Higher Levels Of Anger Research Articles

The Language of Conspiracy Theories: Negative Emotions and Themes Facilitate Diffusion Online

Global polling has seen an increase in endorsement of conspiratorial beliefs in recent years, with social media platforms receiving criticism for their potential role in facilitating this spread. The current study analyzed the presence of emotions and themes in conspiratorial content (revolving around conspiracy theories or conspiratorial ideas) on Twitter (now “X”) and Reddit when compared to scientific and general discussion, and the ability of emotions and themes to predict engagement (likes, shares etc.) in conspiratorial spheres. Approximately four million words worth of content were collected from Twitter and Reddit and analyzed using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) tool to determine concentration of different emotions and themes. Conspiratorial discussions were found to show significantly higher rates of anger, anxiety, power, and death compared to both scientific and general discussions across both platforms. Engagement was successfully predicted within conspiracy discussions; higher levels of anger, anxiety, power, and death predicted higher levels of engagement in conspiracy discussions. Contrary to previous findings, positive emotions were predictive of lower levels of engagement in conspiracy-related discussions. The findings suggest that conspiratorial content relies on powerful negative emotional responses to gain traction and increase audience engagement. The findings are discussed in the context of cognitive processes involved in the adoption of conspiracy theories, and we offer suggestions for researchers developing educational interventions and social media platforms to reduce the spread of conspiracy theories online.

Opportunities for contact, contact valence and outgroup attitudes: the moderating role of outgroup anger / Oportunidades de contacto, valencia de contacto y actitudes del exogrupo: el rol moderador de la ira del exogrupo

Opportunities for contact reduce prejudice via positive contact and increase it via negative contact. However, the relative importance of these routes varies considerably, and it is unclear what processes are crucial in this respect. The analysis of a sample of Romanian students ( N = 232) revealed that outgroup anger moderated both the paths from opportunities for contact to contact and from contact to positive outgroup attitudes: at low levels of anger, the positive route was dominant, whereas at higher levels of anger, the negative route reduced the positive effects. These results underline an important connection between the waning and waxing of intergroup conflict and intergroup contact.

Impact of Gestalt and Reality Counseling on Reducing Junior High School Students’ Anger in Social Media

Adolescent emotional development can be enhanced by effectively managing conflicts in everyday life, such as those encountered on social media. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Gestalt group counseling with Rehearsal techniques and Reality group counseling with Expressive Writing techniques in mitigating anger emotions in students' social media interactions. Conducted as an experimental research with a pre-test-post-test two-treatment design, the study utilized purposive sampling to select 16 eighth-grade students from State Junior High School 2 Wagir, Malang Regency, Indonesia who demonstrated high levels of anger in social media. The participants were divided into two groups: one receiving Gestalt group counseling with Rehearsal techniques and the other Reality group counseling with Expressive Writing techniques. Data on anger emotions were collected using a specific anger instrument and analyzed with a t-Test. The findings indicate that: (1) Gestalt group counseling with Rehearsal techniques is effective in reducing anger emotions in students on social media; (2) Reality group counseling with Expressive Writing techniques is effective in reducing anger emotions in students on social media; (3) Gestalt group counseling with Rehearsal techniques is more effective than Reality group counseling with Expressive Writing techniques in reducing anger emotions in students on social media. The outcomes of this research may provide school counselors and researchers with additional references for the application of Gestalt group counseling in reducing anger emotions in social media among students.

‘Hidden’ anger as a risk factor for operational health: An exploratory approach among French military personnel

