Anger Expression Type and Mental Health in Middle Aged Women

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to identify type of anger expression and mental health in middle aged women. Methods: From August to October 2005, survey data were collected by using the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory and Symptom Check List-90-Revision (SCL). Participants (1,442) were classified into four types of anger expression by K-mean cluster analysis. For collecting interview data for content analysis, 18 participants (4-5 participants from each type of anger expression) were recruited. The interview data were collected between March and September 2006. Results: The average score of the state anger of middle-aged women was 11.95, and that of the trait anger was 18.75. The average anger expression scores were 12.72 for Anger-In, 13.45 for Anger-Out, and 18.51 for Anger-Control. The average SCL scores were 45.03 for somatization, 42.23 for obsessive-compulsiveness, 42.44 for interpersonal sensitivity, 42.45 for depression, 42.40 for anxiety, 42.62 for hostility, 44.44 for phobic anxiety, 43.65 for paranoid ideation, and 43.08 for psychoticism. The anger expression types identified in this study were 1) anger-out in secret, 2) anger-control with a patience, 3) anger-out with suppression, and 4) low anger expression type. The psychosomatic symptom scores were the highest in type III (anger-out with suppression), and the lowest in type IV (low anger expression type). Conclusion: This study can be helpful in assisting middle aged women to control their anger effectively and may contribute to the improvement of their mental health.

Anger Expression Types and Interpersonal Problems in Nurses

“…In middle-aged men, there were three subgroups, an anger-out, an anger-control, and a low-anger expression type [14]. A comparison of the results of this study and those of prior shows that the percentage of nurses with suppressed anger, such as those belonging to the anger-in type and the anger-in/control group is very high, which is similar to the anger expression style in middle-aged women [13]. Such a high prevalence of anger-suppression in nurses could be considered in relation to the job characteristics; nursing requires harmonious relationships, balance, and a friendly and accepting attitude.…”

“…The results from a study conducted on Korean middle-aged men that showed no anger-in types is in stark contrast to these findings [14]. Severe anger suppression can have negative impacts on physical and psychological health [1,13]. The results of a study on the relationship of anger expression subgroups and happiness in university students show that even if the anger control level is similar between two groups, the group with higher anger suppression showed a significantly lower happiness level [8].…”

“…The level of anger was found to vary with culture. The level of anger in Korean middle-aged women was higher than that in American adults [12,13]. Older adults showed lower level of anger compared to adolescents or other adults and used anger expression styles of anger-control and anger-in most frequently.…”

Patterns of Anger Expression among Middle-aged Korean Women: Q methodology

“…It is also thought that when women consider their relationships with others because of fear or socialization problems, they do not address the situation that caused the anger, and that women have less freedom to overtly express their anger and more often fear reprisal should they do so directly (Choi, 2009;Jack, 2001). …”

“…In addition, middle-aged Korean women are largely responsible for taking care of family members, and their physiological and psychological health conditions may thus also affect their family, and are associated with the health status of old age (Choi, 2009;Lee & Kim, 2000;Park et al, 2005). It is therefore imperative that middle-aged Korean women are taught to effectively manage their anger.…”