DEVELOPMENT OF A RUSSIAN STATE-TRAIT ANGER EXPRESSION INVENTORY

We examined the possible universality of Spielberger's (1988) model of anger by validating a Russian State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). In Eckhardt, Kassinove. Tsytsarev. and Sukhodolsky (1995), su pport was found for all STAXI factors except anger-in, using students from St. Petersburg Slate University. In the present study, 346 studen ts from Russian high schools and the Pavlov Medical School served as s ubjects. Using new items, we found strong support for the factor struc ture hypothesized by Spielberger. Aii scales showed good to excellent alphas, and there was substantial similarity oi the current means with results from the earlier study. The Russian samples, however, showed a lower level of state anger. The data support the possibility that sl ate anger consists of two subscales, a simple experience and an experi ence combined with an action tendency. Trait anger occurs as a general temperament or as a reaction to specific triggers. It is positively r elated to anger-out and negatively related to anger control. Future st udies can use this instrument to evaluate the stability of anger in Ru ssian speaking populations, and to assess anger experiences and expres sion in response to specific triggers. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc .