ASSESSING INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES IN CONSTRUCTIVE VERSUS DESTRUCTIVE RESPONSES TO ANGER ACROSS THE LIFE-SPAN

Scenario-based, self-report measures were developed to assess how peop le characteristically experience and manage anger from middle childhoo d through adulthood. The Anger Response Inventories (ARIs) for childre n, adolescents, and adults each assess (a) anger arousal, (b) intentio ns, (c) cognitive and behavioral responses, and (d) long-term conseque nces. Several independent studies provide support for the reliability and validity of the ARIs. Theoretically consistent patterns of correla tions were observed with (a) global self-report measures of hostility, aggression, and anger-management strategies (adult version); (b) teac her reports of behavioral and emotional adjustment (child and adolesce nt versions); and (c) self and family-member reports of behaviors in s pecific anger episodes (adolescent and adult versions). Findings from additional personality and developmental studies are summarized, furth er supporting construct validity.