Instrument for Reactive and Proactive Aggression – IRPA
Measures the frequency and underlying motives of reactive and proactive aggressive behaviors in children and adolescents.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Instrument for Reactive and Proactive Aggression – IRPA was developed by Polman, H., Orobio de Castro, B., Koops, W., van Boxtel, H. W., & Merk, W. W. (2007). It is designed to measure Reactive and Proactive Aggression. The scale is intended for use with Children and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 36 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Reactive Aggression, Proactive Aggression.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Reactive Aggression | 1,2,6,7,8,12,13,14,18,19,20,24,25,26,30,31,32,36 | 18 |
| Proactive Aggression | 3,4,5,9,10,11,15,16,17,21,22,23,27,28,29,33,34,35 | 18 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Never, 1 = Rarely, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often, 4 = Always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 72. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Aggression: 0 – 18
- Moderate Aggression: 19 – 36
- High Aggression: 37 – 72
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.