Papers by Franziska Meinck
Plos Global Public Health, 2024
holistically address these challenges, with particular focus on MH challenges, cultural sensitivi... more holistically address these challenges, with particular focus on MH challenges, cultural sensitivity, and promotion of healthy coping strategies. Research Fund [ES/S008101/1] to FM as principal investigator. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Systematic Reviews, 2023
Background Research cites a strong, dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experien... more Background Research cites a strong, dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poor adult mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), selfharm, suicidality, and psychotic-like experiences. Aim To systematically investigate the existence and strength of association between ACEs and adult mental health outcomes in prospective longitudinal studies. The review will focus on the outcomes: anxiety, depression, PTSD, selfharm, suicidal ideation, and psychotic-like experiences.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2023
Children's participation and inclusion in violence research, particularly in low-and middle-incom... more Children's participation and inclusion in violence research, particularly in low-and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts, is scant and not well understood. To assess how young children can be engaged in violence research, 4-to 7-year-old children were recruited into our pilot study in a rural area of South Africa. Six interviewers, recruited from the community, were trained to complete cognitive interviews (n = 24), intervieweradministered questionnaires (n = 21), and qualitative interviews (n = 18) with young children. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with interviewers. Findings from FGDs and assessment of interview performance highlighted that young children could feasibly and meaningfully appraise violence they experience and articulate their view in
International Journal on Child Maltreatment, 2023
This paper presents findings from a pilot study focused on examining intergenerational violence i... more This paper presents findings from a pilot study focused on examining intergenerational violence in a three-generation sample, which included young children, in a rural area of South Africa. The aims of the pilot study were to investigate the feasibility of participant recruitment, consent, and interviewing; length and burden of the study questionnaires; appropriateness and acceptability of the measures used; and young children's (age 4-7) ability to comprehend the measures and participate meaningfully in interviews asking about violence. Data were collected for 4 months with three groups of participants, often within families (young adults, their children, and the young adults' former caregivers), using cognitive interviews, quantitative questionnaires, and qualitative in-depth interviews. All groups participated in artsbased methods and child interviews included visual and tactile aids. Pilot study findings demonstrated feasible recruitment within families for a three-generation study using comprehensive consent protocols and mandatory reporting information. Adults and young children were able to participate in the extensive interviews (2-3 h and 1 h, respectively) without significant burden. The employed measures were appropriate and acceptable to the setting, though minor revisions were made to improve comprehension of certain items. Young children were able to engage and participate meaningfully in the research, though they were not able to answer abstract reasoning items in cognitive interviews and children who were less developmentally advanced required more play-and arts-based accommodations to support their participation. Future research around sensitive topics, such as violence, appears feasible within families and including young children as participants even in resource-poor settings.
BMC Public Health, 2023
Background Violence is a global social and human rights issue with serious public health implicat... more Background Violence is a global social and human rights issue with serious public health implications across the life-course. Interpersonal violence is transmitted across generations and there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms of this transmission to identify and inform interventions and policies for prevention and response. We lack an evidence-base for understanding the underlying mechanisms of the intra-and intergenerational transmission of violence as well as potential for intervention, particularly in regions with high rates of interpersonal violence such as sub-Saharan Africa. The study has four aims: 1) to identify mechanisms of violence transmission across generations and by gender through quantitative and qualitative methods; 2) to examine the effect of multiple violence experience on health outcomes, victimisation and perpetration; 3) to investigate the effect of structural risk factors on violence transmission; and 4) to examine protective interventions and policies to reduce violence and improve health outcomes.