ABSTRACT Military personnel are repeatedly exposed to multiple stressors, and are sometimes characterized by high levels of anger. Evidence suggests that this anger can become dysfunctional, and impact the health status of populations chronically exposed to stress. In particular, rumination (understood as perseverative thoughts about a past event), provides a theoretical framework for investigating how anger may impact stress regulation abilities in military personnel declared fit for deployment. This exploratory study aimed therefore to examine the impact of the anger profile on psychological suffering in terms of burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with the reactivity of the autonomic nervous system, measured as cardiac variability. One hundred and seventeen French soldiers were tested before deployment to Operation BARKHANE. Anger rumination, burnout, and PTSD symptoms were assessed using questionnaires, and cardiac variability was measured as the questionnaires were completed. The results revealed two profiles related to anger trait and anger rumination. Burnout and PTSD scores were higher among military personnel with high levels of anger trait and rumination, and this group also had lower parasympathetic activity and flexibility after completing the questionnaires. These results suggest that there may be a link between an angry profile and psychological suffering, notably burnout and PTSD. Rumination could be involved in this link, as it is associated with poor adaptation to stress in a military context. Prospective researches including post-deployment will establish whether this ruminative response can account for the relationship between problematic anger, stress regulatory capacities and psychological health in military populations.

Suicide Risk among the Octogenarian Age Group: A Comparative Study

We aimed to investigate the factors that affect the likelihood of suicide in the elderly, with a focus on individuals aged 80 and older. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 7 nursing homes in the Manisa province, Turkiye. The data has been collected through face-toface using a socio-demographic data form, the life satisfaction scale, and the suicide probability scale. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0, non-parametric statistical methods have been employed. The study included 278 elderly participants, 5 outliers were removed from the analysis. Among the included elderly participants (n=273), the anger score averages of males were higher. Low, high, and moderate income were found to have a higher suicide probability respectively. Those who resided in a nursing home for 3 years or more had higher anger scores. Elderly individuals residing in publicly funded nursing homes had higher averages in suicide probability, negative self, exhaustion, and anger scores. Further analyses were performed among the octogenarian population (n=149). Octogenarian males had higher scores in Suicide Probability, Disconnection from Life, and Anger Scale than the female octagenarian participants. Octogenarians with low income were found to experience a lack of attachment to life and higher levels of anger. In publicly funded nursing homes, octogenarians had higher suicide probability and anger scores compared to those in private nursing homes. The risk of suicide in octogenarians should be taken seriously. Factors such as gender, income level, and type of nursing home can influence this risk.

The relationship between smartphone and computer games and anger in adolescents

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between the causes and duration of gaming and types of games and
 levels of anger among Turkish adolescents studying at high schools.
 Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive design with adolescents enrolled in high schools
 in an Eastern Turkish province. A total of 819 adolescent students aged 13-18 were included in the study. Data were collected online
 through Google Forms, utilizing both the “Sociodemographic Form” and the “Adolescent Anger Rating Scale.”
 Results: The mean age of the adolescents was 15.52±1.29. Gender, academic performance, daily sleep duration, and daily walking
 distance were not found to be associated with anger levels. Additionally, there was no significant correlation between anger scores and
 the status of computer and smartphone usage. However, individuals who used smartphones for 3 hours or more for purposes such as
 gaming, entertainment, chatting, messaging, and socializing exhibited higher anger scores.
 Conclusion: Academic grades, the duration of smartphone usage, computer and smartphone use for gaming/entertainment, chatting,
 messaging, and socializing were found to be associated with anger. Specifically, extended periods of playing war, fighting, and similar
 games on both computers and smartphones were correlated with higher levels of anger. It would be advantageous for parents to monitor
 and regulate the content of the games their adolescents play, observe any behavioral differences, and take necessary precautions.

Influence of online STEAM hands-on learning on AI learning, creativity, and creative emotions

ABSTRACT Given the importance of innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) education, and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, we explored the effects of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) hands-on learning on online AI learning and creativity. We also analyzed the effects of creative emotions on AI learning using facial expressions. We recruited 25 preservice teachers at a public university as participants. A pretest – post-test nonequivalent comparison group design was adopted. AI learning was applied to experimental teaching. The experimental and control groups received online STEAM hands-on learning and standard teaching, respectively. The findings were as follows: STEAM hands-on learning had a significant positive effect on the conjunction item, example item, and total AI concept scores, and an even greater positive effect on AI attitude scores, particularly for AI processing and output; the effect size of STEAM hands-on learning on AI creativity was large, and the effect was positive in terms of design novelty, elaboration, and usability; and participants had higher anger levels in the designing and drawing AI learning stages, implying a high degree of focus and engagement. Finally, recommendations for instruction include the use of more online resources and engaging practical software to improve professional learning and enjoyment.

