Objective: The objective is to examine the validity of the Chinese version of the Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly (RAGE) in Hong Kong.
Design: A cross-sectional study comparing the pattern of aggressive behaviour among residents of different elderly institutions.
Setting: A nursing home and a psychogeriatric inpatient unit.
Patients: Psychogeriatric inpatients and nursing home residents. Thirty subjects participated in the validation study of the Chinese version of the RAGE (CRAGE). Eighty-eight subjects were assessed by the CRAGE for pattern of aggressive behaviour.
Measures: The CRAGE and the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE).
Results: The CRAGE showed satisfactory validity and reliability measures. Aggressive episodes were found in 57% of the subjects, mostly mild in nature. No significant difference was found in the CRAGE total scores in different institutions and across diagnoses. Hospital and schizophrenic patients had significantly higher ratings in overall aggressiveness. Demented subjects had higher CRAGE ratings with CMMSE scores from 11 to 15.
Conclusions: CRAGE is a valid instrument for use in the Chinese elderly. Although there is no significant difference in total aggressive episodes among different elderly institutions, chronic psychiatric patients were more frequently regarded as aggressive.