Abstract

This study was designed to test the effects of anger-in tendency and problem-solving on anger experiences and blood pressure within the anger-arousing social interactional context. Fifty two female college students who had either a high or a low level of anger-in tendency were randomly assigned in either problem-solving condition or no problem-solving condition. Blood pressure and anger experiences were repeatedly measured during baseline, anger-arousing, problem-solving and recovery phase. Major results of this study were as follows: First, subjects who had a high level of anger-in tendency experienced higher anger than subjects who had a low level of anger-in tendency during baseline, anger-arousing, problem-solving and recovery phase. Second, subjects in a non-problem-solving condition exhibited higher blood pressure than subjects in a problem-solving condition during a problem-solving period and subjects of a problem-solving condition showed slower pace in blood pressure recovery than subjects in a non-problem-solving condition. Third, in a non-problem-solving condition, subjects who had a high level of anger-in tendency exhibited higher anger and blood pressure than subjects who had a low level of anger-in tendency after a problem-solving period. In conclusion, this study suggests that problem-solving condition can moderate the effects of anger-in tendency on the anger experience and blood pressure. It also suggests that it is useful to distinguish between anger-in tendency as a trait compared to state anger-in behavior for dissolving the problem of anger-in (Spielberger) and anger-out (Siegman) controversy in CHD and high blood pressure.