Parent affective responses to observed adolescent disclosures in the context of type 1 diabetes management.

Rates of Type 1 diabetes are rising, and diabetes management often deteriorates during adolescence. Adolescent disclosure to parents is a key factor for effective diabetes management, and parent affective responses to disclosures affect the timing of future disclosures in healthy populations, but no studies to our knowledge have examined parent affective behaviors that facilitate or inhibit disclosure in the context of managing Type 1 diabetes. The present study examined how observed parental affective responses to adolescent disclosures predict the timing of subsequent disclosures during a discussion task in a sample of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and their parents (N = 66 dyads). Generalized linear mixed models were used to test whether increased or decreased levels of parent affect relative to their emotional baseline response to adolescent disclosures predicted the timing of subsequent disclosures. Adolescents took longer to disclose again when parents responded to prior adolescent disclosures with higher levels of anger and of positive affect relative to their baseline levels of these emotions. Findings suggest that parental affective responses to disclosures have implications for adolescent disclosure in the context of chronic illness management. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Destructive Effects of Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles on Farmer Well-Being: Mental Health Consequences Outweigh Economic Losses.

In many countries, the use of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) occasionally spills over into agricultural lands. The conflict between ROV users and farmers is escalating due to the growing popularity of ROVs. Determined action of authorities for mitigating the phenomenon may necessitate an understanding of the nature and extent of the actual damage caused by ROVs. However, it is currently unknown how ROVs harm agriculture and what is their main deleterious effect on farmers. We tested our hypothesis that economic costs are the leading reason for farmer distress using in-depth interviews with 46 Israeli farmers that are affected by ROVs. We found that contrary to our hypothesis, economic costs were low and negligible, despite high levels of anger, distress, or hopelessness expressed by almost all farmers. The main reason for outrage and frustration was the emotional impact of ROV activity on the farmers. Therefore, measuring the effects of ROVs on agriculture in terms of economic losses will probably be ineffective in convincing policymakers to act against the reckless use of ROVs in agricultural lands. On the other hand, conveying the emotional implications for the farmers can potentially promote change if accompanied by explanations on the importance of caring for the mental health and well-being of a sector that already suffers from levels of stress and mental health problems that are among the highest of any other industry in the world.

Parameters of anger as related to sensory-affective components of pain.

Comorbid with chronic pain are negative emotions, anger being particularly salient. To evaluate specific relationships between pain and anger, the present study deconstructed anger into five parameters anddichotomized pain into sensory vs. affective components. Hypotheses were (i)anger parameters would be significantly and positively correlated with affective painmore so than with sensory pain, and (ii) individual parameters would be differentially related to pain components. The Anger Parameters Scale (APS) was used torate five parameters of anger: frequency, duration, intensity, latency, and threshold. Also rated was the physical sensation of pain and the degree of distress frompain. The volunteer sample comprised n=51 chronic pain patients, varying in ethnicity/race and educational level. Descriptive statistics revealed: APS total M=71.52, SD=16.68, Sensory pain M=6.27, SD=2.15, Affective pain M=5.76, SD=2.28. Sensory and affective pain were highly correlated, r=0.70. APS total was significantly associated with affective pain (r=+0.28) but hardly with sensory pain (r=0.12). Two anger parameters significantly correlated with affective pain: anger frequency (r=+0.30, p<0.05) and anger threshold (r=+0.33, p<0.05). Secondarily, certain educational levels (but not gender and ethnicity/race) were associated with significantly higher APS total scores. Scores for all variables were in the mid-range. As hypothesized, anger was more strongly correlated with distress/suffering of pain than with physical sensation of pain, though both pain components were closely coupled. Specific findings regarding frequency and threshold imply that being angry often and being oversensitive to provocation are associated with greater distress in this context. In deconstructing anger and dichotomizing pain, the present study extends previous research by elaborating on what aspects of anger are most related to which components of pain. Moreover, certain educational levels with higher levels of anger may need special attention. Further research could examine if treatment of anger might lead to corresponding changes in chronic pain.

