ANGRY - LETS TALK ABOUT IT

Cognitive/perceptual, physiological, and behavioral correlates of ange r discussion were examined in a sample of 461 health fair participants at a southeastern university. Subjects who usually discussed their an ger differed significantly from those who did not in systolic blood pr essure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, aerobic exercise, p erceived importance of health, and perceived health status. Zn gender- specific correlational analyses, discussion of anger was inversely rel ated to women's global assessment of stress and to their levels of per ceived stress at home and at work. This study suggests that talking ab out anger may be a health-promoting alternative to suppressing it or v enting it outwardly after a provocation. Gender differences and implic ations for practice are discussed. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.