The role of anxiety sensitivity in anger symptomatology: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Anger and anxiety in older adults: a cross-lagged examination

OBJECTIVES

Both anger and anxiety are common in older adulthood, with aversive consequences for individuals' physical and mental health. Theory suggests that anger can be an emotional response to the experience of anxiety. Similarly, anger can induce anxiety symptoms. Despite studies documenting the co-occurrence of anger and anxiety and their strong theoretical links, little is known about their temporal relationship. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal cross-lagged relationship between anger expression, anger suppression, and anxiety.

METHODS

A large and representative sample of older adults (N=6,852) was utilized, with data collected in two waves at an interval of four years. All variables were measured using validated self-report scales.Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling.

RESULTS

Results indicate that both anger suppression and anger expression are significant predictors of anxiety symptoms. Similarly, anxiety is a significant predictor of both anger suppression and anger expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects did not differ in magnitude, suggesting a balanced reciprocity between anger and anxiety. An understanding of this reciprocal association can inform interventions and strategies aimed at promoting emotional well-being in older individuals. By addressing both anger and anxiety concurrently, interventions may have a more comprehensive impact on improving mental health outcomes in this population.

The Mental Health Outcomes and Cost Estimates of Korean Medicine for Anxiety Disorder Patients

Korean medicine (KM) is used to treat anxiety disorders, but there is limited research on its effects. This study aimed to examine the associations between improved QoL and reduced clinical symptoms and KM in patients with anxiety disorders. The medical records of patients with anxiety who were treated with KM (acupuncture, psychotherapy, Chuna therapy, aromatherapy, or herbal medicine) for at least 4 weeks were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical, QoL, and cost outcomes were measured at baseline and at weeks 4 and 12 (Anxiety: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI X-1 (state), X-2 (trait)], Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]; anger: State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory State [STAXI-S (state), T (trait)], Anger Expression Inventory [AXI-K-I (anger-in), AXI-K-O (anger-out), AXI-K-C (anger-control); depression: Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI II], QoL: QoL-related instruments Euro Quality of Life 5 Dimensions utility score [EQ-5D], Euro QoL Visual Analog Scale [EQ-VAS]). The total costs for each item were calculated in terms of NHIS-covered costs and patients' out-of-pocket costs from the perspective of the healthcare system. The medical records of 67 patients were evaluated. The KM treatments were found to be associated with decreased anxiety (STAI X-1; STAI X-2; BAI, p < 0.0001), depression (BDI-II, p < 0.0001), and anger (AKI-K-I; AKI-K-O, p < 0.05) and increased QoL (EQ-5D; EQ-VAS, p < 0.0001). An average of USD 1360 was paid for the KM treatments for 4 weeks. The study findings suggested that KM may improve clinical symptoms and QoL outcomes in patients with anxiety disorders.

Paranoia and Social Anxiety: Predicting Aggressive Behavior

Aggression is a transdiagnostic behavior that is associated with poor clinical outcomes. As such, it is important to understand factors that contribute to various manifestations of aggressive behavior. Recent research has revealed a subtype of individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who tend to display relatively high amounts of aggression and experience more severe social anxiety and dysfunction compared to individuals in the prototypical SAD group. The current study used a status threat manipulation along with behavioral indices of aggression to examine the impact of paranoia and social anxiety symptom severity on aggression in a sample of undergraduates with social anxiety (N = 220). Analyses indicated that paranoia uniquely predicted indirect aggression whereas an interaction between social status threat, paranoia, and social anxiety severity uniquely predicted direct aggression. These findings suggest that paranoia may be a particularly important contributor to aggression among individuals with social anxiety.

Anger and Aggression in Relation to Psychological Resilience and Alcohol Abuse among Health Professionals during the First Pandemic Wave

Mental health problems, behavior changes, and addictive issues have been consistently documented among healthcare workers during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of anger and aggression in relation to psychological resilience and alcohol abuse among healthcare workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 120 physicians and 123 nurses completed an online survey of the Dimensions of Anger Reactions-5 (DAR-5), the Brief Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Alcohol Screening questionnaire CAGE which is an acronym for the focus of the questions (Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, Guilty feeling, and Eye-openers). Demographic and professional data were also recorded. A total of 53 men and 190 women participated in the study. Almost one-third of the participants had a positive score on the DAR-5 scale and one out of ten respondents presented with current problematic alcohol use. Male participants demonstrated lower scores on the DAR-5 scale compared to females. Individuals with current problematic alcohol use displayed higher scores on the BAQ compared to those without alcohol use disorders. Regression analysis revealed that 16.4% of the variance in the BAQ scores can be attributed to scores on the DAR-5, 5.9% to the BRS scores, 2.1% to the CAGE scores, 1.7% to gender, and 1.2% to years of work experience. Mediation analysis highlighted the role of psychological resilience as a negative mediator in the DAR-5 and BAQ relationship. Professional experience and alcohol abuse emerged as positive and negative risk factors contributing to aggression and psychological resilience. The findings hold practical implications for implementing interventions to strengthen resilience in order to compensate for aggressive tendencies and discourage addictive issues.