Psychometric properties of the AQ Aggression Scale in Chilean students.

BACKGROUND The Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) evaluates aggressive behaviours and is used to assess manifestations of aggression. METHODS At different points in time, 346 Chilean university students participated in the validation of the instrument, whose convergent validity was shown in relation to the scales of Psychological Aggression and Physical Aggression of the Conflict Tactics Scale 2 (CTS- 2), and the Salvo Impulsivity Scale. Discriminant validity was found when comparing the scores obtained from a group of students categorized as "Violent" with those of a control group, after a screening test. RESULTS The AQ scale has appropriate psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity. Four principal factors were obtained in the confirmatory factor analysis. CONCLUSIONS The AQ can be used in Chile to assess aggressive behaviours. Challenges for future research are discussed.