The Relation of Anger and Anger Expression to Eating Disorders in Late School-Age Children

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional study was designed to identify anger-expression types in late school-age children and to investigate the relation of anger and the anger-expression type to their eating disorders. Method: Two hundred fifty four children in elementary school were recruited from 14 to 25, April, 2008. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey's multiple comparison test. Result: Three anger-expression types in late school-age children were found; Anger-in/out, Anger-control, and Low anger-expression types. Children frequently using the anger-out/in type among the three types and with a higher trait anger reported higher eating disorders. Particularly trait anger and unhealthy anger expression type were linked to eating disorders. Conclusion: This study suggests that a specific anger management program needs to be developed for late school-age children with high trait anger and frequently using the anger out/in expression type and Anger-control type than low anger-expression types. Further research needs to be done with large samples and discussed in terms of the role of gender in eating disorders.