Identifying and selecting outcome measures for the children and families domestic abuse core outcome set

The evidence base for child-focused domestic abuse (DA) interventions is weak. Part of the challenge is that studies measure a range of different outcomes using different outcome measurement instruments (OMI). To address this, a core outcome set (COS) comprising five outcomes was developed. The current study aimed to: (1) identify relevant OMIs and assess their quality for three outcomes in the DA-COS (family relationships, feelings of safety, freedom to go about daily life); and (2) reach consensus between participants on acceptable OMIs for use in research and practice contexts.

We carried out a four-stage mixed-methods process to identify, appraise, and reach consensus on relevant tools including targeted, systematic literature searches, participant workshops to define outcome concepts, OMI appraisal of psychometrics and acceptability, and a multi-participant consensus workshop to reach consensus on OMI selection. In total, 239 OMIs were initially identified and reduced to 18 through a systematic appraisal process. Following a rating process of acceptability and feasibility, eight OMIs were taken to a final consensus workshop which resulted in the identification and provisional recommendation of two subscales from a newly developed tool for family relationships and feelings of safety. No suitable OMI was recommended for freedom to go about daily life.

This work is the next step toward the development of a child and family-focused DA-COS, that we hope will enable co-ordinated outcome measurement within and between practice and research. Further work is needed to adapt and evaluate the selected OMI as well as to develop a new tool to measure freedom to go about daily life. Work is needed to support the implementation of the DA-COS, ensure its applicability to families with diverse needs or from underserved communities and to track the benefits and potential harms of its use in this field.