Psychometric properties of the Assessment Tool for Perceived Agency (ATPA-22) : utility for the rehabilitation of young adults not in education, employment or training (NEETs)

Abstract

Background: Promoting and supporting agency have been at the heart of the debate multidisciplinary. To promote self-awareness of young people’s agency and identify persons in need of support the Assessment Tool for Perceived Agency (ATPA-22) was developed.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ATPA-22. Participants were young adults not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and students in higher education (HEI).

Materials and methods: The main data analysis was implemented by Many Faceted Rasch (MFR) analysis.

Results: The ATPA-22 items defined a unidimensional construct with reasonable internal consistency and separation ability. The ATPA-22 was capable of detecting differences between HEI students and young adult NEETs. Nine differential functioning items emerged between the groups.

Conclusions: ATPA-22 shows promise as a tool to assess young adults’ perceived agency. Anyhow, as the individual life situation affects strongly to perceived agency, research on the stability of the ATPA-22 among different populations is needed.

Significance: The purpose of the ATPA-22 is to measure perceived agency of individuals, and to identify aspects of agency in need for support. ATPA-22 can be used as a tool for promoting self-awareness of occupational challenges.