Psychometric Properties of a Self-Report Measure of Neglect during Mid-Adolescence

Abstract

Developmentally specific measures of neglect remain lacking, especially concerning neglect in adolescence. The current study examines the Mid-Adolescent Neglect Scale (MANS), a 45-item youth, self-reported measure of neglect. Sixteen-year-old participants (N = 802) in the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) completed the MANS, and they and their parents completed measures of parent-child relationship quality and parental monitoring. Reports of alleged neglect were coded from child protective services records. The sample was randomly assigned into two groups. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted in the first group (n = 397) and confirmatory factor and convergent validity analyses (n = 405) were conducted in the second group. Five dimensions of adolescent neglect were identified: Inadequate Monitoring, Inattention to Basic Needs, Permitting Misbehavior, Exposure to Risky Situations, and Inadequate Support. Confirmatory factor analysis largely supported the measurement model (CFI = 0.951, TLI =.948, RMSEA = 0.058, 90% RMSEA = 0.055, 0.061), as did convergent validity analyses. Results establish psychometric properties of an adolescent neglect scale that may be valuable to researchers studying neglect during this important developmental period.