Evaluating anger in Chinese adolescents: Psychometric validation and clinical sensitivity of the Chinese version of the Children's Inventory of Anger

Importance: Accurately assessing anger in Chinese adolescents is crucial. Uncontrolled anger among adolescents can manifest in externalizing and internalizing problems. However, there are limited assessments specifically designed to measure anger in Chinese adolescents. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Children's Inventory of Anger (ChIA-C). Methods: We enrolled 1790 adolescents aged 11–18 years from five middle schools (mean age of 14.56 ± 1.71 years, 57.9% female). Of these, 901 participants (mean age of 13.95 ± 1.66 years, 59.2% female) completed a retest survey after 9 months. Psychometric assessments comprised factor structure analysis, reliability testing, validity examination, and measurement invariance analysis. Furthermore, we recruited 50 pairs of depressed adolescents and healthy controls to evaluate the clinical sensitivity of the ChIA-C. Results: Factor analysis confirmed a robust four-factor structure with favorable fit indices (χ²/df = 3.35, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.05, Comparative Fit Index = 0.92, and Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.91). Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.76–0.92) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.38–0.50, P < 0.001) were satisfactory. Positive correlations between ChIA-C scores and those of the Anger Expression Scale for Children (r = 0.28–0.49, P < 0.001) supported moderate convergent validity. Concurrent and predictive validity were confirmed by significant positive correlations between ChIA-C and Children's Depression Inventory scores at wave one and wave two, respectively (r = 0.13–0.34, P < 0.001). Moreover, measurement invariance across age and partial measurement invariance across sex were supported. Depressed adolescents showed significantly higher scores than healthy controls in the ChIA-C and its authority relationship and physical aggression subscales. Interpretation: The ChIA-C exhibits robust psychometric properties, establishing its reliability and validity as a tool for assessing anger in Chinese adolescents.