Abstract

PurposeThe goal of this study was to create and validate a brief self-report scale of antisocial beliefs.MethodsThe Antisocial Beliefs Scale, the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Mach-IV, the IVE Questionnaire were administrated to 718 prisoners. Dimensionality and construct validity of the ABS was investigated using CFA techniques, along with confirmatory bifactor analysis and second-order factor analysis. Four alternatives models of the ABS were specified and tested using Mplus. A comparison sample of adult male non-offenders was also recruited. This sample completed only the ABS.ResultsThe bi-factor model offered the best representation of the data. Results suggest that the ABS consists of eight subscales. The ABS showed different levels of antisocial beliefs in offenders and non-offenders. The factors of ABS correlate significantly with external variables. The Antisocial Beliefs Scale demonstrated very good internal consistency.ConclusionThe Antisocial Beliefs Scale can be used among participants with criminal history.