NCJ Number
106419
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1987) Pages: 166-178
Date Published
1987
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A 6 item measure was developed for the rapid screening and identification of anger and aggression levels in violence-prone men, and its use in four studies indicates satisfactory validity.
Abstract
A clinical data base of 401 men was used. Except for 26 nonviolent controls, all subjects were enrolled in the Harborview Anger Management Program, a specialty clinic for anger dyscontrol and function problems at the University of Washington Medical School (Seattle, Wash.). Analyses indicated internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and a significant relationship between the brief measure and Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory total scores. Significantly higher scores were observed for three types of assault samples, including a group of domestic batterers, a group of generally assaultive men, and a mixed assault group, when compared to nonviolent controls. Discriminant analysis determined a cutting score for violent versus nonviolent group classification. Significant differences observed at posttest between an anger management treatment group and waiting-list control subjects further illustrated the measure's sensitivity to changes in psychological status and provided additional support for its clinical validity and utility. The measure has not been examined with abusive but nonassaultive men nor has its utility in discriminating different levels and specific subtypes of interpersonal violence been demonstrated. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 13 references, and sample questionnaire. (Author abstract modified)