Development of child neglect norms of urban children aged 3-6 years in China

  Objective   To develop the Child Neglect Norms(CNN)of urban children aged 3-6 years and provide a measure tool and evaluation criterion for carrying out study, investigation and prevention on child neglect in China.

  Methods   (1) 1 457 children(726 males(49.8%))were randomly sampled from 5 cities, which were representatives of 7 administrative regions of China in accordance with sex, age.The minority nationality's proportion was 4.9%.(2)The questionnaire was composed of 146 items of 6 subscales.The data were collected by trained professional staff.(3)Data were analysed by item's distinguishing power analysis, factor analysis, internal consistency analysis to delete unsuitable items, subscales and age groups; by reliability analysis(Cronbach's alphas, Split-half reliability, the test-reliability, parallel reliability)and validity analysis(construction validity, face validity and exterior validity)to formal scales and then determine corresponding parameters to finish final norms.

  Results   (1) General characteristic: ①CNN scores(x±s)for the male children was not significantly different form that for female children.②There was no significant difference between male and female children for each of the 6 neglect subscales.(2)Developing scales: The overall scale was developed by item's distinguishing power analysis, factor analysis and iternal consistency analysis in which 53 items and 1 subscale(the social neglect subscale)were removed from the initial questionnaire.The final CNN scale contained 91 items of 5 neglect subscales.Reliability analysis(coefficient of Internal consistency, Split-half reliability, Test-retest reliability and parallel reliability of the overall CNN and all neglect subscale)and Validity analysis(The construction Validity, Cronbach's alphas, Face Vialidity and Exterior Validity)were perfect.(3)Cut-off Point of the CNN: Percentile 90(P₉₀)of the score on each neglect subscale and the overall scale were respectively; physical neglect subscale 35, emotion 80, education 40, safety 20 and medicine 15, the overall scale 190.

  Conclusion   The CNN which consisted of 91 items of 5 scales may evaluate physical, emotional, educational, medical and safe neglect situation for children respectively.It may also be useful in assessing parent's and child-caregiver's behaviors and attitude.