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STAXI-2TMState-Trait Anger Expression Inventory
DEVELOPED BY CHARLES D. SPIELBERGER, PhD
REPORT DEVELOPED FOR:
JOHN SAMPLE (Gender: MALE)
QUESTIONNAIRE USED UNDER LICENSE BY:Psychologist: MANUELA
IONESCUAdministered on: 14/06/2006Report generated on date/hour:
09.08.2006 / 11:03:44Identifier/serial number: 00000003
REPORT DEVELOPED BY DRAGOS G. ILIESCU, PH.D. AND HORIA D.
PITARIU, PH.D.BASED ON TEXT WRITTEN AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY
CHARLES D. SPIELBERGER, PH.D. AND PETER R. VAGG, PH.D.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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UNDERSTANDING THIS REPORT
This report helps in understanding those attitudes, emotional
states andbehaviors typical for the evaluated person in regard to
his/her feelings,control and expression of anger. This report also
states a differencebetween anger as a passing state and anger as a
personality trait, as wellas between the way these to facets are
present in the evaluated person.
The experience of anger as measured by the STAXI-2, is
conceptualised ashaving two major components: state and trait
anger.
State anger is defined as a psychobiological emotional state or
conditionmarked by subjective feelings that vary in intensity from
mild irritationor annoyance to intense fury and rage. Anger as a
psychobiologicalemotional state is generally accompanied by
muscular tension and byarousal of the neuroendocrine and autonomic
nervous systems.
Trait anger is defined in terms of individual differences in the
dispositionto perceive a wide range of situations as annoying or
frustrating and bythe tendency to respond to such situations with
elevations in state anger.Individuals with high trait anger
experience state anger more often andwith greater intensity than
individuals who are low in trait anger.
This report has been generated for the use of psychologists,
counselingstaff and other types of specialized professionals, in
their work withclients. The report may be used in clinical
activities, in developmental orpersonal optimization activities,
but also in the area of human resources,in the selection for
certain professions, career counseling and coachingfor managerial
levels.
Although formulated like a stand-alone report, which especially
in thesecond section (detailed report) may also be easily read by
persons nottrained in the usage of psychological tests, this report
has been projectedand developed in such a way as to offer
assistance to the professionalwho is interpreting the test
results.
These results should only be considered in conjuction with
professionaljudgment, after a careful and detailed analysis, and
only aftercorroborating these data with the results of an interview
and of possibleother psychometric instruments. Results contained in
this report may besubject to alterations and special highlights as
a function of suchcorroborations made by a specialised
professional.
This report is based on the STAXI-2, an instrument that has
beenvalidated in a wide variety of research programs.
The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, Second Edition
(STAXI-2) is astructured, verbal, omnibus measure of behavioral and
personalitypatterns. The questionnaire consists of 57 items,
grouped on 12 scales.
PURPOSE
DEFINITION
USAGE
FUNDAMENT
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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WHAT INFORMATION DOES THIS REPORT INCLUDE?
In addition to the introductory section, the report contains two
mainsections: 1. The STAXI-2 profile, 2. The Detailed Report.
The STAXI-2 profile section contains a graphical representation
of thescores characteristic for the evaluated person, for every one
of thestructural scales.
The scores for all the STAXI-2 scales are represented in
standardized Tscores. T scores are a way of standardizing scale
scores from scales withdifferent number of items, different
variance, and different distribution.Thus, T scores are
characterized by a mean of 50 points and a standarddeviation of 10
points. T-scores are computed based on the Romaniannational-wide
normative sample of N=1200 subjects (600 males and 600females).
Please also note that the STAXI-2 profile section contains two
pages, onebased in both scoring and graphic representation on the
combined normsand one based on the specific norms, requested at the
scoring of thedata. Specific (i.e. gender-specific, age-specific or
even clinical), ormore general scores, can be important, depending
on how the report isbeing used.
The detailed report offers a drilldown of the characteristics
ascertainedthrough the STAXI-2 and already pictured in the charts
in the STAXI-2profile section. The charts in this section and the
subsequent commentsare based on the combined norms.
This section has been developed in such a way as to offer
assistance tothe psychologist who is interpreting the results, as
to minimize his/herneed of reverting to the test manual.
This section may also be read by the evaluated person as part of
astructured discussion or development program he/she is part
of.However, considering the conclusions of this report should only
be doneafter discussing them with a specialized professional.
