Association of Abuse-Related Symptoms and Style of Anger Expression for Female Survivors of Childhool Incest

Abstract

Thirty-two adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and the Response to Childhood Incest Questionnaire (RCIQ). These women reported higher levels of both experienced and expressed anger than comparable STAXI norms. The STAXI measure of inwardly directed anger was positively correlated with the total symptom score of the RCIQ and with 10 of the 11 RCIQ subscales. STAXI measures of outwardly directed anger and anger control were not correlated with the RCIQ. These findings are the first empirical evidence for an association between style of anger expression and the long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse.