Research using population-based administration data integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings: A systematic review

PLoS ONE, vol. 16, pp. e0249088

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Over the past decade there has been a marked growth in the use of linked population administrative data for child protection research. This is the first systematic review of studies to report on research design and statistical methods used where population-based administrative data is integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The electronic databases Medline (Ovid), PsycINFO, Embase, ERIC, and CINAHL were systematically searched in November 2019 to identify all the relevant studies. The protocol for this review was registered and published with Open Science Framework (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/96PX8). RESULTS: The review identified 30 studies reporting on child maltreatment, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse and education. The quality of almost all studies was strong, however the studies rated poorly on the reporting of data linkage methods. The statistical analysis methods described failed to take into account mediating factors which may have an indirect effect on the outcomes of interest and there was lack of utilisation of multi-level analysis. CONCLUSION: We recommend reporting of data linkage processes through following recommended and standardised data linkage processes, which can be achieved through greater co-ordination among data providers and researchers.

Authors 6

1. Fadzai Chikwava corresponding

   Curtin University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

2. Reinie Cordier

   Curtin University · Northumbria University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom

   School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

3. Anna M. Ferrante

   Curtin University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

4. Melissa O’Donnell

   University of South Australia · The Kids Research Institute Australia · The University of Western Australia

   Affiliation as printed

   Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

   Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia

5. Renée Speyer Aachen Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

   Leiden University · University of Oslo · Curtin University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

   Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

   School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

6. Lauren Parsons

   Curtin University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia