Anger Expression Scale and State-Trait Anger Scale: Stability, Reliability, and Factor Structure in an Inmate Sample

• NCJ Number: 139866
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 397-408
• Author(s): D G Kroner; J R Reddon
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Psychometric properties of the Anger Expression Scale (AX) and the State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS) were examined in a sample of 137 male inmates.

Abstract

Principal component analysis of the Anger Expression Scale yielded the factors of anger-in, anger-out, and anger-control. Internal consistency reliabilities of the factor scales were .72, .80, and .87, respectively. For the State-Trait Anger Scale, three factors were indicated: experience of anger/hostility (state items), arousal of anger (seven trait items), and situational anger when devalued (three trait items). The internal consistency alphas were .94, .79, .71, respectively. There was a factor distinction between state-anger and trait-anger, but test-retest coefficients were stronger for the state than for the trait subscale and thus question a temporal state/trait distinction. The study findings provide support for the use of the Anger Expression Scale for inmates but suggest caution in the use of the State-Trait Anger Scale. 5 tables and 28 references