This section contains for every one of the STAXI-2 scales one
chart,capturing both the raw scores (above) and the T scores
(below), with aspecial marker where the evaluated person’s score
has been computed.Also, below every chart one may read a
description of typical behaviorsfor low and high scorers on the
respective scale, some typical adjectivaldescriptions for these low
and high scorers, as well as some suggestionsfor personal
development which are adapted to the score of theevaluated person
on the respective scale.
CONTENT
PROFILE
T SCORES
DRILLDOWN
MEANING
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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STAXI-2 PROFILEScoring based on: THE ROMANIAN MALE NORMS FOR
PSICHIATRIC PACIENTS (N=33ss)
STRUCTURAL SCALES PROFILE. (Standardized T scores)
0 0
5 5
10 10
15 15
20 20
25 25
30 30
35 35
40 40
45 45
50 50
55 55
60 60
65 65
70 70
75 75
80 80
85 85
90 90
95 95
100 100
5
10
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60
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5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
S-Ang
S-Ang
S-Ang/F
S-Ang/F
S-Ang/V
S-Ang/V
S-Ang/P
S-Ang/P
T-Ang
T-Ang
T-Ang/T
T-Ang/T
T-Ang/R
T-Ang/R
AX-O
AX-O
AX-I
AX-I
AC-O
AC-O
AC-I
AC-I
AX Index
AX Index
34 10 11 13 23 10 7 14 16 22 22 34Raw score Raw score
58 55 55 64 56 60 46 45 49 49 52 47T score T score
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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STAXI-2 PROFILEScoring based on: THE STANDARD ROMANIAN COMBINED
NORMS, NORMAL ADULTS (N=1200ss)
STRUCTURAL SCALES PROFILE. (Standardized T scores)
0 0
5 5
10 10
15 15
20 20
25 25
30 30
35 35
40 40
45 45
50 50
55 55
60 60
65 65
70 70
75 75
80 80
85 85
90 90
95 95
100 100
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
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10
15
20
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15
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10
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40
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35
40
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55
60
65
70
75
80
85
S-Ang
S-Ang
S-Ang/F
S-Ang/F
S-Ang/V
S-Ang/V
S-Ang/P
S-Ang/P
T-Ang
T-Ang
T-Ang/T
T-Ang/T
T-Ang/R
T-Ang/R
AX-O
AX-O
AX-I
AX-I
AC-O
AC-O
AC-I
AC-I
AX Index
AX Index
34 10 11 13 23 10 7 14 16 22 22 34Raw score Raw score
81 61 72 100 59 61 43 48 50 48 49 50T score T score
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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DETAILED REPORT* This detailed report is based on the COMBINED
norms. ** For usage of this detailed report, please consider the
description contained in the introductory text to thisfile.
SECTION 1. STATE ANGERState Anger refers to the intensity of the
individual’s angry feelings either at (a) the timeof testing, or
(b) a time and situation specified by the test administrator (i.e.,
imaginedanger provoking, anger management, or desensitization
situations). The intensity of S-Angmay vary a great deal depending
on the situation.
The S-Ang scale has 3 subscales: Feeling Angry (S-Ang/F), Feel
Like Expressing AngerVerbally (S-Ang/V), and Feel Like Expressing
Anger Physically (S-Ang/P). Even though therespondent may have a
total S-Ang score in the low to moderate range, it is possible
thathe/she might have a high score on one or the other of the S-Ang
subscales. Furthermore, asthe open expression of intense angry
feelings is evidently undesirable from a social point ofview, so
that most people have the tendency to report low scores on this
scale.
In interpreting S-Ang scores, it is important to note that the
S-Ang scale and subscales havesubstantial floor effects,
particularly for normal adults, thus the cut-off points
fordetermining high and very high scores are somewhat higher than
for the other STAXI-2scales and subscales.
Since most people usually report low levels of anger intensity
at any point in time,individuals with high or very high scores on
the S-Ang scale or subscales should be evaluatedcarefully to
determine whether the risk of acting out their anger represents a
potentialdanger to themselves or others.
Adolescents, young adults, and patients in institutions often
report more intense levels ofanger than normal adults; high scores
for members of these groups should be treated veryseriously.
Several of the STAXI-2 scales have been linked to health
problems, particularly coronaryheart disease (CHD), including
hypertension, blood pressure problems, and
cardiovascularreactivity. The scores of the S-Ang scale have been
proven to be closely related to somesuch indicators, most
especially with hypertension.
