Psychometric Evaluation of the Spanish Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire–Short Form (BPAQ-SF) Among Incarcerated Males and Females in Spain

The Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire–Short Form (BPAQ-SF) is a widely used self-report tool designed to assess aggression. However, evidence on its psychometric properties among Spanish-speaking incarcerated individuals remains limited. This study examines the factor structure and psychometric performance of the Spanish version of the BPAQ-SF among male and female individuals incarcerated in six Spanish prisons. The original four-factor structure (Verbal Aggression, Physical Aggression, Hostility, and Anger) showed acceptable fit according to scaled indices, but poor fit based on robust indices. A three-factor model combining Verbal Aggression and Anger improved internal consistency (α = .80, ω = .82 for the combined factor) and parsimony, although model fit issues persisted. Overall, the findings provide mixed support for the Spanish version of the BPAQ-SF. While the three-factor structure appears more psychometrically defensible, users should be aware of limitations related to item performance and model fit, particularly when relying on robust indices.