Development of the Anger Coping Scale

Koh, Kyung Bong; Park, Joong Kyu

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to develop the Anger Coping Scale (ACS).
METHODS
First, a preliminary survey was conducted for 123 healthy adults to obtain 23 response items. Second, a preliminary questionnaire was completed by 258 healthy subjects. Third, a comparison was made regarding anger coping between 72 depressive disorder patients and 258 healthy subjects.
RESULTS
Factor analysis yielded 5 subscales : behavioral aggression, problem-solving coping, verbal aggression, tensionreleasing coping and anger suppression. Reliability was computed by administering the ACS to 53 healthy subjects during a 2-week interval. Test-retest reliability for 5 subscales was significantly high, ranging between .39-.78. Cronbach's alpha for 5 subscales ranged between .58-.86. Convergent validity was computed by correlating the 5 subscales score with the total score of the Aggression Questionnaire, the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the anger and aggression subscale of the Stress Response Inventory and the hostility subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The depressive disorder group scored significantly higher on the anger suppression subscale than the control group. However, the normal control group scored significantly higher on the behavioral aggression and tension-releasing coping subscale than the depressive disorder group.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that the ACS is highly reliable and valid. In addition, depressive disorder patients are more likely to use anger suppression than healthy individuals, whereas healthy individuals are more likely to use both behavioral aggression and tension-releasing coping than depressive disorder patients. Further transcultural study on anger coping is required.