THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPRESSION OF ANGER IN MARITALLY VIOLENT AND MARITALLY DISCORDANT-NONVIOLENT MEN

We examined the experience and expression of anger in community sample s of 31 maritally violent (MV), 23 maritally dissatisfied-nonviolent ( DNV), and 34 maritally satisfied-nonviolent (SNV) men. Two methods wer e used to assess anger. First, participants completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), which assesses respondents' level of anger experience (State Anger, Trait Anger) and usage of various an ger expression styles (Anger In, Anger Out, and Anger Control). Second , participants verbally reported their emotions during a laboratory an ger-induction paradigm (Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations; ATSS). Results indicated that, relative to DNV and SNV men, MV men sco red significantly higher on the STAXI Trait Anger and Anger Out scales , and lower on STAXI Anger Control.