Development of an Aggression Scale for Adolescents: Based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior

Jang, Sook; Ahn, Hye Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to develop a scale for measuring aggression in adolescents, based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).
METHODS
The participants were 38 adolescents in an in-depth study conducted to develop items for indirect measurement, 13 adolescents in a pre-test, and 289 adolescents in the present survey. The collected data were analyzed using content validity, the correlation coefficient, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, and the Cronbach's Î±.
RESULTS
In this study, the most important variable related to aggression was found to be aggression intention. This study included 4 factors of direct measurement and 6 factors of indirect measurement; therefore, 41 questions were developed. Increased levels of aggression were associated with higher scores for attitudes of aggression, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and aggression intention.
CONCLUSION
We found that the questionnaire used in this study was valid and reliable as a measurement scale to explain aggression in adolescents based on TPB. Aggression intention should be included in aggression prevention programs because it was linked to aggressive behavior.