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BackgroundChild maltreatment is recognized as a widespread problem with huge implications for mental health and quality of life. Studies have repeatedly shown that victims of child maltreatment report significantly more adverse life outcomes than non-victims. The main objective of the study is (1) to examine the mental health and quality of life of maltreated children over a 1.5 year period beginning shortly after a report has been filed with an Advies- en Meldpunt Kindermishandeling (AMK) (advice and reporting center on child abuse and neglect). Secondary objectives are: (2) to examine how relevant determinants influence the mental health and quality of life of maltreated children, and (3) to examine differences in mental health and quality of life outcomes when comparing families of Dutch origin with families originating from Morocco and Suriname.Methods/DesignA prospective study will be performed, in which parent–child dyads will be followed over a 1.5 year period. Participants will be recruited shortly after the report to the AMK and they will be asked to complete a questionnaire four times, at baseline and every six months thereafter. Data will be analyzed using a longitudinal multi-level analysis.DiscussionThe study is expected to yield evidence about the mental health and quality of life of maltreated children and about determinants that influence their mental health and quality of life outcomes. Strengths of this study are (1) the design which makes it possible to start examining outcomes shortly after or even during the actual maltreatment and to follow parent–child dyads for 1.5 years, and (2) asking children as informants about their own situation by making use of self-report questionnaires as much as possible. Limitations include the risks of selection bias and loss to follow-up during 1.5 years of data collection.Trial registrationNTR3674, funded by ZonMw, project 15700.2012.

Objectives To examine the self-reported quality of life of maltreated children, shortly after submission of a report to an advice and reporting center on child abuse and neglect, and the extent to which child and maltreatment characteristics were associated with quality of life. Methods Participants were 228 maltreated children aged 5-16 years (M = 9.99; SD = 3.20) and their primary caregiver. Children completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. One-sample t-tests were used to compare the self-reported quality of life of the maltreated children with scores from normative populations. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to explore whether maltreated children's age, gender and type of maltreatment were associated with their quality of life, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. Results Significant differences were found between the study sample and three different normative populations regarding overall quality of life and the psychosocial health dimension of quality of life, indicating a poorer quality of life and psychosocial health for the maltreated children in this study. In addition, the socio-demographic characteristic of financial problems in the family as reported by the parent(s) was associated with children's poorer self-reported quality of life. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that child maltreatment is negatively related to self-reported quality of life. Future research should further address the effects of child maltreatment on quality of life after child protection system interventions. Keywords Quality of Life • Self-report • Maltreatment • Children • Adolescents Quality of life (QoL) has been defined by the World Health Organization as 'the individuals' perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns' (World Health Organization Quality of Life Group [WHOQOL Group] 1995, p. 1405).

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Giving maltreated children a voice : a study of selfreported quality of life, and the effectiveness and costeffectiveness of the child-interview intervention during the investigation of reports of child maltreatment Citation for published version (APA): Snoeren, F. M. M. (2014). Giving maltreated children a voice : a study of self-reported quality of life, and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the child-interview intervention during the investigation of reports of child maltreatment. Maastricht University.