Child Abuse & Neglect, 2024
Background: Children's participation in research is a rights-based principle. However, young chil... more Background: Children's participation in research is a rights-based principle. However, young children are often excluded from research on sensitive topics, due to gatekeepers concerns that participation would cause distress/re-traumatization and conflict with the principle of providing adequate protection from harm. Objective: To provide evidence around young children's feelings, including potential distress, and beliefs in mixed-method interviews about violence and difficult experiences. Participants and setting: Data were collected from South African interviewer focus group discussions and young child (age 6-10) interviews, along with observations and fieldnotes from young child (age 6-17) interviews. Methods: We collected and analyzed qualitative data focused on children's displayed and reported emotions and beliefs in violence-focused interviews. Results: Findings showed the quantitative interview was frequently a positive experience for young children, and children who became upset or emotional stated their feelings were due to violence they experienced. The interviewer seemed to represent a safe person to whom the child could disclose. The play-and arts-based methods of the interview were useful in building this safety and providing space for children to regulate difficult emotions. Conclusions: In a carefully managed interview environment using developmentally appropriate methods, young children are enthusiastic participants and do not appear to experience undue distress or trauma when asked about violence and other sensitive topics. Findings demonstrate that young children can be safely included in research about violence and issues that impact them and can exercise their right to participation when research methods, environments, and safeguards are appropriately adapted to their needs.
Plos Global Public Health, 2023
Arts-based methods are underutilized in violence research and may offer improved means of underst... more Arts-based methods are underutilized in violence research and may offer improved means of understanding these phenomena; but little is known about their value, especially in lowresource settings. A pilot study using a cross sectional sample was conducted in rural South Africa to determine the feasibility and acceptability of using arts-based methods in research with adults and children, in preparation for a longitudinal multigenerational cohort study on mechanisms that underly the intergenerational transmission of violence. Four arts-based methods were piloted with young adults aged 22-30 years (n = 29), children aged 4-7 years (n = 21) and former caregivers of the young adults aged 40-69 years (n = 11). A sample of qualitative interviews were audio recorded and transcribed (child n = 15, adults n = 19). Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to understand implementation and lessons learnt with the six interviewers on the study team, none of whom had used these methods in research before. Interviews and FGDs were audio recorded, transcribed and reviewed by the investigative team. Using a rapid analytical approach, our pilot study demonstrated that using arts and play-based methods in multigenerational violence research is feasible and acceptable to participants and interviewers. These methods worked well for nearly all participants regardless of age or ability and offered a comfortable and 'fun' way to engage in weighty conversations. They presented benefits in their capability to facilitate disclosure, expanding understanding, particularly around violence that is often a stigmatizing and sensitive experience. Interviewers required increased capacity and sensitivity in using the methods carefully, to maximize their full potential, and ongoing mentorship was indicated. Our study adds to the burgeoning evidence base of the effectiveness of the use of arts-based methods in health research.
Child Abuse & Neglect, 2024
Background
Numerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse... more Background
Numerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse in religious organizations. Despite this, evidence of population-wide prevalence is scarce.
Objective
To provide the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in religious organizations in Australia.
Methods
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) surveyed 8503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated based on responses to the child sexual abuse questions from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (ACMS).
Results
One in 250 people reported being sexually abused as a child by an adult in a religious organization (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %). Men reported significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse by these perpetrators (0.8 %, 95 % CI, 0.5–1.2 %), compared to women (0.1 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.3 %). This type of sexual abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %), compared to women (0 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.1 %), and was substantially more often experienced in Catholic organizations (71.9 %) than other Christian denominations or other religions. Prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious organizations has declined over time (2.2 % of men 65 years and older, compared with 0.2 % of 16–24-year-old men).
Conclusions
Child sexual abuse has been widespread in religious organizations in Australia. A decline over time indicates progress has been made in preventing sexual abuse of children. Religious organizations must take all reasonable measures to prevent child sexual abuse, with a particular need for interventions targeting male leaders, and organizational cultures.
