Date of Submission
2005
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Psychology
Department Chair
Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP
First Advisor
Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP, Chairperson
Second Advisor
Lance Couturier, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Christopher Royer, Psy.D.
Abstract
The present study proposed to advance the treatment and assessment of anger disorders by exploring the properties of the Mahan and DiTomasso Anger Scale (MAD-AS). Previous research of the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the MAD-AS was conducted with inpatient (Mahan, 2001) and outpatient participants (Beardmore, 2003) . In the present study a psychometric investigation was undertaken utilizing 300 male incarcerated offenders. The MAD-AS correlated positively with the presence of antisocial and borderline personality disorders and with violent offenses. Those inmates with a history of violent offenses scored significantly higher than those convicted of nonviolent offenses on the MAD-AS. The MAD-AS possessed sound psychometric properties in terms of reliability and validity. Results indicated the MAD-AS reflects the multidimensional quality of anger including its cognitive, physiological, and behavioral components. In clinical forensic work the MAD-AS may assist in identifying dynamic criminogenic needs, selecting interventions to address those needs, monitoring treatment outcomes, and assessing risk factors for recidivism.
Recommended Citation
Marsh, Jr., Robert John, "Exploratory Study of Anger and Behavior in an Incarcerated Offender Population Utilizing the Mahan and DiTomasso Anger Scale" (2005). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. 97.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations/97