Measuring Forms and Functions of Aggression in Portuguese Young Adults: Validation of the Peer Conflict Scale

This work reports a preliminary validation of the Peer Conflict Scale (PCS) for Portuguese young adults (ages 18–30 years). instrument assesses aggression considering two its forms (overt and relational aggression) functions (reactive proactive aggression). The initially proposed 4-factor model provided best fit our data was partially invariant by sex. All subscales revealed good reliability based on internal consistency test–retest indicators. Construct validity obtained through investigation sex differences that align with previous findings aggressive behavior in relation to emotion regulation strategies. These initial results suggest PCS, originally designed adolescents, is promising tool assess adults, notwithstanding need additional psychometric studies further establish quality this instrument.