Current issues and challenges in the definition and operationalization of child maltreatment : a scoping review

Laajasalo, Taina; Cowley, Laura Elizabeth; Otterman, Gabriel; Lamela, Diogo; Rodrigues, Leonor Bettencourt; Jud, Andreas; Kemp, Alison; Naughton, Aideen; Hurt, Lisa; Soldino, Virginia; Ntinapogias, Athanasios; Nurmatov, Ulugbek

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-30241

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Current issues and challenges in the definition and operationalization of child maltreatment : a scoping review
Authors:	Laajasalo, Taina Cowley, Laura Elizabeth Otterman, Gabriel Lamela, Diogo Rodrigues, Leonor Bettencourt Jud, Andreas Kemp, Alison Naughton, Aideen Hurt, Lisa Soldino, Virginia Ntinapogias, Athanasios Nurmatov, Ulugbek
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187 10.21256/zhaw-30241
Published in:	Child Abuse & Neglect
Volume(Issue):	140
Issue:	106187
Issue Date:	Jun-2023
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0145-2134 1873-7757
Language:	English
Subjects:	Child abuse and neglect; Child maltreatment; Definition; Scoping review; Child; Humans; Policy making; Research design; Child abuse
Subject (DDC):	362.7: Youth services
Abstract:	Background: Studies show considerable variability in the definitions and operationalization of child maltreatment (CM), which limits research, policy formation, surveillance, and cross-country and cross-sector comparisons. Objective: To review the recent literature (2011–2021) to understand current issues and challenges in defining CM, to assist in the planning, testing and implementing of CM conceptualizations. Methods: We searched eight international databases. Articles were included if the substantive content was related to issues, challenges, and debates in defining CM, and the article was an original study, review, commentary, report, or guideline. The review followed methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews and was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Four experts in CM conducted a thematic analysis to summarize findings. Methodological rigor of the included studies was not formally assessed. Results: We identified 7372 potentially relevant articles; 55 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility, 25 satisfied the inclusion criteria. We identified three themes: 1) strategies to define CM, including the integration of child and victim perspectives; 2) difficulties in defining specific CM types; and 3) real-world implications for research, prevention and policy. Conclusions: Despite longstanding concerns, challenges regarding the definitions of CM persist. A small minority of studies have tested and implemented CM definitions and operationalizations in practice. The findings will inform international multi-sectoral processes to develop uniform definitions of CM, for example by highlighting the need to acknowledge challenges in defining some CM types and emphasizing the importance of considering the perspectives of children and CM survivors.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/30241
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	Social Work
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Childhood, Youth and Family (IKJF)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Soziale Arbeit

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Laajasalo, T., Cowley, L. E., Otterman, G., Lamela, D., Rodrigues, L. B., Jud, A., Kemp, A., Naughton, A., Hurt, L., Soldino, V., Ntinapogias, A., & Nurmatov, U. (2023). Current issues and challenges in the definition and operationalization of child maltreatment : a scoping review. Child Abuse & Neglect, 140(106187). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187

Laajasalo, T. et al. (2023) ‘Current issues and challenges in the definition and operationalization of child maltreatment : a scoping review’, Child Abuse & Neglect, 140(106187). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187.

T. Laajasalo et al., “Current issues and challenges in the definition and operationalization of child maltreatment : a scoping review,” Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 140, no. 106187, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187.

LAAJASALO, Taina, Laura Elizabeth COWLEY, Gabriel OTTERMAN, Diogo LAMELA, Leonor Bettencourt RODRIGUES, Andreas JUD, Alison KEMP, Aideen NAUGHTON, Lisa HURT, Virginia SOLDINO, Athanasios NTINAPOGIAS und Ulugbek NURMATOV, 2023. Current issues and challenges in the definition and operationalization of child maltreatment : a scoping review. Child Abuse & Neglect. Juni 2023. Bd. 140, Nr. 106187. DOI 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187

Laajasalo, Taina, Laura Elizabeth Cowley, Gabriel Otterman, Diogo Lamela, Leonor Bettencourt Rodrigues, Andreas Jud, Alison Kemp, et al. 2023. “Current Issues and Challenges in the Definition and Operationalization of Child Maltreatment : A Scoping Review.” Child Abuse & Neglect 140 (106187). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187.

Laajasalo, Taina, et al. “Current Issues and Challenges in the Definition and Operationalization of Child Maltreatment : A Scoping Review.” Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 140, no. 106187, June 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106187.