Child Abuse and Neglect, 2021
Objective: Researchers are increasingly using parental report measures in population-based survey... more Objective: Researchers are increasingly using parental report measures in population-based surveys of violence against children. No research thus far has examined the factor structure of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Child Abuse Screening Tool Parent Version (ICAST-P), a non-commercialized measure for prevalence studies. Methods: This paper uses secondary data from the Balkan Epidemiological Study on Child Abuse and Neglect (BECAN) which included 25,202 primary caregivers of school-going children in three grades (aged 11, 13 and 16).. Primary caregivers completed the ICAST-P 2010-2011, which measures children's exposure to physical and psychological violence and neglect by caregivers and sexual violence by any perpetrator. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the reliability and the factor structure of the ICAST-P for a four-dimensional model and a bifactor model, with one general factor and four group factors representing the specific components of each set of items. Measurement invariance could not be tested. Results: Lifetime prevalence for physical violence was 66.7 %, for psychological violence 66.6 %, for sexual violence 3.1 % and for neglect 9.1 %. CFA showed adequate fit for the hypothesized four-dimensional model, however, improved fit was shown for a bifactor model with abuse as the general factor. Internal consistency was good for physical and psychological violence, but not
Child Abuse & Neglect, Oct 1, 2020
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Jan 25, 2023
Violence against children (VAC) is conceptualized to include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sex... more Violence against children (VAC) is conceptualized to include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. Measuring the prevalence, nature, risk factors, and impacts of childhood violence victimization is essential for prevention and response efforts (World Health Oraganization, 2014). Measuring VAC There are multiple methods that can be used to measure VAC, including child self-report, adult retrospective selfreport, parent report, police or agency records, or researcher observations (Meinck et al., 2016). Self-report measures (adult and child) ask participants about their experiences with VAC. They are often the most feasible; they are less likely to suffer from underreporting and are more cost effective, when compared to other measurement types, and are thus commonly used in both prevalence surveys and studies on intervention effectiveness (Meinck et al., 2016).
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Nov 28, 2022
Child maltreatment and harsh parenting both include harmful actions by parents toward children th... more Child maltreatment and harsh parenting both include harmful actions by parents toward children that are physical (e.g., spanking, slapping) or emotional (e.g., threatening, yelling). The distinction between these two constructs, in meaning and measurement, is often unclear, leading to inconsistent research and policy. This study systematically identified, reviewed, and compared parent-reported child maltreatment (N = 7) and harsh parenting (N = 18) instruments. The overlap in parenting behaviors was 73%. All physical behaviors that were measured in harsh parenting instruments (e.g., spanking, beating up) were also measured in child maltreatment instruments. Unique physical behaviors measured in maltreatment instruments include twisting body parts and choking. All emotional behaviors in maltreatment instruments were included in harsh parenting instruments, and vice versa. Our findings suggest similar, but not identical, operationalizations of child maltreatment and harsh parenting. Our findings can help guide discussions on definitions, operationalizations, and their consequences for research on violence against children.
Journal of the International AIDS Society, Mar 1, 2019
Introduction: Adolescent girls are at high risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Mental he... more Introduction: Adolescent girls are at high risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Mental health distress, driven by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, poverty and family HIV, may be an important driver of HIV risk behaviour among adolescent girls, while education may mitigate these risks. This study aimed to develop an empirically based theoretical model between ACEs, mental health distress and HIV risk behaviour among adolescent girls in South Africa and to investigate the potential moderating effects of free schooling provision. Methods: Self-report questionnaires using validated scales were completed by adolescent girls aged 12 to 17 at baseline in two provinces in South Africa in 2011, with a 99% one-year follow-up in 2012 (n = 1498). Sampling included every household in randomly selected census enumeration areas of four deprived health districts. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to identify measurement models and a structural equation model was developed to test pathways of risk and protection. Results: Internalizing and externalizing mental health distress fully mediated the positive relationship between ACEs at baseline and HIV risk behaviour at follow-up among adolescent girls. Internalizing mental health distress was associated with increased sexual risk at follow-up via higher externalizing problems. Free schooling provision at baseline and follow-up eliminated the pathway from internalizing to externalizing mental health distress by moderating the pathway between ACEs and internalizing mental health distress. It also weakened the pathway from externalizing mental health distress to HIV risk behaviour at follow-up through a direct negative effect on externalizing mental health distress. Conclusions: Reducing ACEs and adolescent mental health distress is essential for reducing HIV risk behaviour among girls in South Africa. Free schooling provision may be an important tool for reducing these problems and mitigating negative pathways to HIV risk among vulnerable adolescent girls.
Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 2017
Parenting quality is important in child development. In the presence of HIV poverty and life stre... more Parenting quality is important in child development. In the presence of HIV poverty and life stress, parenting may be challenged and child development affected. This study examines cross-sectional associations of situational factors such as poverty, mental health, HIV status, living with a biological parent, and stigma with good parenting and child outcomes (n = 989; age = 4-13 years) within the Child Community Care study (South Africa and Malawi). A parenting measure was created from 10 variables comprising 6 child and 4 parent ratings. These were highly correlated. Total parenting score was generated on a 10-point continuous scale, with a good parenting cutoff then defined as ≥8 out of a possible 10. Five factors were associated with good parenting. Positively associated with good parenting were being the biological parent of the child, parental mental health and dwelling in households with multiple adults. Poverty and stigma were negatively associated with good parenting. Using multiple mediation analysis, a positive direct effect of good parenting was found on child self-esteem, child behaviour and educational risks with a partial mediation via child depression and trauma. These data highlight possible intervention points. Influences on parenting could be seen through being the biological parent, parental mental health, poverty and stigma. In these challenging environments, health, nutrition, mental health, education and treatment to keep parents alive are all clearly identified as potential pathways to ensure child well-being.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Jun 18, 2018
Journal of Development Economics, Sep 1, 2018
Using data from a randomized field experiment with 552 households in South Africa, we examine the... more Using data from a randomized field experiment with 552 households in South Africa, we examine the impact of a brief financial literacy training that was integrated into a broader psychosocial parenting intervention. Based on selfreported measures, we document significant improvements in financial behaviors, including higher saving and lower borrowing rates. We also see wider implications for household economic welfare, demonstrated by reduced self-reported financial distress, better resilience to economic shocks, and a greater capacity to securing basic needs. We argue that program impact may run through three effect channels, namely improved self-efficacy, higher family and community social support, and greater optimism. Overall, our findings suggest that "hybrid" program curricula that offer combinations of financial and psychosocial components can add value to stand-alone financial literacy training.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Jul 29, 2015
Programme (FP7/2007-2013, ERC grant agreement (313421). FM was funded by an ESRC studentship (OSS... more Programme (FP7/2007-2013, ERC grant agreement (313421). FM was funded by an ESRC studentship (OSSID 454387). Acknowledgements: The authors wish to thank the children who participated in the study, their families, all the field staff working tirelessly to interview as many children as possible, the Rural AIDS Development Action Research programme (RADAR) at the University of the Witwatersrand and Cape Town Child Welfare.
BMC Public Health, May 1, 2015
Background: Physical and emotional abuse of children is a large scale problem in South Africa, wi... more Background: Physical and emotional abuse of children is a large scale problem in South Africa, with severe negative outcomes for survivors. Although chronic household illness has shown to be a predictor for physical and emotional abuse, no research has thus far investigated the different pathways from household chronic illness to child abuse victimisation in South Africa. Methods: Confidential self-report questionnaires using internationally utilised measures were completed by children aged 10-17 (n = 3515, 56.7% female) using door-to-door sampling in randomly selected areas in rural and urban locations of South Africa. Follow-up surveys were conducted a year later (96.7% retention rate). Using multiple mediation analyses, this study investigated direct and indirect effects of chronic household illness (AIDS or other illness) on frequent (monthly) physical and emotional abuse victimisation with poverty and extent of the ill person's disability as hypothesised mediators. Results: For children in AIDS-ill families, a positive direct effect on physical abuse was obtained. In addition, positive indirect effects through poverty and disability were established. For boys, a positive direct and indirect effect of AIDS-illness on emotional abuse through poverty were detected. For girls, a positive indirect effect through poverty was observed. For children in households with other chronic illness, a negative indirect effect on physical abuse was obtained. In addition, a negative indirect effect through poverty and positive indirect effect through disability was established. For boys, positive and negative indirect effects through poverty and disability were found respectively. For girls, a negative indirect effect through poverty was observed. Conclusions: These results indicate that children in families affected by AIDS-illness are at higher risk of child abuse victimisation, and this risk is mediated by higher levels of poverty and disability. Children affected by other chronic illness are at lower risk for abuse victimisation unless they are subject to higher levels of household disability. Interventions aiming to reduce poverty and increase family support may help prevent child abuse in families experiencing illness in South Africa.