High scores on S-Ang carry, however, some other implications
than prediction of coronaryheart disease. For example, it should be
noted that males with addiction problems alsoshow higher S-Ang
scores than males without addiction problems. For both males
andfemales, higher preoperative S-Ang scores have been associated
with poorer postoperativeoutcome, and higher S-Ang scores before
exercise are related to higher systolic bloodpressure (SBP) after
exercise.
If any of these factors are relevant to this individual, a
referral for cognitively based angermanagement training needs to be
seriously considered before surgery or extensive exercise.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'S-Ang' scale(State Anger)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Raw score Raw score
T score T score
S-Ang State Anger Raw score: 34T score: 81.42
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The State Anger scale (S-Ang) measures the intensity of angry
feelings and the extent towhich a person feels like expressing
anger at a particular time.
Persons with low scores on S-Ang do notmanifest angry feelings
at the moment of
testing (or at the specific moment or in thespecific situation
indicated by the test
administrator). They are controlled,balanced and calm. Low
scores on S-Ang aredesirable, as they denote calmness, at least
as a momentary state.
People with high S-Ang scores experiencemoderate to intense
anger which may bemanifested as a desire to scream or breakthings.
Mild to moderate activation of thesympathetic nervous system with
increasedheart rate and blood pressure are possible.If she
continues to experience intenseanger, professional help may be
needed toreduce the anger. It is possible for highS-Ang scores to
reflect a momentary ratherthan a chronic state of being.
Low S-Ang scores are desirable, no actionsteps may be
suggested.
It may be necessary for the evaluatedperson to carefully analyze
the event thattriggered the anger state and to try toevaluate
his/her own feelings regardingthat fact. Unresolved problems
usually tendto reactivate, possibly pointing toinadequately
integrated internal conflicts.The causes of anger and rage should
beidentified and the underlying problemsresolved, in order to
prevent resurfacing.Professional help from a trainedpsychologist or
counselor may be indicated.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'S-Ang/F' subscale(Feeling Angry)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20Raw score Raw score
T score T score
S-Ang/F Feeling Angry Raw score: 10T score: 61.34
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Feeling Angry subscale (S-Ang/F) measures the intensity of
the angry feelings theperson is currently experiencing.
The evaluated person did not haveexperience anger, rage or
irritation at the
moment of testing.
The evaluated person has experienced atthe moment of testing an
intense state ofanger, as effect of an anterior event or aspart of
the evaluation. A high score on theS-Ang/F scale cannot, however,
sayanything about the person’s preferencesregarding the expression
or control ofanger. It is thus necessary that scores onthis scale
be correlated with the specificsituation and with scores on the
otherscales.
Low S-Ang/F scores are desirable, no actionsteps may be
suggested.
It is imperative for the evaluated person tofirst calm down, to
pass beyond themomentary feelings of anger or irritationand then to
reason in a detached mannerupon the situation that has generated
thesefeelings. If the anger states surface often orhave a high
intensity, time and energyshould be devoted for the development
ofindividual anger control mechanisms.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'S-Ang/V' subscale(Feel Like Expressing Anger Verbally)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15Raw score Raw score
T score T score
S-Ang/V Feel Like Expressing Anger Verbally Raw score: 11T
score: 72.22
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Feel Like Expressing Anger Verbally subscale (S-Ang/V)
measures the intensity of currentfeelings related to the verbal
expression of anger.
Low S-Ang/V scores denote that theevaluated person did not feel
during the
testing the need the express anger orirritation verbally.
High S-Ang/V scores show that theevaluated person has felt
during the testingthe impulse to express his/her feelings ofanger
or irritation in a verbal manner. Asresearch has shown, the impulse
to expressanger through verbal behaviors likescreaming,
voice-raising or even onlythrough caustic or evil remarks is
especiallyfor women an important component of theindividual anger
expression pattern. Theprobability for these impulses to manifest
isreflected mainly by the scores at the angerexpression and anger
control scales.
Low S-Ang/V scores are desirable, no actionsteps may be
suggested.
If these feelings and impulses persist,professional counseling
intervention isrecommended. The relative transitivity ofthis state
(and its relative seriousness) isindicated also by the evaluated
person’sscores at the T-Ang scale.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'S-Ang/P' subscale(Feel Like Expressing Anger
Physically)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10Raw score Raw score
T score T score
S-Ang/P Feel Like Expressing Anger Physically Raw score: 13T
score: 100.00
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Feel Like Expressing Anger Physically (S-Ang/P) measures the
intensity of currentfeelings related to the physical expression of
anger.
