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The Anger Disorders Scale, version seven (ADSVII), is a self-report survey comprised of 74 items that span five domains (i.e.,
Provocations, Arousal, Cognitions, Motivations, and Behaviors) and eighteen individual
subscales. As previously noted, the ADS-VII includes seven subscales that specifically
measure cognitive aspects of anger and three subscales that specifically measure
aggressive behavior (see Figures 1 through 3). The remaining eight subscales assess
aspects of anger and aggression such as episode length, physiological arousal, and
desire to seek tension reduction.
Each item is rated by the person being assessed using a five point Likert scale (ranging
from 1, "never/rarely," to 5, "every time/frequently," or similar response choices). Items
were designed to assess the constructs for each subscale and were then subjected to a
factor analysis. Items were assigned to domains and subscales based on the results of
the factor analyses (i.e., to be included in a specific subscale individual items needed to
load only on the factor associated with that scale).
Items were administered during the test phase to both normal and clinical populations.
All items in the ADS-VII obtained factor loadings above .30 for the subscales to which
they were assigned. Each subscale is comprised of three or more items (most have five
items).
The ADS-VII yields scores for the subscales as well as a total score. The total score and
subscale scores have demonstrated moderate correlations with anxiety and depression
measures. The ADS-VII has demonstrated good internal consistency (.80 or greater) and
correlates well with the STAXI2 (Speilberger, 1999). It is believed to discriminate well
between anger and negative affect, as verified by factor analysis. The final version of
the ADS was normed using a sample of 204 participants, among them college students,
police officers, military personnel, and business men and women.
Participants were recruited from the New York Metropolitan area.
The internal consistency of the ADS-VII Total score, and the major theoretical domains
of the ADS-VII and its subscales, were assessed using a Cronbach's Alpha procedure.
Statistics were calculated based on the entire participant sample. The alpha for the Total
score was .97. The alpha coefficients for the 18 subscales ranged from .71 to .93. The
ADS Overall Aggression Score produced the highest alpha coefficient (.93), indicating
the scale is adequate for interpreting test responses of individual patients.
DiGiuseppe and Tafrate found correlations between the main scales of the ADS-VII and
the STAXI 2. All correlations were significant at the .001 level. The ADS-VII Total
scales core correlated with the STAXI2 Trait Anger scale (.78). The correlations
between the ADS-VII factor scores, Anger-Out and Anger-In, and the STAXI2 Trait
Anger scale were .73 and .67, respectively. These results support the concurrent validity
of the ADS-VII.
The Anger Disorders Scale is unique in its design in that it is the only scale that
comprehensively samples the cognitive, physiological, interpersonal, and motivational
factors associated with the production of anger and aggressive behavior. It is
constructed to provide data for making a diagnosis and for selecting treatment
modalities to address problems associated with anger. Because many of the biological,
cognitive and situational factors that are involved in the production of anger and
aggression for non-disabled persons will be the same (or similar) for persons with
cognitive limitations, the ADS-VII should be able to obtain useful data if it can be
modified effectively into an interview format.