Using VR to investigate bystander behavior and the motivational factors in school bullying

The main goal of this study is to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based scenario of bullying that is more effective in investigating the motivational factors (i.e., emotion, self-efficacy) of adolescents' bystander behavior than the traditional text method. The second goal is to examine how emotion and defender self-efficacy relate to adolescent bystander behavior. Eighth graders (N = 229) from Taiwan participated in 2 (presentation mode: VR vs. text) x 2 (participant sex: boys vs. girls) x 2 (actor sex: boys vs. girls) experimental trials. The results of MANCOVAs indicated that boys displayed less outsider and pro-bullying behavior in the VR group than in the text group; however, there were no differences in bystander behavior for girls. The subjects in the VR group experienced more fear and excitement, less empathy, and a lower level of defender self-efficacy than those in the text group. The results of regression analyses showed that higher levels of anger and defender self-efficacy significantly predicted positive bystander behavior. Qualitative data revealed that VR provided the subjects with a vivid and realistic bullying experience and enabled them to experience emotions such as anger, empathy, and fear. The findings demonstrate that VR increases students’ antibullying attitudes, justice emotions, and positive bystander behavior. However, VR does not provoke more empathy and self-efficacy, as expected. VR might capture a different dimension of response to bullying than the traditional text method. Nevertheless, VR has promise as an educational tool for developing bystander intervention in high school.

To reflect and learn: the emotional labor strategies of victims of workplace ostracism and the role of anger

ABSTRACT Research on coping with workplace ostracism has mainly focused on victims’ behaviors. This study provides additional insights by focusing on victims’ cognitive processes and emotion regulation to determine how workplace ostracism leads them to reflect and act on their emotions. Drawing on emotion regulation theory and ego depletion theory, we proposed a moderated mediation model to examine the mediating role of reflective learning in the relationships between workplace ostracism and emotional labor and the moderating effect of anger on the process. We conducted an experimental vignette study with 199 working adults in China. When the participants reported low levels of anger in response to workplace ostracism, they engaged in more surface acting and deep acting through reflective learning. However, when the participants reported high levels of anger, they did not use reflective learning effectively. We discuss the implications of these results for both research and practice.

Taking a Closer Look at Disclosure Recipients: How Disclosure Strategy and Emotion Influence Communicative and Relational Responses to Disclosures of Transgender Identity

Guided by the theory of communication privacy management, this study examines recipients’ communicative and relational responses to disclosures of transgender identity. Participants (N = 207) completed an online survey and reported on a time they learned about a close other’s transgender identity. Results indicated that perceived disclosure strategy influenced recipients’ supportive communication, avoidance, aggression, and relational distancing. Recipients’ feelings of sympathy and anger moderated the effects of disclosure strategies on recipient responses. A general pattern emerged, suggesting the effects of disclosure strategies on recipient responses are amplified at low levels of sympathy and high levels of anger.

The role of subclinical psychopathic traits on experimentally induced self- and other-compassion.

Psychopathic traits come with high levels of anger and aggression. Since previous studies showed that compassion can mitigate both anger and aggression, the current research puts compassion forward as a possible target to alleviate psychopathy's destructive patterns. Specifically, the present study explored the influence of subclinical psychopathic traits-as well as their three subcomponents egocentricity, callousness, and antisociality-on the efficacy of experimentally induced self-compassion (SC) and other-compassion (OC). This manuscript is part of a larger study in which student and community participants (N = 230, M age = 27.41, 65.2% female) completed a psychopathic trait questionnaire to assess their dimensional level of psychopathy, filled out state SC and OC questionnaires, and were randomized to participate in an experimental self- or other-compassion induction. It was expected that psychopathic traits would positively relate to increases in SC but negatively relate to increases in OC. Baseline levels of both SC and OC negatively related to psychopathy. Overall, as expected, the results on change scores show that subclinical psychopathic traits positively related to a stronger increase in SC, irrespective of the type of compassion induction. This positive relation between a stronger increase in SC and psychopathy total and callousness was more pronounced after the SC induction, rather than after the OC induction. Psychopathic traits did not differentially influence changes in OC. One implication of this study is that high psychopathic and callousness traits predispose to profit extra from targeting SC. Furthermore, psychopathic traits do not hinder increasing compassion for others. These findings suggest that compassion is a promising intervention to improve the wellbeing of people with elevated subclinical psychopathic traits and those around them. Although further research is needed to assess the impact of compassion on anger and aggression specifically, and on clinical psychopathy, the current study suggests that both SC and OC may be useful intervention targets in case of elevated psychopathic traits.

