Anger Disorders Scale (ADS)

Key Features Include:

• Assesses anger as an independent problem, rather than as a secondary symptom of another issue.
• Uses an Anger-In/Anger-Out model—which not only examines the physical aggression resulting from anger, but also the cognitions associated with anger that may be a part of affective aggression.
• Items on the Anger Disorder Scale (ADS) were initially based on criteria being developed for an anger disorder that may be added to future versions of the DSM.
• Helps clinicians assess both the internal experiences and expressive patterns of their clients’ anger.
• Provides a strong basis for developing appropriate treatment plans.

Areas Measured:

The multidimensional structure represents 18 sub-scales distributed across five domains of emotions:

• Provocations Domain: Scope of Anger Provocations, Hurt/Social Rejection
• Arousal Domain: Physiological Arousal, Duration of anger, Episode Length
• Cognitions Domain: Rumination, Resentment, Suspiciousness
• Motives Domain: Revenge, Coercion, Tension Reduction
• Behaviours Domain: Brooding, Verbal Expression, Physical Aggression, Passive Aggression, Relational Aggression, Indirect Aggression.

The scale provides a total score and scores for three higher-order factors:

• Anger-in, Reactivity /Expression and Vengeance.