Psychometric properties of the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (MIA) in a population‐based sample

Abstract

We report on the psychometric properties of the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (MIA), a self‐report instrument for quantifying the frequency of mental health and psychosocial adaptation problems using a dimensional approach and based on the DSM‐5. The instrument includes 113 questions, takes 20–25 minutes to answer, and covers the past 12 months. A population‐based cohort of adolescents (n = 1443, age = 15 years; 48% males) rated the frequency at which they experienced symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression, Generalized Anxiety, Social Phobia, Eating Disorders (i.e. DSM disorders), Self‐harm, Delinquency, Psychopathy as well as social adaptation problems (e.g. aggression). They also rated interference with functioning in four contexts (family, friends, school, daily life). Reliability analyses indicated good to excellent internal consistency for most scales (alpha = 0.70–0.97) except Psychopathy (alpha = 0.46). The hypothesized structure of the instrument showed acceptable fit according to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) [Chi‐square (4155) = 9776.2, p = 0.000; Chi‐square/DF = 2.35; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.031; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.864], and good convergent and discriminant validity according to multitrait‐multimethods analysis. This initial study showed adequate internal validity and reliability of the MIA. Our findings open the way for further studies investigating other validity aspects, which are necessary before recommending the wide use of the MIA in research and clinical settings.

Pathways of Association Between Childhood Irritability and Adolescent Suicidality

“…Adolescents were asked, "in the past 12 months, did you ever seriously think of attempting suicide" and "how many times did you attempt suicide" (0 versus !1), at 15 and/or 17 years. 29,30 Then, the variable suicidality (ie, reporting !1 serious suicide ideation or attempt at 15 or 17 years) was derived.…”

“…We used suicidal ideation (excluding attempters) and suicide attempt as separate outcomes to see whether the patterns differed between these 2 outcomes. In addition, we re-estimated our model using intermediate mental health symptoms measured at 15 years (instead of 13 years) with the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessments for Adolescents 29 to assess the consistency of our findings.…”

Early childhood child care and disruptive behavior problems during adolescence: a 17‐year population‐based propensity score study

“…At 12, 13, 15, and 17 years of age, children reported the frequency at which they exhibited physically aggressive and oppositional behavior using the Social Behavior Questionnaire (Government of Canada, S. C. ; Murray, Eisner, & Ribeaud, ; Offord, Boyle, & Racine, ; Tremblay et al., ) and the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (Côté et al., ). Physical aggression was assessed with the following three items: got into fights; physically attacked people; and hit, bit, or kicked others (α = .83–.93).…”

Childhood trajectories of peer victimization and prediction of mental health outcomes in midadolescence: a longitudinal population-based study

“…At age 15 years, participants completed the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment, 18 to assess the frequency, in the past 12 months (where 1 = never, 2 = sometimes, and 3 = often), of depression and dysthymia problems (Cronbach α = 0.90; 8 items), generalized anxiety problems (Cronbach α = 0.86; 9 items), social anxiety problems (Cronbach α = 0.90; 7 items), eating problems (Cronbach α = 0.70; 5 items), oppositional or defiance problems (Cronbach α = 0.84; 9 items) and conduct problems (Cronbach α = 0.95; 16 items). We also asked participants to rate the severity (as "not at all," "slightly," "somewhat" or "a lot") of any associated impairments across 4 domains of daily functioning (home, school, friendship or romantic relationships, daily occupations).…”