Who Are Black Lives Matter Activists? Niche Realization in a Multimovement Environment

Within the context of a social movement, a niche is a set of its supporters’ characteristics that define the movement’s location in a multidimensional space. Niches may clearly separate movements from one another or niches may overlap. This article examines the realization of an activist niche by Black Lives Matter (BLM), which has become one of the most prominent movements of the early twenty-first century. It draws on surveys of 3,860 activists conducted in Washington, DC, in 2017 and 2018, and 393 surveys of activists participating in the March for Racial Justice in five cities in 2017. The results show that BLM activists formed a niche along five dimensions. First, BLM activists have a greater-than-average commitment to intersectional activism than do comparable activists in other movements. Second, they use social media more regularly for political purposes than do their peers working on other causes, which helps the movement operate in a decentralized fashion. Third, they are less satisfied with how democracy is practiced in the United States. Fourth, they are more likely to acknowledge justifications for using violence for political purposes. Fifth, they report having experienced high levels of anger in conjunction with politics.

Mechanisms Linking Masculine Discrepancy Stress and the Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among Men in the United States.

Although studies show that masculine discrepancy stress (i.e., the intrapsychic strain associated with failing to meet internalized masculine ideals) is associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, little is known about the processes underlying this association. There may be other social psychological constructs at play that explain this relationship further. The present study uses recently collected data from a national survey of men living in the United States (n = 711) to formally test whether the effects of discrepancy stress on three different forms of IPV perpetration are mediated by anger, self-esteem, and perceived powerlessness. We find that discrepancy stress is directly associated with higher levels of anger, lower levels self-esteem, a sense of powerlessness, and a greater odds of perpetrating any physical IPV and severe physical IPV resulting in injuries, but not sexual IPV perpetration in our sample of men. Our mediation analyses confirms that masculine discrepancy stress is indirectly associated with perpetrating all three forms of IPV through the mechanism of anger. Self-esteem and perceived powerlessness are not supported as mediators. These findings add to our understanding of the link between masculinity and violence perpetration and can inform IPV reduction interventions. Gender transformative interventions that reduce discrepancy stress among men by shifting men’s adherence to traditional masculine norms, and that integrate anger management strategies, should be explored in future research.

Characterising Australians who have high levels of anger towards Islam and Muslims

This article reveals the characteristics and demographics of non-Muslim Australians who express levels of anger towards Muslims and Islam. Using data from a 2018 national social survey of a random, stratified sample of Australians, we identify key demographic characteristics amongst those expressing above-average degrees of anger towards Muslims and the religion of Islam, separately. We identify the proportion of different typologies of people who hold anger towards Islam and Muslims. We aim to establish which combinations of demographic and personal characteristics are most strongly associated with the expression of anger so that policy and interventions targeted at reducing this emotion might be effectively directed. We draw on the literature about Muslimophobia and Islamophobia, along with key studies that have examined attitudes towards Islam and Muslims in Australia and elsewhere. Our findings are relevant to organisations and government bodies in Australia, with implications for policy and social cohesion programs.

