOV 2010

Christensen, V. T. (2010). Weight, Class and Gender: A Sociological Analysis of Weight and weight Perception using Bourdieu's Concept of Lifestyle and Micro-econometric Methods. Sociologisk Institut, Københavns Universitet.

Conference contributions and working papers

Working paper
3. MAR 2008
  • The Elderly
  • Management and implementation
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families

Hansen, E. B., Christensen, V. T., & Heinesen, E. (2008, Mar 3). Hjemmehjælp, udførelsen af daglige aktiviteter og velbefindende blandt ældre. AKF Forlag.

Working paper
17. FEB 2006

Christensen, V. T. (2006, Feb 17). Nedsat hørelse og førtidig tilbagetrækning. SFI - Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Velfærd.

Technical papers

Technical paper
3. MAY 2012
  • Labour Market
  • Daycare, school and education

Christensen, V. T. (2012). Analyse: Det er sværest for de københavnske ufaglærte. Danske kommuner, 2012(14).

Technical paper
1. JUN 2011
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T. (2011). Forældrene har nøglen til børns overvægt. AKF nyt, (2).

Technical paper
1. JUN 2008
  • Labour Market
  • Daycare, school and education
  • Health Care

Christensen, V. T. (2008). Et forringet arbejdsliv med høreproblemer. AKF nyt, 2008(2), 9-11.

Magazines and booklets

Magazine
1. OCT 2006
  • Labour Market
  • Management and implementation
  • The Social Sector
  • Children, Adolescents and Families

Søndergaard, J., Bonke, J., Bay Jørsel, Center for Ludomani, M., Rørsig, Danske Spil, T., Järvinen, M., Christensen, V. T., Nielsen, L., Mølgaard Miiller, M., Fridberg, T., Vitus, K., Høgelund, J., & Holm, A. (2006, Oct 1). Social Forskning, 2006:3. SFI - Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Velfærd. Magasin

Areas

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