NCJ Number
223331
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 35 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 741-754
Date Published
June 2008
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the psychometric properties of the Novaco Anger Scale (NAS); investigated its relationship to anger, social desirability, and personality; and evaluated its factor dimensions using confirmatory factor analytic procedures.
Abstract
Results show that the NAS is a useful measure of anger in an offender population, and may have utility in identifying problem areas that can be addressed through institutional programming; the correlations between the NAS and anger measures were significant. Analysis of the NAS domains and subscales, based on gender, produced mixed results; for the NAS Part A, cognitive subscale, and behavioral subscales, no significant differences existed between males and females. The NAS Part B and arousal subscale displayed moderate differences between males and females. The NAS Total Scale Score also showed moderate gender differences. The differences in NAS Part B and arousal subscale may suggest some sensitivity by these subscales in distinguishing between males and females. Research indicates that females experience various feelings, including anger, more often than males. Regarding anger expression, females displayed more communicative expression relative to males. NAS group differences were consistent with the current research literature that suggests there are some gender differences in certain types of anger, hostility, and aggression constructs. Data were collected from an archival dataset of 1,308 adult offenders incarcerated in “Program Units” of 3 large county jail facilities in southeastern Florida. Tables, references