Refining Anger: Summarizing the Self-Report Measurement of Anger

J Pers Assess. 2023 Nov-Dec;105(6):752-762. doi: 10.1080/00223891.2022.2152345. Epub 2022 Dec 8.

Abstract

The current paper presents a five-factor measurement model of anger summarizing scores on public-domain self-report measures of anger. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of self-report measures of anger (UK, n = 500; USA, n = 625) suggest five replicable latent anger factors: anger-arousal, anger-rumination, frustration-discomfort, anger-regulation, and socially constituted anger. Findings suggested a 5-factor interpretation provided the best fit of the data. We also report evidence of measurement invariance for this 5-factor model of anger across gender, age, and ethnicity. The findings suggest a useful and parsimonious account of anger, summarizing over 50 years of research around the self-report measurement of anger.

MeSH terms

  • Anger* / physiology
  • Arousal*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Frustration
  • Humans
  • Self Report