Anger expression and stress responses in military men.

INTRODUCTION

A better understanding of individual differences in the human stress response may enhance prevention and treatment of operational stress reactions. In this study, we examined the relationships of anger experience and expression to stress indices during daily living and in response to military survival training in 45 men.

METHODS

Prior to participation in survival training, subjects completed self-report measures of perceived stress and anger. The revised Impact of Event Scale was then administered 24 h after the conclusion of training.

RESULTS

As expected, outward anger expression was positively associated with perceived stress during free living (P < 0.0125). Outward anger expression, inward anger expression, and angry temperament then combined to account for 25% of the variance in psychological impact of a stressful mock-captivity challenge.

CONCLUSION

Anger characteristics are associated with human stress endpoints, both during daily living and in response to an ecologically valid stressor. These findings may assist in the prevention and treatment of operational stress reactions.