Low S-Ang/P scores show a highimprobability for the evaluated
person
trying to express anger in a physicalmanner, towards other
people or against
objects.
High values on this scale describe anoutspoken the need for the
evaluatedperson to hit somebody or something, or tobreak things.
Interpretation of this scaleshould consider the very skewed nature
ofscore distribution. This brings with it largemodifications in the
meaning for only smallincrements of scores, such that smallchanges
in scores yield very differentinterpretations. Anyway, high scores
shouldbe correlated with the person’s preferencesfor expression and
control of anger.
Low S-Ang/P scores are desirable, no actionsteps may be
suggested.
Physical, destructive, hostile aggression,derived from anger, is
most of the time alearned behavior. This behavior is adoptedthrough
imitation, but is also maintainedbecause of its (apparent) adaptive
value.Physical expression of anger may beconceptualized as a
deficit in interpersonalskills, which could be resolved if
theevaluated person is able to learn someother ways of expressing
anger than theverbal or physical ones, maybe in areas likeconflict
resolution, problem solving, humor,self-control, empathy,
compassion,tolerance.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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SECTION 2. TRAIT ANGERTrait anger measures the general tendency
of a person to get angry. The T-Ang scalemeasures thus a
personality disposition, a fundamental dimension of the evaluated
person’spersonality to get angry and to express his/her feelings
more or less easily.
The subscales of the T-Ang scale evaluate if a certain person
has in general a nervoustemperament (T-Ang/T), or if the person has
rather the tendency to react in the form ofanger when he/she has
the subjective feeling of being treated unfairly, or if
confrontedwith critiques from others (T-Ang/R). The T-Ang/T
subscale measures anger that isexperienced quickly and with little
provocation. Angry temperament refers to apredisposition to
experience anger and has little to do with situational factors. On
theother hand, the T-Ang/R subscale measures the reactive part of
anger.
Persons with high scores on the T-Ang scale and its subscales
are usually quick to anger,especially when their actions are not
appreciated or are even publicly criticized. Traitanger is one of
the central variables of the STAXI-2 and is a critical variable
forunderstanding the way in which the evaluated person manifests
anger, especiallyconcerning the frequency of angry feelings, across
a wide range of situations.
High scorers have a more explosive temperament and get more
easily to strong anger andrage. They do not try to block or to
control the expression of anger and of course they havea higher
probability to get angry in a certain situation than the average
person. All theT-Ang scores, but especially the higher ones, should
be taken into consideration onlycorrelated with scores on the AX-
and AX-I scales, as well as of the AX-Index.
From between the STAXI-2 scales and subscale associated with
health issues, especially withcoronary heart disease, we may also
mention the T-Ang scale and it s subscale T-Ang/R.
High T-Ang scores are associated with a significantly heightened
risk for the development ofcoronary heart disease, especially
increased blood pressure and hypertension, but also moreserious
disease might develop as a result of being chronically angry.
High scores on the T-Ang/R subscale are associated with
elevations in either diastolic bloodpressure (DBP) or systolic
blood pressure (SBP) as a function of high anger reactivity.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'T-Ang' scale(Trait Anger)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Raw score Raw score
T score T score
T-Ang Trait Anger Raw score: 23T score: 58.82
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Trait Anger scale (T-Ang) measures how often angry feelings
are expressed over time.
Low scorers on this scale rarely experienceanger and the
intensity of their angry
feelings is lower than that of the averageperson, thus feeling
more in the area of
agitation, annoyance or irritation, and notanger or rage. Most
often, low scores on
T-Ang are correlated with a highertolerance against
provocations. States ofanger are not only less intense, but
also
take less, as these persons calm down easilyand rapidly. Low
scorers for T-Ang
experience very often their anger states asbeing
uncomfortable.
High scorers on this scale tend to get angrymore frequently as
the average person.Also, for these persons, both the frequencyand
intensity of angry behaviors is higherthan normal, they are often
exhibited asrage and explosions. Most often, high scoreson this
scale are associated with a longerduration of the angry state and
with thehabit to react easily even to minorprovocations. An
interesting characteristicof these persons is the fact that
theyexperience their angry feelings and theirexhibition as being
psychologicallycomfortable or at least acceptable.
