State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2)
Test Description
Test format
The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 [Spielberger, C.D. (1999). State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory -2. Odessa, Fl: Psychological Assessment Resource Inc.] is a revised and expanded version of the STAXI, developed by Spielberger in 1994. STAXI-2 is a 57-item inventory, which measures the intensity of anger as an emotional state (State Anger) and the disposition to experience angry feelings as a personality trait (Trait Anger).
The instrument consists of six scales, Trait Anger, Anger Expression-Out, Anger Expression-In, Anger Control-Out, Anger Control-In, and State Anger. The STAXI-2 also includes five subscales and an Anger Expression Index.
The STAXI-2 is scored by hand using a two part carbonless form. The booklet contains a scoring grid for recording raw scores, percentiles and T-scores, along with a profile for graphing percentile scores. The STAXI-2 is quick and quite simple to administer and to score: it can be administered in 5 to 10 minutes to individuals with at least a 6th grade reading level and scored in about 5 minutes (Freeman & Klecker, 2003).
Target population
Norms are available for adolescents (16 to 19 years) and adults, and psychiatric patients.
Obtaining STAXI-2 and permission to use it
The STAXI-2 is a level B instrument, it is available to those individuals who have completed an advanced level university course in psychological testing at the Master's level, as well as training under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
STAXI-2 is available from its publisher, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. (2003): 199.00 USD for STAXI-2 examination kit (including manual, 25 reusable item booklets, 50 carbonless rating sheets, and 50 profile forms)
One can get also get STAXI-2 test, Psychological Publications, Inc. (Psychological Publications, Inc., 2003): 232.00 USD for STAXI-2 kit (including manual, 25 item booklets, 50 profile forms and 50 rating sheets). The prices given by these two organizations, as you may see, are quite different.
Reliability information
The STAXI-2 manual presents correlations of the State Anger and Trait Anger scales with other personality scales. It also provides evidence supporting validity of the anger expression scales. Internal consistency reliability has a value of α ranging from .73 to .95 for the total scale and from .73 to .93 for the subscales. The manual provides no information on temporal stability (test-retest reliability). These additional reliability estimates could prove helpful in addressing such issues as the ephemeral experience of and the expression of anger (Freeman & Klecker, 2003).
Validity information
Construct-related validity is reported for the scales and subscales by the author. No information is reported on the concurrent validity of the STAXI-2, but there is plenty of evidence to support the validity of the STAXI. Spielberger gives data on concurrent validity of the STAXI by comparing it to several scales, as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (Hostility and Overt Hostility scales), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Psychoticism and Neuroticism). Spielberger also included the studies showing relationships between the STAXI scale and subscale scores and elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Most of the information on validity is dated with the studies relating to medical disorders; the expression and control of anger are the most recent out of them. (Freeman & Klecker, 2003).
A study using the test
Colella (2002) conducted a study aiming to determine if alcohol dependence had an effect on the amount of anger an individual reported and the ways an individual expresses his or her anger. Anger was measured in alcohol dependent individuals using one survey containing two separate tests, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and the Anger Disorder Scale.
20 participants, both male and female completed the anger survey upon admission to a treatment center (pre-detoxification) and upon discharge (post-detoxification). The data gave only one significant difference in Anger Control-Out (AC-O) (part of Anger Expression Styles Measures subscale, from STAXI-2), which showed that alcohol dependence may have an effect on how individuals control their expression of angry feelings. There were no significant differences detected on any of the other STAXI-2 scales.
It was concluded that there was little to no difference in the perception of the intensity of feelings, and the perceived verbal and physical expression of anger, following detoxification.
Colella, S.J. (2002). The Relationship Between Alcoholism and Anger.
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