Emotions, Stress and Coping among Healthcare Workers in a Reproductive Medicine Unit during the First and Second COVID-19 Lockdowns.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health has been well documented in the last two years; however, little is known regarding HCWs working in specific healthcare fields. During two subsequent periods of national lockdown in Italy (June–July 2020, T1, and November–December 2020, T2), a total sample of 47 HCWs working in a reproductive medicine hospital unit completed an ad hoc questionnaire for assessing emotional reactions to the pandemic, stress symptoms, and ways of coping. Moderate–high levels of anger and sadness were experienced by 65.9% and 68.1% of the HCWs, respectively, while moderate–high levels of anxiety and fear were experienced by 51.1% and 56.8%, respectively. Higher stress symptoms experienced by HCWs were hypervigilance, avoidance of thoughts and memories, and tiredness/low energy. At T2, levels of hypervigilance, irritability, intrusive thoughts, and detachment were higher than at T1, while avoidance of external triggers decreased. Moderate–high levels of anxiety resulted significantly associated with several symptoms of stress: irritability/fearfulness, depression/hopelessness, tiredness/low energy, problems with concentration, and intrusive thoughts. Regarding coping strategies, HCWs tended to adopt more problem-focused coping (e.g., contributing to improving a situation) and this tendency was higher at T2. Overall findings suggest a risk for the persistence of stress symptoms and, therefore, a risk for a chronic course, which might interfere with the global quality of mental health at work and the care provided to patients. Clinical implications highlight the relevance of implementing support programs for this category of HCWs focused on the elaboration of negative emotions and on fostering adaptive coping strategies.

Multilevel analysis of sleep quality and anger in emergency medical service workers

ObjectivePoor sleep quality characterizes the emergency medical service (EMS) profession. Anger is particularly affected by sleep disturbance and may be related to sleep quality at both between- and within-person levels, yet this has never been examined. The current study performed a multilevel analysis of the relationship between sleep quality and anger among EMS workers. DesignEcological momentary assessment ParticipantsSeventy-nine EMS workers employed at an emergency medical service provider in Central New York. MeasurementsParticipants completed 8 daily assessments that inquired about sleep quality and anger. ResultsEMS workers who typically experienced poorer sleep quality reported greater anger levels; for instance, workers who routinely experienced poor sleep quality reported anger levels that were 18%-35% higher compared to workers receiving fair sleep quality. Regardless of their typical sleep quality, days when workers experienced poorer sleep than usual was characterized by higher levels of anger: on a day when a worker experienced poorer sleep quality than usual for them, their anger levels were 5% higher on that day regardless of their typical sleep quality. ConclusionsEMS workers regularly experiencing poor sleep quality experience more anger. However, even workers who typically have better sleep quality experience anger elevations following poor sleep. These findings suggest that interventions targeting both between- and within-person factors impacting sleep may be important for addressing sleep quality's influence on anger in the EMS profession.

Differences in Driving Anger among Professional Drivers: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Public transport systems have a vital role in achieving sustainable mobility goals, diminishing reliance on private individual transport and improving overall public health. Despite that, transport operators are often in situations that require them to cope with complex working conditions that lead to negative emotions such as anger. The current study represents a segment of the permanent global research agenda that seeks to devise and test a psychometric scale for measuring driving anger in professional drivers. The present research is one of the first attempts to examine the factorial validity and the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the broadly utilized Driving Anger Scale (DAS) in three culturally different countries within the Western Balkans region. The respondents (N = 1054) were taxi, bus and truck drivers between 19 and 75 years of age. The results pertaining to confirmatory factor analysis showed that there were adequate fit statistics for the specified six-dimensional measurement model of the DAS. The measurement invariance testing showed that the meaning and psychometric performance of driving anger and its facets are equivalent across countries and types of professional drivers. Furthermore, the results showed that driving anger facets had positive correlations with dysfunctional ways of expressing anger and negative correlations with the form of the prosocial anger expression. In addition, the results revealed that taxi drivers displayed considerably higher levels of anger while driving and aggressive driving than truck and bus drivers. Overall, this study replicates and extends the accumulated knowledge of previous investigations, suggesting that the original DAS remains a reliable and stable instrument for measuring driving anger in day-to-day driving conditions.