Anger in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Students

Peter Boman; Amanda Mergler; Michael Furlong; Nerina Caltabiano

Authors

Peter Boman Queensland University of Technology
Amanda Mergler Queensland University of Technology
Michael Furlong University of California, Santa Barbara
Nerina Caltabiano James Cook University

Keywords:

anger, Indigenous students, cultural difference, Multidimensional School Anger Inventory

Abstract

This descriptive pilot study examined the cultural differences in the dimensions of self-reported anger in Indigenous and non-Indigenous (Caucasian) students aged 10-13 years in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Multidimensional School Anger Inventory – Revised (MSAI-R) (Boman, Curtis, Furlong, & Smith, 2006) was used to measure affective, cognitive and behavioural components of anger. It was found that Indigenous students had significant but small differences on the “anger experience” (affective) and “destructive expression” (behavioural) subscales. Considerations for school staff, attempting to support and connect with Indigenous students and future research are discussed.

Author Biographies

Peter Boman, Queensland University of Technology

Peter Boman, PhD is Senior Lecturer in Educational and Developmental Psychology and Classroom Management.
Amanda Mergler, Queensland University of Technology

Lecturer - Educational and Developmental Psychology
School of Cultural and Professional Learning
Faculty of Education, QUT
Michael Furlong, University of California, Santa Barbara

Michael Furlong, PhD is Professor and Director of the Center for Strength-Based Youth Development.
Nerina Caltabiano, James Cook University

Nerina Caltabiano, PhD is Senior Lecturer in Psychology

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