State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory

State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory

The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) is a self-report measure of anger developed by Charles D. Spielberger, PhD. It assesses both the short-term experience of anger (state anger) and the more general trait of anger (trait anger) . The STAXI consists of two scales: the State Anger Scale and the Trait Anger Scale.

The State Anger Scale is used to assess the intensity of an individual’s current anger experience. It includes items such as “I feel angry right now” and “I feel like hitting someone.”

The Trait Anger Scale is used to assess an individual’s general tendency to experience anger. It includes items such as “I get angry easily” and “I hold grudges.”

Additionally, the STAXI also includes two scales to assess the ways in which an individual expresses their anger: the Anger-In and Anger-Out Scales. The Anger-In Scale is used to assess the extent to which an individual represses or suppresses their anger, while the Anger-Out Scale is used to assess the extent to which an individual expresses their anger in an assertive or aggressive manner.

The STAXI is widely used in research and clinical settings to assess and track changes in anger, to identify individuals at risk for anger-related problems, and to evaluate the effectiveness of anger management interventions.

History

The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) was developed by Charles D. Spielberger, PhD, in the late 1970s. The original version of the STAXI was first published in 1983, and has since undergone several revisions. The STAXI is based on the theory of emotion as a two-factor model, which posits that emotions have both a physiological state component (referred to as state anger) and a personality trait component (referred to as trait anger).

The STAXI was developed as a way to assess both the short-term experience of anger (state anger) and the more general trait of anger (trait anger). Spielberger and his colleagues believed that this would allow for a more comprehensive assessment of anger, as well as a better understanding of the relationship between the two.

The STAXI has been widely used in research and clinical settings to assess and track changes in anger, to identify individuals at risk for anger-related problems, and to evaluate the effectiveness of anger management interventions. The STAXI has been translated and adapted to different cultures and languages, and has been used in a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

It is important to note that, as with any psychological measure, the STAXI should be used in conjunction with other assessment methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s anger, and that the use of the measure should be guided by professional judgement and ethical considerations.

Administration and Scoring 

The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) is typically administered as a self-report measure, with individuals completing the scale on their own. The scale is typically completed on paper, but it is also available in an online format.

The STAXI includes two scales: the State Anger Scale and the Trait Anger Scale. The State Anger Scale includes items that assess the intensity of an individual’s current anger experience, such as “I feel angry right now” and “I feel like hitting someone.” The Trait Anger Scale includes items that assess an individual’s general tendency to experience anger, such as “I get angry easily” and “I hold grudges.”

In addition to the State and Trait Anger Scales, the STAXI also includes two scales to assess the ways in which an individual expresses their anger: the Anger-In and Anger-Out Scales. The Anger-In Scale is used to assess the extent to which an individual represses or suppresses their anger, while the Anger-Out Scale is used to assess the extent to which an individual expresses their anger in an assertive or aggressive manner.

Scoring of the STAXI is typically done by summing the scores on each of the four scales (State Anger, Trait Anger, Anger-In, and Anger-Out) to obtain a total score for each scale. The scores can be interpreted in terms of the level of state and trait anger, and the ways in which anger is expressed (inwards or outwards). It is important to note that scoring and interpretation should be done by a trained professional, who can take into account the context and other relevant information.

Interpretation of Results

The results of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) are typically interpreted in terms of the level of state and trait anger, as well as the ways in which anger is expressed (inwards or outwards).

Scores on the State Anger Scale indicate the intensity of an individual’s current anger experience. High scores on this scale suggest that an individual is currently experiencing a high level of anger. Low scores suggest that an individual is currently experiencing a low level of anger.

Scores on the Trait Anger Scale indicate an individual’s general tendency to experience anger. High scores on this scale suggest that an individual has a tendency to experience anger frequently or easily. Low scores suggest that an individual has a tendency to experience anger less frequently or less easily.

Scores on the Anger-In Scale indicate the extent to which an individual represses or suppresses their anger. High scores on this scale suggest that an individual tends to repress or suppress their anger. Low scores suggest that an individual does not tend to repress or suppress their anger.

