A further examination of the relation between trait anger and alcohol-related aggression: the role of anger control

Abstract

Background: Trait anger has been identified as a risk factor for alcohol-related aggression. However, to develop a more accurate risk profile, it is necessary to examine the interactive relations between trait anger and other key personality variables. The present study examined the influence of anger control on alcohol-related aggression.

Methods: Participants were 164 social drinking men age 21-35 years old. Trait anger and anger control were assessed with the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger, 1996). Following consumption of an alcoholic or placebo beverage, participants competed in an aggression paradigm in which electric shocks were received from and administered to a fictitious opponent during a competitive reaction time task. Aggression was operationalized as shock intensities administered to the opponent under conditions of low and high provocation.

Results: Analyses indicated that trait anger significantly predicted aggression, but only among men who were intoxicated and reported low levels of anger control.

Conclusions: The present findings suggest that anger control may be a crucial risk factor in determining whether one's anger proneness will lead to intoxicated aggression following provocation.