Development and validation of the Forms and Functions of Aggressive Behavior Scale.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Science
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Aggression is a significant global social issue requiring advanced measurement tools.
• Existing assessments may not fully capture the complex, multidimensional nature of aggressive behaviors.
• There is a need for updated measures that reflect the current understanding of aggression's various forms and functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new scale, the Forms and Functions of Aggressive Behavior Scale (FFABS).
• To capture the multidimensional nature of aggression, including its forms (physical, verbal, relational) and functions (proactive, reactive).
• To provide a reliable and valid instrument for aggression research.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Forms and Functions of Aggressive Behavior Scale (FFABS).
• Validation across three studies with a total of 1388 participants (N=1388).
• Factor structure validation, measurement invariance testing (males vs. females), and convergent/discriminant validity assessments.

Main Results:

• The FFABS demonstrated a validated factor structure aligning with the multidimensional model of aggression.
• Partial scalar measurement invariance was achieved between males and females.
• The scale showed consistent convergent and discriminant validity with related constructs and behavioral measures.

Conclusions:

• The FFABS is a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring the multifaceted nature of aggression.
• The scale's validation supports its use in research and clinical settings for a nuanced understanding of aggression.
• Findings have practical implications for intervention and future research on aggression prevention.