Work

Surveying children and young people on sensitive topics: Creating engaging, accessible, trauma-informed digital questionnaires

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Research with children and young people requires bespoke measurement tools and methodologies, designed with the end-user in mind. Objective This paper describes the design of digital questionnaires for children and young people which are engaging, accessible, and trauma-informed. It is presented in the context of a larger study, which designed violence prevalence survey questionnaires for participants aged 11–25 years in the United Kingdom. Participants and setting Data collection was conducted with child abuse and violence research professionals, adults and children with lived experience of violence in the UK, and children and young people in the target age group in the UK. Methods Feedback on the design of the questionnaires was gathered via online Delphi surveys, focus groups, participatory research sessions, qualitative interviews, and individual consultations. Thematic analysis was conducted to review feedback on digital format features, trauma-informed design, and accessibility. The project followed an iterative and multi-stage process. Findings Digital formatting (including matrix questions, survey branching, and navigation buttons), trauma-informed design (including question introductions and opt-out response phrasing), and accessibility features (including audio recordings and readability) can be utilised to generate an engaging, accessible, and trauma-informed measurement tool appropriate for children and young people. Conclusions Using an inclusive and child-focused approach to design has the potential to positively impact children's ability and willingness to engage with surveys, ultimately improving the resulting data and our understanding of children's experiences of violence.

Source: Child Protection and Practice

DOI: 10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100274

Authors: Anna McCarthy, Julia I. Rudolph, Deborah Fry, Claire P. Monks, Rosana Pacella, Franziska Meinck