(PS2-D91) Does Anger Contribute to Social Problem Solving Following Interpersonal Trauma?

Anger experienced following trauma is often dysfunctional in nature and is associated with difficulties in various life domains. A possible explanation for this could be that anger impacts the way that a person approaches daily life issues. Given the salience of social problem-solving during recovery following interpersonal trauma, it is important to examine post trauma processes that may interfere with social problem solving. Further, anger may be experienced and expressed in different ways, which may have different outcomes in terms of social problem solving. The current study sought to examine the association between Anger Expression In (suppressed anger) and Anger Expression Out (anger directed towards other people or objects in the environment) with different social problem-solving domains including problem orientation (Positive Problem Orientation, Negative Problem Orientation) and problem-solving styles (Rational, Impulsive/Careless, Avoidant) in a sample of women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).

The sample included 121 women who sought help at a mental health clinic after experiencing IPV. The sample ranged in age from 18-67 years (M = 37, SD = 13.5). The sample was 55.4% White, 31.4% African American, 6.6% Hispanic, and 5.8% indicated their race as other. The data was collected using self-report measures. The Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised was used to assess the five dimensions of social problem solving. State Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 was used to assess Anger Expression In and Anger Expression Out.

Path analysis via Mplus v8 was used to evaluate the association between anger variables on problem solving. The models predicting Negative Problem Orientation, Impulsive/Careless style, and Avoidant style were significant (all ps < .01), and explained 31%, 17%, and 19% variance respectively. Anger Expression In was positively associated with Negative Problem Orientation (β = .51, p < .001), Impulsive/Careless problem-solving style (β = .26, p = .003), and Avoidance problem-solving style (β = .41, p < .001). Anger Expression Out was associated with Impulsive/Careless style (β = .25, p = .003).

The results highlight the importance of addressing anger experience post trauma as anger may interfere with daily problem-solving, impede recovery following trauma, and impact overall functioning. Specifically, the results demonstrate that suppressed anger may contribute to having a negative outlook towards everyday issues and influence the person’s ability to solve such problems. Additionally, suppressed anger may lead to avoidance, further exacerbating negative post-trauma outcomes. Further, both suppressed anger and anger expressed towards objects and people in the environment was linked to an impulsive or careless approach to solving daily life problems. Results demonstrate anger as an important target of intervention when considering post trauma recovery.