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Anger

Unpacking Anger in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

(PS12-3) Unpacking Anger in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Saturday, November 16, 2024
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text: Research has suggested that individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often exhibit intense feelings of anger as a symptom of their PTSD (McHugh et al., 2012). This anger can manifest in various ways, such as irritability and outbursts of rage. Anger in PTSD can be triggered by reminders of the experience and/or associated emotions and may interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. While anger is a common external symptom of PTSD, there is a lack of consistent empirical research examining the essential components of anger in PTSD. The Anger Disorders Scale (ADS) is a self-report that helps identify dysfunctional anger in adults, aiding treatment planning (DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2004). ADS assesses anger-related dysfunction for clinical populations and the ADS subscales measure diagnostic criteria for potential inclusion in future DSM iterations. This study examined whether there is a combination of ADS subscales that can predict the MCMI-IV PTSD scale. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI-IV) measures personality disorders and psychopathology syndromes in adults 18 and older who are receiving psychological treatment or evaluation. The significance of this research lies in unraveling the underscored relationship between anger symptoms and PTSD, shedding light on the importance of addressing anger-related dysfunction in PTSD assessment and treatment. This study involves 401 clinical patients who arrived at the Albert Ellis Institute, a non-profit psychotherapy center, and completed both scales at intake. The multiple regression analyses showed that the ADS subscales significantly predict the MCMI PTSD Scale (F[18, 383\ = 7.788, p < .001, R2= .268) indicating a moderate relationship. Moreover, the subscales of Anger-in, Rumination, Resentment, Suspiciousness, and Revenge from the ADS were components of the significant predictive model (p < .05). These anger components collectively indicate that PTSD involves a combination of internalized anger, persistent and repetitive thinking about the source/target of their anger, feelings of bitterness, and a desire for retaliation, highlighting the extensive emotional and psychological impact of traumatic experiences on individuals’ lives and coping mechanisms. These findings also suggest that PTSD sufferers are more likely to engage in physical aggression (Elbogen et al., 2014). These results emphasize the critical role of anger-related symptoms in PTSD and highlight the necessity of assessment and targeted intervention strategies that address both PTSD and anger dysregulation. This research further provides clinical insight into the interplay between emotional dysregulation and trauma response, paving the way for more effective client-centered treatment. Further research could examine how cultural beliefs about social norms and stigma surrounding mental health may influence the relationship between anger and PTSD across different cultural contexts.