Aggression Questionnaire [AQ-34]

Questionnaire Analysis

This study analyzes the factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the AQ in a sample of Spanish individuals with high levels of violence.

Objective

Purpose of the Questionnaire: The Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) is one of the most widely used and validated self-report tools for assessing aggression.

Item Scoring

The questionnaire consists of 34 items, which are rated across the following scales: Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Anger, and Hostility.

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “Not at all like me” to “Completely like me.” Respondents are asked to assess how well each item describes them.

Research Method

The questionnaire was administered to 767 men who had assaulted their partners and were undergoing psychological treatment.

Statistical Analysis

The AQ is a comprehensive revision of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, an earlier standard for assessing anger and aggression. It includes just 34 questions, scored across the following subscales:
Physical Aggression
Verbal Aggression
Anger
Hostility
Indirect Aggression

It also provides a Total Score and an Inconsistency Index. Norms are based on a sample of 2,138 individuals aged 9 to 88, with age norms presented in three groups: 9–18, 19–39, and 40–88. Additionally, norms for the Verbal and Physical Aggression scales are gender-specific.
Written at a third-grade reading level, AQ items describe various traits associated with aggression. Respondents rate each item on a 5-point scale from “Not at all like me” to “Completely like me.” Due to its brief and readable format, the scale can be used with almost anyone, including respondents who may struggle with more complex language assessments. The test can be hand-scored in just a few minutes or administered and scored using the AQ CD, which also provides a detailed interpretive report instantly.
While the full 34-item AQ is recommended for clinical use, a short form is available for research purposes or when a respondent fails to complete the full questionnaire. To use the short form, simply administer and score the first 15 items on the AQ AutoScore form. These 15 items include three from each of the AQ’s five subscales, so the short version provides not only a total score but also subscale scores, which correlate well with those from the full AQ.
In clinical settings, the five subscale scores of the AQ provide a level of detail that is especially helpful for treatment planning and outcome measurement. In correctional settings, the simplicity of the AQ makes it an excellent tool for documenting service needs and guiding rehabilitation efforts. In other institutional settings—such as schools, businesses, military facilities, and nursing or rehabilitation hospitals—it can be used both to identify needs and evaluate programs. Brief and cost-effective, the AQ is a practical choice for large-scale screening for aggression.