Gender Differences, Anger Expression, and Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

Research has established the influence of serum cholesterol and anger management style as cardiovascular risk factors. However, mixed and sometimes contradictory results have created uncertainty with respect to contributions of anger. Some incongruities may be accounted for on the basis of gender differences since a number of studies have employed male samples rather than female samples or mixed samples. The present study examined both gender and anger management style in relation to cardiovascular risk. One hundred three (72 men and 31 women) midlevel executives completed questionnaires and a blood draw during a week long, succession training program within a large international organization. Gender, anger expression, and anger expressed outward were significant predictors for levels of high-density lipids, low-density lipids/very low-density lipids, and triglycerides, and cardiovascular risk ratios. Results replicate and extend previous research. Anger held inward and anger control were significant for men but not women, contrary to earlier gender-specific findings.

Anger Proneness, Gender, and the Risk of Heart Failure

“…No increased risk of the incidence of heart failure was observed among women with high, as compared to low, trait anger. This observation is consistent with the results of the few existing studies which have examined gender-specific effects of anger on the risk of cardiovascular disease 10, 17, 36, 37 . Results of those studies suggest a stronger harmful effect of anger on coronary heart disease events among men, as compared to women, perhaps reflecting the predominance of outward expression of anger among men (anger-out) and the extent to which this anger coping style may be associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease.…”

Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease

“…186 Thus, economic, social, and physical environment factors appear to contribute to chronic negative psychological states, which may result in dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system 187 and associated increased blood pressure, greater adiposity, and insulin resistance (Biological Mechanisms section); increased likelihood of unhealthy behaviors (Behavioral Mechanisms section); additional chronic life stress [188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195][196] ; and the development and progression of CVD. Research in this area is continuing, [197][198][199][200] and inclusion of racial/ethnic and socioeconomically diverse populations in this research will be critical.…”

Anger arousal and behavioral anger regulation in everyday life among people with chronic low back pain: Relationships with spouse responses and negative affect.

“…In addition, a handful of studies has documented sex differences in the degree to which anger regulation affects the physical health of patients (intrapersonal pathway; Doster, Purdum, Martin, Goven, & Moorefield, 2009; Hogan & Linden, 2005; Suarez, 2006) and their interpersonal function (Julkunen et al, 2009). Indeed, Julkunen and colleagues (2009) found that among female cancer patients, anger inhibition was related negatively to male spouse support, but male patients’ anger inhibition was not related significantly to female spouse support.…”