Validation of the Dutch Reactive Proactive Questionnaire (RPQ): differential correlates of reactive and proactive aggression from childhood to adulthood

M. Cima*, A. Raine, C. Meesters, A. Popma

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This study reports reliability and validity of the Dutch Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ). In total, 845 participants completed the RPQ along with other measures of aggression. Groups consisted of non-offender participants, criminal offenders, youngsters (age 618), and adults (age above 18). Testretest stability in a subsample of 324 childhood arrestees was good (all ICC's>0.41). A confirmatory factor analysis supported the same two-factor structure as in the original RPQ. Convergent validity was adequate (all r's>0.16). Moreover, results demonstrated that the proactive and reactive subscales were differentially related to measurements of callousness and impulsiveness, respectively. Criterion validity was shown in that non-offender subjects demonstrated significantly lower RPQ scores than offender samples. Finally, construct validity was demonstrated in that violent offenders showed higher aggression scores than non-violent offenders. Proactive aggression showed different developmental trajectories within non-offender versus criminal samples, indicating that this form of aggression may be more pathological. Aggr. Behav. 39:99113, 2013. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)99-113
Number of pages15
JournalAggressive Behavior
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013

Keywords

  • reactive aggression
  • proactive aggression
  • impulsivity
  • predatory
  • CALLOUS-UNEMOTIONAL TRAITS
  • PSYCHOPATHIC PERSONALITY-INVENTORY
  • BARRATT IMPULSIVENESS SCALE
  • CONDUCT PROBLEMS
  • DEVELOPMENTAL TRAJECTORIES
  • PREMEDITATED AGGRESSION
  • CLINICAL-ASSESSMENT
  • 2-FACTOR MODEL
  • SELF-REPORT
  • ADOLESCENCE

Cite this