Low T-Ang scores are in principle desirable.However, very low
scores could not only
show a person without the tendency ofexperiencing anger, but
could also signal anavoidant person, possibly characterized by
passive aggression, a person without thepower to represent
his/her own ideasbefore others and to be assertive and
militant when needed.
High scores on this scale are very oftenassociated with
aggressiveness adn hostility.Not all aggressive behaviors are
destructive,but for high scorers on the T-Ang scale it isvery
important not only to try to control thefrequency, intensity,
duration and limitswhere a stimulus induces an angry reaction,but
also to pay attention to the intentionsand nature of the behaviors
induces by thestate of anger, because destructive andhostile
aggression is most often associatedwith the need and want of
hurting others oroneself, physically or verbally.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'T-Ang/T' subscale(Angry Temperament)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15Raw score Raw score
T score T score
T-Ang/T Angry Temperament Raw score: 10T score: 60.56
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Angry Temperament subscale (T-Ang/T) measures the
disposition to experience angerwithout specific provocation.
Low scorers on this scale appear to othersas controlled and
balanced individuals. They
rarely get angry and it takes strong stimulior major
frustrations in order to induce
angry reactions. This of course is also thereason why these
people have a much lower
frequency than the average person in theexhibition of anger. The
lack of an angry
temperament, i.e. the tendency to manifestanger, makes these
person generally
emotionally stable and describes them aslacking neuroticism.
Most of the times they
feel angry, they are uncomfortable with thesituation.
High scorers on this scale easily get angry,even in the face of
minor provocations.Aggressive temperament refers to thetendency to
manifest angry states in theconditions when situational stimuli
orfactors would not justify such a reaction orwould at the least
not justify the intensityof that reaction. Persons with an
angrytemperament have thus a relatively lowlevel of tolerance at
frustrations from theenvironment. They get angry more often,more
easily and the intensity of thereaction is also stronger as
justified; it alsopersists more than it is the case for theaverage
person.
Low T-Ang/T scores are in principledesirable and do not signal
potential
problems.
Angry temperament is a personality traitwhich, at high scores
has the potential toseriously damage interpersonal relationsand to
lower the quality of personal andwork life. Very high scores on
this scaleindicate the need to contact a specialist orcounselor in
anger management. Highscores are a concern especially when
theresulting anger and aggression aredestructive, hostile, targeted
at hurtingothers deliberately, at fights and verbally ofphysically
confrontative encounters ortowards a cruel or excessively
militantbehavior.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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The 'T-Ang/R' subscale(Angry Reaction)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15Raw score Raw score
T score T score
T-Ang/R Angry Reaction Raw score: 7T score: 43.03
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Angry Reaction subscale (T-Ang/R) measures the frequency
with which angry feelingsare experienced in situations that involve
frustration and/or negative evaluations.
Low scorers on this scale do not have thetendency of getting
angry, not even when
they receive negative feedback, when theyare criticized by those
around or when they
perceive the treatment they receive asbeing unfair. These
persons have very
robust coping mechanisms with potentiallyfrustrating situations,
mechanisms which
manage the negative emotional potential ofthese situations in
other ways than by
anger.
High scorers at the T-Ang/R scale have thetendency to get angry
and agitated whencriticized, when they receive negativefeedback or
when they perceive thetreatment they get as being unfair. Theangry
reaction is possible to be manifestedno matter if the received
critics, theanalyzed events or the subjectiveperceptions are real,
are intentional or areonly imagined. When high scores at thisscale
are associated with a strong control ofexternal expression of
anger, they generateserious difficulties in coping with
critics,because such persons tend to becomeanxious and guilty and
if the situationcausing the anger persists, they maybecome
depressed because of massiveinternal conflicts.
Low scores in this scale are in principledesirable and do not
suggest visible
problems. Very low scores may be theexpression of insufficient
assertiveness, of
the refuse to protect and to stand by one’sown ideas.
Very high scores on this scale mandate atspecialized
psychological intervention,which could concentrate on
thehypersensitivity these persons have towardsthose around and
towards the way they arelooked upon by other people. Especiallywhen
high scores at the T-Ang/R scale arecoupled with high scores for
T-Ang/T andAX-O, the potential for toxic emotionalitybecomes very
high.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
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SECTION 3. ANGER CONTROL AND ANGER EXPRESSIONNeither the
measurement of the tendency to experience anger (T-Ang), nor
themeasurement of the intensity anger is experienced at a specific
moment (S-Ang) aresufficient to completely describe the
phenomenology of anger-related psychologicaloccurrences. The two
big dimensions do not completely evaluate the frequency
andintensity of angry feelings, but they especially do not
concentrate upon their ways ofmanifestation or upon the control
instances that could be used by a person in order toinhibit,
refrain from or manage the expression of anger.
