Assesses intensity of anger, and differentiates between instrumental and reactive anger.
DeAnna McKinnie Burney, Ph. D.

• Age Range: 11-19 years
• Time: 5-10 minutes, individual; 10-20 minutes, group

Requiring only a fourth-grade reading level, the AARS is a psychometrically-sound, 41-item instrument assessing the intensity and frequency of anger expression. It identifies adolescents who are at-risk for Conduct Disorder (CD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Three AARS subscales measure aspects of the adolescent's typical anger response pattern:

1. Instrumental Anger
2. Reactive Anger
3. Anger Control

Adolscents indicate which behaviors they exhibit when angered, and how often each typically occurs, based upon a 4-point scale, ranging from, "Hardly Ever" to "Very Often". Scores are derived for each of these subscales, plus a Total Anger Score.

With this information, professionals will be able to help the adolescent manage anger. If necessary, the AARS will aid in the selection of an appropriate intervention program for the specific type(s) of anger experienced.

The AARS Kit includes a Manual and 50 Test Booklets.