Uploads
Papers by Franziska Meinck
Numerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse in religious organizations. Despite this, evidence of population-wide prevalence is scarce.
Objective
To provide the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in religious organizations in Australia.
Methods
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) surveyed 8503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated based on responses to the child sexual abuse questions from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (ACMS).
Results
One in 250 people reported being sexually abused as a child by an adult in a religious organization (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %). Men reported significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse by these perpetrators (0.8 %, 95 % CI, 0.5–1.2 %), compared to women (0.1 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.3 %). This type of sexual abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %), compared to women (0 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.1 %), and was substantially more often experienced in Catholic organizations (71.9 %) than other Christian denominations or other religions. Prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious organizations has declined over time (2.2 % of men 65 years and older, compared with 0.2 % of 16–24-year-old men).
Conclusions
Child sexual abuse has been widespread in religious organizations in Australia. A decline over time indicates progress has been made in preventing sexual abuse of children. Religious organizations must take all reasonable measures to prevent child sexual abuse, with a particular need for interventions targeting male leaders, and organizational cultures.
Numerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse in religious organizations. Despite this, evidence of population-wide prevalence is scarce.
Objective
To provide the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in religious organizations in Australia.
Methods
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) surveyed 8503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated based on responses to the child sexual abuse questions from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (ACMS).
Results
One in 250 people reported being sexually abused as a child by an adult in a religious organization (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %). Men reported significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse by these perpetrators (0.8 %, 95 % CI, 0.5–1.2 %), compared to women (0.1 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.3 %). This type of sexual abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %), compared to women (0 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.1 %), and was substantially more often experienced in Catholic organizations (71.9 %) than other Christian denominations or other religions. Prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious organizations has declined over time (2.2 % of men 65 years and older, compared with 0.2 % of 16–24-year-old men).
Conclusions
Child sexual abuse has been widespread in religious organizations in Australia. A decline over time indicates progress has been made in preventing sexual abuse of children. Religious organizations must take all reasonable measures to prevent child sexual abuse, with a particular need for interventions targeting male leaders, and organizational cultures.
This is a 6-module self-paced online course free of charge and open to anyone.
We cover
* VAC concepts
* Measurement selection
* Piloting of measures
* Implementation and ethics
* Quantitative data analysis and interpretation
* Stakeholder involvement and dissemination
https://svri.thinkific.com/courses/take/measuring-violence-against-children/
Please also check out the other SVRI courses: https://svri.thinkific.com/collections
rapid systematic review of child abuse measures. The Short Child Maltreatment Questionnaire is introduced for countries needing a brief measure. Ideally, community-based surveys should be conducted with nationally representative samples of approximately 1500 students in each age group and administered via schools. The use of self-report methods – paper-based or tablet/mobile-phone self-administered questionnaires – is advised. Questions should capture previous-year and lifetime prevalence of child maltreatment. Monitoring prevalence rates over time requires surveys to be conducted at repeated time points. It is proposed that surveys be administered every four to seven years. Methods of data collection that do not involve children are presented for countries unable to conduct surveys with children. Finally, ethical considerations in conducting surveys on child maltreatment are discussed.