We next identified “key” items for the RA and PA scales by comparing factor loadings from our sample and the three previous factor analytic studies in adults (Haden et al., in press; Kochler et al., 2006; Stanford et al., 2003). Ten key items for the RA scale and 8 key items for the PA scale, identified as loading on the same scale in at least 3 of 4 samples, were used in the current analysis. Examples of RA items include: “When angry I acted without thinking” and “I feel I lost control of my temper during the acts.” Examples of PA items include: “I think the other person deserved what happened to them during some of the incidents” and “I feel my actions were necessary to get what I wanted.” Internal consistency values for the RA and PA scales were α=.73 and α=.77, respectively. Three extremely low scores (> 3 standard deviations below the mean) were identified on the RA scale and they were changed to one unit below the lowest, non-outlier score to reduce their influence (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2001).
