Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire: Testing Alternative Measurement Models With Assaultive Misdemeanor Offenders. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallagher, John M.; Ashford, José B.
• Is Part Of: Criminal justice and behavior. Volume 43:Number 11(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1639
• Page End: 1652
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: aggression -- measurement -- misdemeanor offenders -- confirmatory factor analysis -- assaultive offenders -- Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire; Correctional psychology -- Periodicals; 364.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854816643986
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-8548

Abstract

The Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BP-AQ) is a 29-item, four-factor instrument that measures physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. A large number of competing versions of the original BP-AQ have been proffered in the literature, but testing with aggressive offenders is limited. The present study used confirmatory factor analysis to compare the fit of seven models with a sample of 246 men and women who pled guilty to misdemeanor aggressive offenses. The study found two similar parsimonious 12-item versions of the four-factor BP-AQ that outperformed the other models and fit the data well while retaining acceptable reliability. Taken together, superior psychometric properties, acceptable reliability, and reduced item-burden are properties that clearly support the usage of either of these 12-item versions. The relative merits of these shorter versions of the BP-AQ are examined and implications for their use in applied contexts and further research are considered.