Anger in former East German political prisoners - Relationship to posttraumatic stress reactions and social support

Anger is a salient symptom of traumatized victims and a major sign for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the causes for the increased lev el of anger remain almost unknown. The present study investigates the inter relationship of anger, posttraumatic stress reactions, and social support i n a group of former East German political prisoners (N = 91). Assessments i ncluded the German version of the Anxiety Disorders Schedule (DIPS) as well as measures of anger (STAXI), posttraumatic stress reactions (IES-R), and social support (SSQ). As expected, participants reported a high level of an ger. Most measures of anger, posttraumatic stress reactions, and social sup port were significantly correlated. Within structural equation modeling, tr ait-anger was shown to be directly activated by the experience of chronic p osttraumatic intrusions. Social support appeared to lessen the level of ang er. The results confirm findings from studies on other traumatic events and provide additional information on the relationship between posttraumatic a nger and social support. The findings indicate that treatments for PTSD mig ht be effectively supplemented by addressing anger and social support.