Scores on the Anger-Out Scale indicate the extent to which an individual expresses their anger in an assertive or aggressive manner. High scores on this scale suggest that an individual tends to express their anger in an assertive or aggressive manner. Low scores suggest that an individual does not tend to express their anger in an assertive or aggressive manner.

It is important to note that interpretation of the STAXI results should be done by a trained professional, who can take into account the context and other relevant information. It is also important to keep in mind that the STAXI is not a diagnostic tool and should be used in conjunction with other assessment methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s anger.

Uses and Applications

The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) is widely used in research and clinical settings to assess and track changes in anger, to identify individuals at risk for anger-related problems, and to evaluate the effectiveness of anger management interventions. Some of the specific uses and applications of the STAXI include:

1. Research: The STAXI is commonly used in psychological research to study the nature and causes of anger and its related problems, such as aggression and violence. Researchers use the STAXI to assess the level of anger in different groups of people and to investigate the relationship between anger and other psychological variables, such as stress and coping.
2. Clinical assessment: The STAXI is often used in mental health clinics and substance abuse treatment centers to help identify individuals with anger-related problems and to evaluate the effectiveness of anger management interventions.
3. Forensic assessment: The STAXI is used to assess anger and aggression in individuals who have been involved in criminal or violent behavior.
4. Organizational settings: The STAXI is also used in organizational settings to assess the level of anger among employees and to identify factors that contribute to anger-related problems in the workplace.
5. Educational settings: The STAXI is used to assess anger among students and to identify factors that contribute to anger-related problems in educational settings.
6. Sports: The STAXI is used to assess anger among athletes, and to identify the factors that contribute to anger-related problems in sports performance.

It is important to note that the use of the STAXI should be guided by professional judgement and ethical considerations, and that interpretation of the results should be done by a trained professional who can take into account the context and other relevant information.

Criticisms and Limitations

Like any psychological measure, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) has its own set of criticisms and limitations that should be considered when interpreting its results. Some of the main criticisms and limitations of the STAXI include:

1. Validity: Some researchers have criticized the STAXI for its lack of construct validity, arguing that the scale does not adequately measure the construct of anger.
2. Reliability: The STAXI has been found to have moderate to high test-retest reliability, which means that the scores obtained on the scale tend to be consistent over time. However, the internal consistency of the scale has been found to be moderate, which means that the items on the scale may not be measuring the same construct.
3. Cultural bias: The STAXI was developed in the United States and may not be appropriate for use with individuals from other cultures or ethnic groups, as the concept of anger and the expression of anger may differ across cultures.
4. Gender bias: Some researchers have argued that the STAXI may be biased against women, as it may not accurately capture the ways in which women express anger.
5. Self-report bias: As the STAXI is a self-report measure, there is a potential for bias in the results due to factors such as social desirability, which refers to the tendency of people to present themselves in a favorable light.
6. Limited scope: The STAXI only assesses the level of trait and state anger and the ways in which anger is expressed. It does not provide information about other important aspects of anger such as coping mechanisms, triggers, and the effectiveness of interventions.

Available Versions

There are several versions of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) available for use. Some of the most commonly used versions include:

1. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2): This is the most recent version of the STAXI, which was published in 1999. It includes the State Anger Scale, the Trait Anger Scale, the Anger-In Scale, and the Anger-Out Scale.
2. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Form Y (STAXI-Form Y): This version of the STAXI includes the State Anger Scale, the Trait Anger Scale, and the Anger-Out Scale. It was developed as a shorter version of the STAXI, with fewer items than the original version.
3. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Children and Adolescents (STAXI-CA): This version of the STAXI is designed for use with children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years old. It includes the State Anger Scale, the Trait Anger Scale, the Anger-In Scale, and the Anger-Out Scale.
4. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Short Form (STAXI-SF): This version of the STAXI is a shorter version of the original scale, and includes only the State Anger Scale, the Trait Anger Scale, and the Anger-Out Scale.
5. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Adults (STAXI-A): This version of the STAXI is designed for use with adults aged 18 and older. It includes the State Anger Scale, the Trait Anger Scale, the Anger-In Scale, and the Anger-Out Scale.

Reference

Spielberger, C. D., & Sydeman, S. J. (1994). State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.