Defining child maltreatment for research and surveillance: an international, multi-sectoral, Delphi consensus study in 34 countries in Europe and surrounding regions.
expert_opinion · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39981499.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101196 and PMC identifier 11840198.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-ND.
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Abstract
Child maltreatment is a complex public health issue that has consequences across the life-course. Studies to quantify child maltreatment and identify interventions and services are constrained by a lack of uniform definitions. We conducted a European Delphi study to reach consensus on types and characteristics of child maltreatment for use in surveillance and research. Statements were developed following a scoping review and identification of key concepts by an international expert team (n = 19). A multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 70) from 34 countries completed three rounds of an online survey. We defined consensus as ≥70% agreement or disagreement with each statement after the final round. Consensus was reached on 26/31 statements (participant retention rate 94%). From the statements, we propose a unified definition of child maltreatment to improve measurement and surveillance in Europe. Concerted efforts are now required to test and refine the definition further prior to real-world operationalisation.