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Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment

Gepubliceerd in:

01-09-2011

Adaptive and Aggressive Assertiveness Scales (AAA-S)

Auteurs: Renee J. Thompson, Howard Berenbaum

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment | Uitgave 3/2011

Abstract

Diminished assertiveness has been associated with neuroticism, depression, and anxiety. Although many assertiveness instruments have been developed for research and clinical purposes, one common shortcoming is a lack of discriminant validity with regard to aggression. Further, the wording of many instruments is outdated and discriminatory. The goal of the present research was to develop a more sensitive instrument measuring two distinguishable forms of assertiveness: adaptive assertiveness and aggressive assertiveness. We present data validating such a measure, the Adaptive and Aggressive Assertiveness Scales (AAA-S). Participants included two samples of college students and a clinical sample of adults with anxiety disorders. The AAA-S demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The aggressive assertiveness scale was associated with various forms of aggression and peer reports of aggressive assertiveness. The adaptive assertiveness scale was associated with competence and peer reports of adaptive assertiveness. Importantly, there were no gender differences in adaptive assertiveness. Clinical implications are discussed.

vorige artikel An examination of the Validity of the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment: Relations with Other Psychopathy Measures, Aggression, and Externalizing Behaviors

volgende artikel Emotional Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Elevated Depressive Symptoms

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The way assertiveness has been conceptualized may shed light on why many assertiveness instruments confound assertiveness and aggression. For example, assertiveness is seen as a part of agency (Bakan 1966), a set of personality traits including dominance, independence, leadership and control. Indeed, many conceptualize assertiveness as similar to dominance (e.g., Twenge 2001). Similarly, much of the early work on assertiveness was based, in part, on a model by Wolpe (1954), which did not distinguish between nonaggressive and aggressive expression.

We are defining interpersonal conflict rather broadly—as a situation involving someone else in which one person’s needs are being threatened or are not being met.

There are other ways of getting one’s needs met such as acting passive aggressively. However, we consider such responses unassertive because they get needs met in an indirect or passive way.

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Titel: Adaptive and Aggressive Assertiveness Scales (AAA-S)
Auteurs: Renee J. Thompson
Howard Berenbaum
Publicatiedatum: 01-09-2011
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment / Uitgave 3/2011
Print ISSN: 0882-2689
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3505
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-011-9226-9

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