NCJ Number
197409
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 383-402
Date Published
August 2002
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article describes the development and preliminary psychometric properties of the Anger Management Scale (AMS), which was designed to assess concrete, specific cognitions and behaviors that can increase or decrease anger in intimate partner relationships.
Abstract
The development of the AMS began with a theoretical analysis of the construct "anger management," so as to identify the facets or domains of the construct. Part of the development process included a review of current research in the area of skills and cognitions associated with the increasing or decreasing likelihood of partner violence. This was followed by a review of items included in existing measures. Finally, treatment programs for domestic violence offenders were examined, and items were developed to represent anger management skills and issues most often addressed in the treatment programs. After 75 items were developed from the aforementioned procedures, the research team reviewed the initial set of items for clarity and duplication. The team selected 48 items for the scale development versions of the AMS. The AMS has four subscales: Escalating Strategies (behaviors that increase reactivity to the partner); Negative Attributions (cognitions such as blame or negative intentions attributed to the partner of the respondent); Self-Awareness (awareness of physiological changes indicating rising anger); and Calming Strategies (behaviors that decrease reactivity to the partner). In administering the AMS to a college student sample (n=475), preliminary psychometric data showed a meaningful factor structure, good reliability, and good construct validity. The study concluded that the AMS could be used as one source of information for conducting risk assessment, designing treatment plans, screening high-risk groups for prevention programs, and assessing change over time or following treatment. 6 tables, 48 references, and appended full-version and short versions of the AMS