Examining the moderating effects of anger expression style on the association between facets of trait anger and cardiovascular responses to acute psychological stress

Objective

The current study aims to (1) examine the association between measures of trait anger (i.e., anger temperament and anger reaction) and cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress, and (2) to identify if anger expression styles moderate the association between trait anger and cardiovascular reactivity.

Methods

A sample of 669 participants completed a standardized cardiovascular reactivity protocol consisting of resting baseline and stressor phase (mental arithmetic and Stroop), with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) monitored throughout. Participants also completed measures of trait anger including anger temperament and anger reaction, as well as measures assessing anger expression styles including anger-in, anger-out and anger control.

Results

Anger temperament was significantly associated with blunted cardiovascular reactivity, as well as increased levels of subjective stress. Moreover, the association between anger temperament and cardiovascular reactivity was significantly moderated by anger-in, with associations observed only amongst those who reported an increased tendency to suppress their anger. The association between anger reaction and cardiovascular reactivity was moderated by both anger-out and anger control.

Conclusion

While blunted cardiovascular responses may be a mechanism linking facets of trait anger to adverse health outcomes, the current findings accentuate the importance of considering expression styles when examining the association between anger experience and cardiovascular reactivity.