Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Measuring parental neglect is challenging on many levels and few tools exist that are able to document it with parents. This study aims to document the psychometric properties in the French version of the population-based Multidimensional Neglectful Behavior Scale, short version. METHOD: This study uses data from a telephone survey conducted with a representative sample of 3584 mothers and 1202 fathers of children aged between 6 months and 4 years old, 5 and 9 years old, and 10 and 15 years old. Associations are made between neglect and several other factors known to be linked to this issue, including violent parental behaviors, stress associated with the child perceived difficult temper and work-family balance, alcohol and drug use, depression symptoms, poverty, and social support. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis show the presence of different neglect dimensions relating to the children affective/cognitive, physical (basic care) and supervision needs. Although these dimensions are closely associated with the children and families’ psychosocial vulnerability factors, internal consistency coefficients are low, ranging from 0.20 to 0.64. CONCLUSION: Recommendations are made to improve measure in general population, including the parental supervision dimension which is particularly challenging.