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

Background & Purpose: Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment reported to U.S. Child Protective Services and is associated with myriad adverse outcomes throughout the lifespan. Little research, however, has focused on neglect during adolescence, with the lack of developmentally sensitive measures of adolescent neglect presenting a barrier to progress. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Mid-Adolescent Neglect Scale (MANS), which was developed as part of the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). Specifically, it identifies and confirms that MANS factor structure and assesses its convergent validity.

Methods: The study sample included 16-year-old participants who completed the MANS (N=802) in the LONGSCAN, a five-site consortium of studies of children and youth at risk for maltreatment. The MANS is a 45-item youth self-report scale of past-year neglect by parents or primary caregivers. Items were rated on a 4-point scale. The scale was developed through expert modification of the Multidimensional Neglectful Behavior Scale (Straus et al., 1995) to pertain to mid-adolescence. Convergent validity measures included parent and adolescent ratings of Relationship Quality (6 items, range 1-5), shared Activities (9 items, range 0-9), Educational Aspirations (2 items, range 1-5), and Parental Monitoring (5 items, range 0-2), as well as CPS reports of any physical, supervisory, and overall neglect. The sample was randomly assigned into two groups. In the first group (n = 397), exploratory factor analysis with oblique (geomin) rotation was conducted. In the second group (n = 405), confirmatory factor and convergent validity analyses were conducted. Mplus v 8.1 was used for all analysis, with items indicated as ordinal and weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted (WLSMV) estimation. Model fit and theory were considered in determining the number of factors. A factor loading cutoff of .4 was used to assign items to dimensions. Convergent validity was assessed through individual regressions on the measurement model.

Results: The 5-factor solution was the most parsimonious solution in which all fit indices fell within pre-established thresholds (RMSEA = .047, 90% CI: .044, .051; CFI = 0.971; TLI = .963; SRMR = 0.044). The five dimensions were 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). Factor loadings ranged from 0.52 to 0.94. Convergent validity analysis showed expected correlations between youth reports of better relationship quality with mothers, more activities with mothers, and more parental monitoring, and lower Inadequate Monitoring and Inadequate Support. Parental reports of Activities were negatively associated with Inadequate Support and Permitting Misbehavior. CPS reports of physical neglect were positively associated with Inattention to Basic Needs. Contrary to hypotheses, youth- and parent-reported Activities were positively associated with Inattention to Basic Needs and physical neglect was negatively associated with Exposure to Risky Situations. 

Conclusions & Implications: Results establish psychometric properties of an adolescent neglect scale that may be valuable to researchers studying neglect during this important developmental period.