Building Your Case for Final Decision on a TesT DISCUSSION

Anger Regulation and Expression Scale (ARES)

Student’s name: Linda Holmes

Date: November 26, 2017

Anger Regulation and Expression Scale (ARES)

ARES is an evaluation tool used to test anger expression and regulation among children and teenagers aged from 10 years to 17 years. It is a self-report appraisal that illustrates an understanding of behavioral and mental behaviors of anger and offers treatment and interventions based on the test outcomes (Buros Center for Testing, 2017). ARES is designed to evaluate internalized and externalized anger which includes the duration and range of anger experiences. It examines internalized anger such as bitterness and rejection and externalized anger such as aggression and bullying. In terms of extent of anger, it focuses on duration of anger and scope of triggers. It is easy to administer and report interpretation that can easily be understood. The test is considered reliable and valid in examining anger and regulating expression.

Test Items and Format

ARES is in two versions; full-length and short ARES versions that yield 25 score each. The full-length ARES version involves 75 questions that the test taker needs to fill when feeling angry (Hart, 2011). The short version involves 17 items that examine anger experiences. The test taker indicates his thoughts, feelings or actions when in an angry situation. The test taker will use different descriptor such as “always” or “never” to express feelings of anger (Cavlazoglu, Erdogan, & Paine, 2012).

The test items are classified into three; externalized, internalized, and extent of anger that are scaled accordingly. Under internalized anger, the test tool evaluates bitterness (due to suspicion or resentment), arousal (cognitive and psychological) and rejection. Under externalized anger, the assessment tool assesses aggression (overt and covert), bullying, and revenge. Lastly, under extent of anger, this tool examines the period anger lasts and what triggers the test taker to getting angry. The ARES takes approximately five minutes for the short version and 15 minutes for the full-length version. The items are scaled to explore on the different forms of aggression and inform appropriate interventions (Hart, 2011). The ARES generates two report; assessment and progress report. The assessment report provides the test takers detailed results alongside a detailed treatment plan while the progress report provides a description of the main features of change.

Some positive aspects of the test items and scores on the ARES tool include convenience of assessing the test and instant generated reports from anywhere and saving time by using online forms instead of ordering paper forms that takes more time compared to direct online purchase of the forms. Additionally, the test offers different forms and kits among others that make its results clear and comprehensive. One negative aspect of the ARES tool is its age limit 10 to 17 years a difficult stage in life to study.

In summary, ARES is an effective anger screening tool for children aged 10 to 17 years. It provides comprehensive and reliable reports that can be used in different settings such as correctional facilities, schools, and healthcare facilities. It is effective in identifying specific patterns of thinking and feelings as well as providing appropriate interventions. The full-length and short ARES provide meaningful information on anger. In fact, the full-length version provides an in-depth anger profile essential for correcting problematic anger reactions.

Fair and Appropriate Materials

The ARES tool uses descriptors such as “sometimes” or “always” or “never” that minimize the use of potentially offensive language (Cavlazoglu, Erdogan, & Paine, 2012). Such descriptors enable the test taker to express his anger without the use of language that may be offensive. Children aged 10 to 17 years can use vocabulary to express themselves. However, they may use words that may be offensive when reporting themselves or lack words to express themselves. Use of the above stated descriptors can help the test taker to express his anger with much ease and understanding.

As stated above, the test can be administered in two versions; short or full-length version that evaluate outward and inward anger expression (Yoshimasu, Barbaresi, & Voigt, 2012). Each version has a number of questions that help the test taker to express his anger and results generated accordingly. ARES requires the test taker to fill either the 17 items or 72 items as stated in the ARES form. Modifications or accommodations are difficult for this type of assessment tool. In fact, it is inappropriate for children with low linguistic and cognitive skills.

