Design of a quasi-experiment on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of using the child-interview intervention during the investigation following a report of child abuse and/or neglect
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
BMC public health
Abstract
Background: In the Netherlands, suspected cases of child maltreatment can be reported to an advice and
reporting center on child abuse and neglect (Advies- en Meldpunt Kindermishandeling or AMK). AMKs investigate
these reports, screen for problems in the family and its surroundings and refer to child welfare. Over the last
decades the focus of AMK investigations has changed from an adult-only approach to a more child-oriented
approach using a Child-Interview intervention. The effects and cost-effectiveness of AMK involvement in the
Netherlands have never been studied. The primary aim of this study is therefore to examine the effect of the
participation of maltreated children aged 6–18 years in the Child-Interview intervention on their mental health
and quality of life. As a second aim, this study will examine the balance between additional costs and effects of
the Child-Interview intervention in comparison with AMK investigation without the Child-Interview intervention
(adult-only intervention).
Design/Methods: A quasi-experiment will be performed consisting of two post-intervention measurements of two
nonequivalent groups: an intervention group, in which the Child-Interview intervention has been used during the
AMK investigation, and a control group, in which the intervention has not been used (adult-only intervention).
Participants from an ongoing prospective study on the mental health and quality of life of maltreated children after
a report to an AMK, will be contacted to complete a questionnaire twice. Multivariate regression analyses will be
used to determine effectiveness of the Child-Interview intervention. The economic evaluation will involve a
cost-effectiveness analysis and a cost-utility analysis.
Results/Discussion: This will be the first study to examine the effect of AMK involvement in the Netherlands.
Using the Child-Interview intervention during AMK investigation may prevent or reduce negative outcomes of
child maltreatment, which may result in a lower consumption of healthcare and other services. In addition, the
importance of economic evaluations is increasingly recognized, and economic evaluations about child
maltreatment are scarce. Limitations include the risk of potential recall bias and selection bias.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
Netherlands, International Resources, interview, investigation, child maltreatment
Citation
Snoeren, F., Hoefnagels, C., Lamers-Winkelman, F., Baeten, P., & Evers, S. M. (2013). Design of a quasi-experiment on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of using the child-interview intervention during the investigation following a report of child abuse and/or neglect. BMC public health, 13(1), 1164.