NCJ Number
195520
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 364-378
Date Published
June 2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to evaluate the utility of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) in a sample of both voluntary and court-ordered anger-management clients diagnosed with significant anger problems.
Abstract
Anger management programs have become increasingly prevalent in correctional settings and offered as an alternative to traditional sentencing for crimes involving assault. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), a self report instrument, has been identified, but not evaluated, as an effective tool for screening participants for anger management interventions, for treatment planning, and for evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. This study set out to assess the degree to which the self-report nature of this instrument might compromise its concurrent validity in relation to independently observed problems with anger management, both with voluntary and non-voluntary clients in a clinical setting. Participants of the study consisted of 82 men enrolled in a 10-week anger management group conducted over a 2-year period at a hospital housing a community mental health clinic in central New Jersey. Study findings were consistent with previous studies indicating significant limitations to the utility of self-report instruments. Even though STAXI demonstrated strong psychometric qualities in a neutral research setting, it shared a vulnerability to response bias common to self-report instruments in a forensic setting. However, it was found the STAXI appeared to accurately assess the anger profiles of many voluntary and court-ordered clients. These instruments require interpretation by psychologists with strong assessment skills and qualified to evaluate both the strengths and weaknesses of information from all sources. References