| This study explored the differences in cardiovascular reactivity and behavioral expression of anger in a group of violent men. This research follows from the violence literature that suggests that violent offenders are not a homogenous group and can be distinguished on the basis of their personalities, psychopathology, severity, and generality of violence. It has been recognized in the anger literature that people have characteristic ways of expressing their anger including directing anger outwardly or suppressing anger (Spielberger et al., 1985). Participants consisted of males who were mostly court-referred for anger management. They were divided into groups based on their trait anger and anger expression style. Self-report, a structured interview, and cardiovascular measures were used. The results supported that this group of violent men differed in their trait anger and anger expression style. The cardiovascular and behavioral measures failed to distinguish between the groups. DP and Latency were significantly related to Anger-In. A group of participants high in Anger Experience and high in Anger-In and Anger-Out was identified. These participants tended to be high in trait anger and exhibited higher levels of psychopathology as assessed by the MMPI, compared to the other groups. |
