Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS)

Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS)

Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS) used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”

Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS)
Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS)

About Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS)

The Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS) is a psychological assessment tool developed to measure relational aggression among adolescents. This tool is particularly valuable in identifying patterns of relational aggression, a non-physical form of aggression that includes behaviors intended to harm others through relationships, social exclusion, or reputation damage.

Purpose of the Tool

The Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale was designed with two primary objectives:

  • To provide a standardized measure for relational aggression specifically among adolescents from diverse backgrounds.
  • To offer researchers, educators, and clinicians a tool that highlights the social and psychological dynamics underlying relational aggression, allowing them to address these behaviors effectively.
  • This tool aids in understanding relational aggression as it manifests in adolescents, helping to develop better-targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

Description of Tool

The Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS) was created by Horton (2010) as part of a doctoral dissertation at the University of Texas at Arlington. The development of DARAS came in response to the growing recognition of relational aggression as a significant issue in adolescent social dynamics, often under-measured by traditional aggression scales. DARAS accounts for the unique ways relational aggression can present across diverse cultural and social backgrounds, making it a more inclusive measure.

The DARAS consists of self-report items that assess various behaviors associated with relational aggression, including:

  • Social Exclusion: Measures behaviors related to isolating peers or excluding them from social groups.
  • Reputation Damage: Assesses actions aimed at harming another’s social standing or friendships.
  • Intimidation and Coercion: Looks at non-physical forms of intimidation, such as spreading rumors or threatening social repercussions.

Each item on the scale is rated using a Likert scale, which allows for responses that capture the frequency and intensity of these behaviors, providing insights into the relational aggression tactics used among adolescents.

Psychometric Properties

  • Reliability: DARAS has demonstrated high reliability, with consistent results across diverse adolescent populations, confirming the tool’s internal consistency.
  • Validity: Validation studies have shown that DARAS effectively measures relational aggression in a way that correlates with other behavioral assessments, supporting its use in educational and clinical settings.
  • Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: DARAS’s development included considerations for cultural differences, enhancing its utility in diverse adolescent populations and providing a more comprehensive view of relational aggression.

Age Group

The Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS) is intended for use among adolescents aged 12-18 years. This age range covers middle and high school students, where relational aggression behaviors are commonly observed and impactful.

References

Horton, K. (2010). The Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale: Development and Validation. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas at Arlington, 2010).

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Reference File: Aggression-A20

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