A psychometric analysis of aggression and conflict-resolution behavior in black adolescent males

We tested the effectiveness of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) and an adaptation of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) to differentiate between aggressive and nonaggressive inner city Black adolescent males. The CTS provided measures of conflict-resolution behavior toward “others” except siblings and parents; the adapted version of the BDHI provided measures of aggression toward friends and strangers. The sample comprised 83 males, ranging in age from 12 to 17 (M = 13.9 years), who were classified as institutionalized aggressive, noninstitutionalized aggressive, and noninstitutionalized nonaggressive on the basis of their behavior before the CTS and adapted version of the BDHI were administered. The results indicated that the adapted version of the BDHI discriminated between aggressive and nonaggressive individuals as well as institutionalized and noninstitutionalized individuals. The verbal physical aggression scales of the CTS were found to differentiate between the institutionalized aggressive and noninstitutionalized nonaggressive participants. Positive correlations were obtained between the CTS and subscales of the adapted version of the BDHI. The scales may be useful for assessing aggression and conflict-resolution behavior among inner-city Black adolescent males.