Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between COVID-19 anger experiences and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and mental health problems. For this purpose, we conducted an online survey from November to Decemver 2020 and analyzed data from 198 participants. Twenty-seven percent of the participants reported an increase in anger after COVID-19, and the results of content analysis of the anger-inducing factors showed that the key factors were “restriction of daily life due to COVID-19” and “other people’s non-adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures ”. Latent profile analysis identified three latent profiles: functional/ dysfunctional/ low anger expression group, respectively. Participants with physical disorders were more likely to belong to the dysfunctional anger expression group. Participants with a higher level of anger were more likely to be in the dysfunctional anger expression group. Preventive behavior, depression, and suicide risk also differed significantly among the identified profile groups. The low anger expression group showed a higher level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, and the dysfunctional anger expression group showed a higher level of depression and suicide risk. The current results suggest that efforts to promote preventive behaviors and prevent mental health problems may benefit from considering profiles of anger expression.