The STAXI-2 includes therefore four supplementary scales, two of
them focusing on angerexpression and the other two focusing on
anger control. Of added value we mention theglobal evaluator
AX-Index, which is a general Anger Expression Index.
The concepts of anger expression and anger control are defined
as having four majorcomponents: (1) the first component, the
external expression of anger (AngerExpression-Out), discussed the
expression of anger towards other people or towards objectsin the
person’s environment, (2) the second component, the internal
expression of anger(Anger Expression-In), consists of anger
directed towards one’s own self, for example asretention or
suppression of angry feelings or as feelings of victimization, (3)
the thirdcomponent, the external control of anger (Anger
Control-Out), focuses on anger controlthrough the prevention of
anger expression towards other people or towards objects in
theperson’s environment and, finally, (4) the fourth component, the
internal control of anger(Anger Control-In), refers to anger
control through suppression, through the inducement ofcalm and
relaxation at the moment of apparition of angry feelings.
Several of the STAXI-2 scales have been linked to health
problems, particularly coronaryheart disease (CHD), including
hypertension, blood pressure problems, and
cardiovascularreactivity. From the four anger expression and anger
control scales, the scales AX-I, AX-Oand AC-O have been especially
well empirically documented in this regard.
AX-I is the single best predictor of blood pressure among the
STAXI-2 scales and tends to bemost closely associated with
hypertension. There are suggestions of relationships to otherCHD
variables as well. High scores on AX-O are closely related to
hypertension, butespecially when combined with high scores on Trait
Anger (T-Ang) they are associated withmyocardic infarct. Anger
Control-Out has been shown to be positively correlated withsystolic
blood pressure (SBP) and distinguishes male CHD patients from
controls.
-
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
15
The 'AX-O' scale(Anger Expression-Out)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20 25 30Raw score Raw score
T score T score
AX-O Anger Expression-Out Raw score: 14T score: 48.19
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Anger Expression-Out scale (AX-O) measures how often angry
feelings are expressed inverbally or physically aggressive
behavior; the scale basically evaluates the degree to whicha anger
as an emotional experience is expressed in an outwardly oriented
and badlycontrolled manner.
Low scorers at this scale do not have astrong tendency to
express their angry
feelings. Their aggression is, because ofthis, less manifest and
they are usually
perceived as being controlled. The scores ofthis scale do not
have implications for the
feeling of anger, but only for it external anduncontrolled
expression, such that low
scores could also mean an internalization ofangry feelings or a
creative usage of theenergetic potential developed by these
emotions.
High scorers on the AX-O scale easilyexpress anger towards their
externalenvironment and most of the time they lackcontrol regarding
the manifestation ofanger. This lack of control could mean thatthey
exhibit actions that are aggressive orhostile from a physical (i.e.
physical attackupon other persons, obscene gestures,destruction of
certain objects) or verbal(i.e. insults, cursing, raised voice)
point ofview. Other persons or objects couldbecome the target of
these hostile oraggressive behaviors when they areperceived as
being related in any way tothe source of the frustrating stimulus,
oreven if they only are on the proximity ofthe angry person when
the expression ofanger occurs.
Very low scores on this scale could signal aunderreactive
behavior towards others, itcould also describe persons who
suppress,
repress or deny their angry feelings becausethey are
uncomfortable. This could of
course be a signal for an insufficientemotional adaptation and
these persons
might be referred for therapy to help themget in touch with
their feelings and to
improve emotional adaptation. Very lowscores could also signal
possible distortions
of answers to the items of thequestionnaire.
High scores on this scale signal possibleproblems from a
behavioral andinterpersonal relations point of view. Ifextremely
high, they should be addressed ina therapeutic relation. The
externalexpression of anger may be controlled insuch a way that
angry feelings get to beexpressed in creative manners.
Angermanagement counseling usually targetspersons in this category.
Psychologicalinterventions and personal developmentshould be
targeted not at the repression orsuppression of anger, but at the
acceptanceof those feelings and at the development ofskills for the
desirable expression of anger.
