Dimensions of Anger Reactions-Revised (DAR-R): Validation of a brief anger measure in Australia and Spain

A validated, brief measure of anger is needed in clinical settings to screen for problematic anger. This study examined the validity of the seven-item Dimensions of Anger Reactions-Revised (DAR-R), including a version for the Spanish population.

Multiple psychometric instruments administered to 541 (76.6% female) adults in Australia and 1,115 (56.3% female) in Spain were analyzed.

A two-factor model (anger response and anger impairment) was confirmed. Concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity were supported. Anger response items strongly correlated with established measures of anger/aggression State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Aggression Questionnaire), whereas anger impairment items strongly correlated with anxiety Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and depression Patient Health Questionnaire-9 measures. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability (3 months) were good. Cut-off scores for problematic anger were established. There were no gender differences in anger in the Spanish sample, but Australian males had higher anger scores than females.

Results substantiate the utility of the DAR-R as a concise, clinically informative measure of anger.