Anger expression in Swiss adolescents: Establishing measurement invariance across gender in the AX scales

The present study examined measurement invariance in the three anger expression subscales of the STAXI (Spielberger, 1988) with respect to gender. In a sample of 576 male and 531 female students, strict measurement invariance was found. For all three anger expression factors, no differences in variances or factor correlations were found. A large negative relation between Anger-Out and Anger-Control emerged. Girls reported significantly lower levels in Anger-Out and Anger-Control than boys. Results suggest that the questionnaire functions the same way across gender. Also, boys and girls exhibited the same range of interindividual differences in anger expression. The negative relation between Anger-Out and Anger-Control suggests that high levels of Anger-Out might be an obstacle in controlling anger. Lower levels of Anger-Out and -Control in girls suggest that girls might need less control because they express anger less outwardly.