Table 1

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteriaExclusion criteria
PopulationThe study focuses on the prevention of CM among children under 18 years of age.The study focuses on the prevention of maltreatment/violence over 18 years of age
(eg, college students, adults).
CMThe study focuses on CM.
CM can include:

  • Maltreatment in general

  • Abuse (sexual, physical, psychological/emotional)

  • Neglect (physical, psychological/emotional)

  • Exposure to IPV, for example, witnessing

The study does not focus on child maltreatment.
It describes, for example:

  • Violence in general

  • Violence between children

  • Intimate partner violence itself

  • Terrorism

  • Violence in adulthood

  • ACEs without specifics to CM

  • Adults suffer from CM in the past

PreventionThe study describes conceptual prevention strategies (theories, models or frameworks) for CM.
For example, prevention strategies from a broader population health perspective including universal, selective, indicated or primary, secondary and tertiary prevention approaches.
These can be directed at multiple levels including children themselves, their families, neighbourhood and other settings.		The study does not describe conceptual prevention strategies (theories, models or frameworks) for CM.
For example, studies focussing on healthy development or child welfare, health promotion, consequences of child maltreatment in adulthood (eg, alcohol or substance abuse), child protection not related to maltreatment (eg, war, terrorism, consequences of poverty), articles displaying determinants or risk factors for CM only and evaluation of single interventions.
Concept, theory, etcThe study presents a theory, model or framework for prevention of CM.

  • Describe conceptual prevention strategies (eg, by providing a structure or categorisation of prevention activities)

  • Explain mechanisms

  • Might be supported by empirical data

The study does not provide a theory, model or framework for prevention of CM.

  • Animal models

  • Statistical models, theories

  • ACE, adverse childhood experience; CM, child maltreatment; IPV, intimate partner violence.