Design and validation of the aggression tendency evaluation questionnaire (CETA-18)
Journal
Multidisciplinary Reviews
ISSN
2595-3982
2595-3982
Date Issued
2026
Type
journal-article
Abstract
Aggressive behavior remains a critical concern in contemporary society, with individuals frequently exhibiting disproportionate responses to frustration or perceived provocation. Given the social and psychological consequences of such behavior, the present study aimed to develop and validate the Aggression Tendency Evaluation Questionnaire, a brief self-report scale designed to assess individual predisposition to aggression. The instrument was applied to a sample of 740 adults (365 men, 375 women) aged 18 to 70, residing in Quito, Ecuador. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed, and data were analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha, the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure, Bartlett’s test of sphericity, exploratory factor analysis, and Spearman’s correlation. The questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.904) and a clear three-factor structure, identifying verbal-expressive aggression, social/indirect aggression, and physical-reactive aggression as distinct dimensions. Correlational analyses revealed weak but significant inverse associations between aggression tendency and variables such as age, employment status, and religious practice, suggesting these factors may serve as protective elements. Other variables, including gender, educational level, and relationship status, showed no significant associations. These results support the questionnaire as a valid and reliable tool for assessing aggression tendency in adult populations. Its psychometric robustness and ease of application make it a practical instrument for use in both research and applied psychological contexts. Further studies are recommended to confirm its factorial structure and explore its cross-cultural applicability.