-
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
16
The 'AX-I' scale(Anger Expression-In)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20 25 30Raw score Raw score
T score T score
AX-I Anger Expression-In Raw score: 16T score: 49.60
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Anger Expression-In scale (AX-I) measures how often angry
feelings are experienced butnot expressed (suppressed).
Low scorers on the AX-I scale usuallyexpress their anger
externally and do not
try to suppress it, to internalize or to targetit against the
own person.
High scorers on this scale have the habit ofrefraining from the
free external expressionof angry feelings; they inhibit
behaviorsassociated with angers. In some situations,when the free
manifestation of anger isunpleasant and generates
psychologicaldiscomfort, angry feelings are suppressedand replaced
by guilt, thus they tend togenerate anxiety and depression.
Highscorers on this scale have thus the tendencyof blaming
themselves for all the problemsassociated with the situation that
was thebasis for their own angry feelings.
Low scores on this scale are considered ingeneral to be
positive, because personscharacterized by a low intensity of
this
scale usually express their anger freely andsubsequently may
resolve their tensions
consciously, in the optimal way.
It is ideal for persons with high AX-I scoresto concentrate upon
the expression and notthe suppression of anger. Free and
openexpression of anger makes it possible toaddress it consciously,
thus resolving theemotional conflicts and internal
problemsassociated with the respective angryreaction. The AX-I
scale, as a measure ofthe internalization of angry feelings, is
thesingle best predictor of blood pressureamong the STAXI-2 scales
and tends to bemost closely associated with hypertension.This is
why behavioral patterns associatedwith a high score on this scale
have apotential for major negative impact uponone’s health.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
17
The 'AC-O' scale(Anger Control-Out)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
5 10 15 20 25 30Raw score Raw score
T score T score
AC-O Anger Control-Out Raw score: 22T score: 48.22
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Anger Control-Out scale (AC-O) measures how often a person
controls the outwardexpression of angry feelings; thus it evaluates
the degree to which internal energies are usedto monitor and
control expressions of anger and rage, both verbal and
physical.
Low scorers on this scale have the tendencyto control in an
extreme manner all theirangry expressions. Moderately low
scores
are in principle desirable, but very lowscores, especially when
associated with an
angry temperament (high scores on theT-Ang/T subscale) and with
the tendency ofexternal expression of anger (high scores at
the AX-O scale), predict an unpleasantvolatile potential, which
would request for
a specialized counseling intervention.
Persons with high AC-O scores tend toexpend a lot of energy to
monitor andcontrol their physical or verbal expressionsof anger,
they tend to work very hardpsychologically in monitoring themselves
toprevent any explosive manifestations oftheir anger. People who
score in this rangemay not be in touch with their emotions,and may
have trouble with awareness ofother feelings. This behavioral
pattern doesnot exclude feelings of anger, but statesonly
overcontrol of its expression and theassociated problems reside in
the fact thatthese persons are not able to understandthe need to
address a resolve the situationthat has generated their anger in
the firstplace.
Persons with low and very low scores on thisscale have
insufficient clear control
instances. Of course, the overcontrolpattern stated by the very
high scores on
this scale is not desirable at all, butrecognition and conscious
control of angry
tendencies is desirable and maydramatically increase the quality
of
interpersonal relations of the evaluatedperson. The personal
development of
individuals with low scores on this scaleshould be targeted
towards the recognitionof the fact that anger is a behavioral
option
which, with patience and insistence, maybe warded off.
Persons with high scores on this scale reportin questionnaires
and interviews that theyalmost always control their
outwardexpressions of anger. This situation isassociated with
overcontrol and with thefact that these persons do not
feelcomfortable with their own emotions which,by their simple
presence, generatecognitive discomfort. Psychologicalinterventions
in this area are coupled withthe generation of cognitive mechanisms
forthe conscious recognition of one’s ownemotions and for
addressing themconsciously.
-
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
18
The 'AC-I' scale(Anger Control-In)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20 25 30Raw score Raw score
T score T score
AC-I Anger Control-In Raw score: 22T score: 48.89
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Anger Control-In scale (AC-I) measures how often a person
attempts to control angryfeelings by calming down or cooling off,
how often a person attempts to relax and to reduceangry feelings
before they escape control.
Persons with low scores at this scale do nothave conscious
access to anger management
techniques. The management of angryfeelings and tendencies is
thus made bythem unconsciously and intuitively. The
efficiency of such a management is most ofthe time low,
especially for very low scorerswe may not even encounter the
intention of
managing anger.
