With a between-subjects design and gender as its one independent variable, the researchers in this study used the Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory to compare the score of 12 females and 23 males within a forensic psychiatric service for patients with learning disabilities.

The team found there were significant differences between scores which suggested to them that female forensic patients with learning disabilities experienced higher levels of anger than males and this was particularly so in the arousal domain. They also found the female patients had difficulties in regulating anger.

They point out that there are limitations to the findings, for example the use of a single measure and the small sample, but suggest that the findings should alert service providers to the need to consider in more detail gender specific differences when assessing and treating anger difficulties. They suggest that female forensic patients with learning disabilities could benefit from anger arousal reduction work.

Do male and female forensic patients with learning disabilities differ on subscales of the Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI)? Chilvers J & Thomas C in  Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour 2, 2, 84-97