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.