When confronted with angry feelings, highscorers on this scale
try to solve them mostof the time by consciously or
intuitivelyaccessing relaxation methods: deepbreathing, thinking on
pleasant things, etc.When angry or furious these persons oftentry
to keep calm, relaxed, and cool and tobe patient, tolerant, and
understanding ofothers. Most of the times, very high scoreson this
scale are associated with theconscious usage of anger
managementtechniques; when this is the case efficiencyof control
upon toxic expressions of angerincreases considerably.
Low scores on this scale raise problems, asthey demonstrate
either the lack of
intention to control anger expression or thelack of efficient
mechanisms of doing so.
Very low scores, when associated also withhigh scores on the
T-Ang scale and with high
scores on the AX-O scale, point to possibleproblems of frequent,
uncontrolled and
potentially explosive anger expression andrequest specialized
psychological
intervention, targeted towards theconscious recognition of angry
feelings and
the development of psychologicalmechanisms and instruments for
effectively
dealing with those feelings.
High scores on this scale are in principledesirable. Because the
AC-I scale is new tothe STAXI-2, its interpretation relies moreon a
rational analysis of the significance ofits items and is thus
somehow limited.
-
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
19
The 'AX Index' scale(Anger Expression Index)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
100
1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85Raw score Raw
score
T score T score
AX Index Anger Expression Index Raw score: 34T score: 50.43
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCALE
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTION
SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Low scores High scores
Low scores High scores
The Anger Expression Index scale (AX-Index) provides a general
index of anger expressionbased on responses to the AX-I, AX-O, AC-I
and AC-O items. If any one of these four scales ininvalid, the
AX-Index is impossible to compute.
Low scorers on the AX-Index have only aweak tendency to openly
express anger.
They are either very controlled individuals,or even, at very low
scores, overcontrolled,
or they could be operating intuitively orconsciously with
techniques for the control
of psychological feelings associated withanger.
High scorers on the AX-Index have the cleartendency of easily
expressing the angerthey feel at certain moments. They expressthese
feelings either in their exteriorenvironment towards other persons
orobjects or internally, towards their ownself. They rather lack
control of angerexpression and also they rather lack
copingmechanisms related to the situations thathave generated anger
in the first place.
Low scores in this scale are in principledesirable and do not
suggest visible
problems. Very low scores should beconsidered correlated with
the structure of
the four scales which compose theAX-Index.
High scores on this scale are a globalindicator and should be
considered only incorroboration with the specific scores of thefour
scales regarding anger expression andcontrol. Very high scores are
in anysituation reason for concern and call forspecialized
psychological intervention, butthe specific target for this
counselingintervention should be reasoned out only asa function of
the specific structure of theAX-I, AX-O, AC-I and AC-O scales.
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State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory TM Spielberger, 1988
20
ANSWERS TO THE ITEMS(1): '1'(2): '2'(3): '3'(4): '4'(5): '1'
(6): '2'(7): '3'(8): '4'(9): '1'(10): '2'
(11): '1'(12): '2'(13): '3'(14): '4'(15): '1'
(16): '2'(17): '3'(18): '4'(19): '1'(20): '2'
(21): '1'(22): '2'(23): '3'(24): '4'(25): '1'
(26): '2'(27): '3'(28): '4'(29): '1'(30): '2'
(31): '1'(32): '2'(33): '3'(34): '4'(35): '1'
(36): '2'(37): '3'(38): '4'(39): '1'(40): '2'
(41): '1'(42): '2'(43): '3'(44): '4'(45): '1'
(46): '2'(47): '3'(48): '4'(49): '1'(50): '2'
(51): '1'(52): '2'(53): '3'(54): '4'(55): '1'
(56): '2'(57): '3'
GENERAL STATISTICS (MODUS OPERANDI)# of '4' answers: 11 din 57
(19.30%)
# of '3' answers: 12 din 57 (21.05%)
# of '2' answers: 17 din 57 (29.82%)
# of '1' answers: 17 din 57 (29.82%)
# missing answers: 0 din 57 (0.00%)
RAW SCORESScale
Raw score
Missing answers
S-Ang S-Ang/F S-Ang/V S-Ang/P T-Ang T-Ang/T T-Ang/R AX-O AX-I
AC-O AC-I AX Index
34
0
10
0
11
0
13
0
23
0
10
0
7
0
14
0
16
0
22
0
22
0
34
0
-
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