Use of Technology

ARES can be administered online in an online form or in paper-pencil format in a response form. ARES online is provided in form of an online web platform kit or software kit that costs US$ 251 and US$309 respectively. ARES administered online indicates that the test taker should have access to a network connection. Again, the online form requires software to be administered. The software will enable automatic scoring for the test and generation of a report based on the test taker’s input (Cavlazoglu, Erdogan, & Paine, 2012). Advances in technology have enabled test takers to access the test online as well as receive generated results when evaluating their anger expression and regulation. The ARES scoring software generates the test results based on the test taker’s input. The scoring software is portable making it easy for those providing services to youths to access the results from different locations.

Advances in technology have changed the way we do things from online applications to schools, to job applications to taking assessment tests. ARES’ online form provides children and teenagers from around the globe an opportunity to evaluate their anger expression and evaluation. Since ARES scoring software generates results, then we are likely to receive reliable and valid results for all test takers based on their input. This illustrates that ARES test evaluates anger expression and regulation in a fair and appropriate manner.

Synthesis of Findings

The ARES is a powerful tool for assessing anger experience among children. During adolescence negative behavioral patterns that are not adjusted at this stage are likely to continue into adulthood. Therefore, the ARES can be helpful in assessing anger experience and corrective measures that will help those with anger issues adjust before it is too late. Children and adolescents should be taught how to regulate their emotions as they develop into adults. The ARES reports and interventions provided based on this reports can contribute to change in anger expression and regulation (Shortt et al, 2010).

The two versions of ARES imply that test takers with limited time can still asses their anger expression and regulation within five minutes and get reports and interventions with such a short time. Test takers who need anger detailed profiles can opt for the full-length version. However, the age limit to 10 to 17 years is an issue since some adults may want to test their anger experiences and regulation.

Conclusion

Emotional state such as anger is a common experience in our daily lives. We become angry for various reasons that range in intensity and duration. Tests such as ARES test are helpful in helping children and youths determine their anger experiences that might be problematic and find meaningful solutions. ARES is an anger assessment tool administered in two versions to 10 to 17 years old persons. Each version provides adequate information regarding anger expression and regulation. For those who want in-depth information regarding the anger experiences can opt for the full-version that has 72 items to be answered otherwise the short version is reliable for anger expression as it touches on major areas of anger. ARES is a reliable and valid tool for assessing anger. However, it is limited to the stated age group. Additionally, it does measure anger expression among low children with low linguistic and cognitive skills.

ARES tool should be modified to measure anger at least from the age of 10 years and above since these people can illustrate their anger experiences. In fact, adults are exposed to substance abuse, use of drugs, or alcohol that might influence how they express their anger. They are likely to engage in violence when faced with intense anger that is harmful to themselves and others. Such people need their anger assessed and monitored too.

ARES short version tool has 17 items while the full-length tool has 72 items to assess anger experiences. The items on the short version are roughly a quarter of those on the full-length version. These items should be increased to at least 24 that represent a third of the full-length version. I think this way, more areas of the anger experience will be considered provided a better anger profile that that generated using the 17 items.

Lastly, the ARES tool should be freely available to those willing to assess their anger. The ARES form should be free of charge to allow people to asses their anger experience and regulation. Here, I am referring to a modified AREs tool that allows 10 years old and above to assess their anger experiences.

References Buros Center for Testing. (2017). Tests Reviewed Nineteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook. Retrieved from buros.org: http://buros.org/tests-reviewed-nineteenth-mental-measurements-yearbook Cavlazoglu, B., Erdogan, N., & Paine, T. (2012). Anger Regulation and Expression Scale. Psychoeducational Assessment, 84-88. Hart, L. R. (2011). ARES personality correlates of comorbid substance abuse among adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Adolescence, 657-667. Shortt, J., Stoolmiller, M., Smith-Shine, J., Eddy, J., & Sheeber, L. (2010). Maternal emotion coaching, adolescent anger regulation, and siblings’ externalizing symptoms. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol.51, No.7, pp: 799–808. Yoshimasu, K., Barbaresi, W. J., & Voigt, R. G. (2012). Childhood ADHD is strongly associated with a broad range of psychiatric disorders during adolescence: a population‐based birth cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1036-1043.