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Coping with anger: gender differences and emotional intelligence
Author
Hou, Joy Sze Mei
Supervisor
Wong, Shyh Shin
Abstract
This study seeks to investigate the relationship between the anger coping strategies and self-reported trait anger of adolescents. Besides, the current research also examined how gender and emotional intelligence relates to the anger and anger coping strategies of adolescents. Participants were 238 students from a polytechnic in Singapore who completed the Trait Anger Scale (TAS), Behavioral Anger Response Questionnaire III (BARQ III), as well as the Wong and Law EI Scale (WLEIS).
Results indicated that the maladaptive Direct Anger-out and Rumination coping styles were associated with higher levels of self-reported trait anger in adolescents, while Assertion was linked to lower anger levels. The significant predictors of trait anger were Direct Anger-out, Rumination and Assertion. Moreover, the present research also found that male and female adolescents did not differ in their self-reported trait anger. However, male adolescents were more likely than females to use the Direct Anger-out strategy, while females had a higher tendency to use Social Support-seeking and Diffusion to cope with their anger. In addition, results also suggested that adolescents with higher self-reported emotional intelligence tended to have lower trait anger. The Direct Anger-out strategy was significantly related to lower levels of emotional intelligence, while Assertion, Social Support-seeking and Avoidance were significantly related to higher emotional intelligence. Further, the dimensions of emotional intelligence that significantly predicted trait anger were Use of Emotion and Regulation of Emotion. In view of these findings, the development of prevention and intervention programs that teach anger coping skills and enhance the development of emotional intelligence may play an important role in the reduction of anger in adolescents.
Results indicated that the maladaptive Direct Anger-out and Rumination coping styles were associated with higher levels of self-reported trait anger in adolescents, while Assertion was linked to lower anger levels. The significant predictors of trait anger were Direct Anger-out, Rumination and Assertion. Moreover, the present research also found that male and female adolescents did not differ in their self-reported trait anger. However, male adolescents were more likely than females to use the Direct Anger-out strategy, while females had a higher tendency to use Social Support-seeking and Diffusion to cope with their anger. In addition, results also suggested that adolescents with higher self-reported emotional intelligence tended to have lower trait anger. The Direct Anger-out strategy was significantly related to lower levels of emotional intelligence, while Assertion, Social Support-seeking and Avoidance were significantly related to higher emotional intelligence. Further, the dimensions of emotional intelligence that significantly predicted trait anger were Use of Emotion and Regulation of Emotion. In view of these findings, the development of prevention and intervention programs that teach anger coping skills and enhance the development of emotional intelligence may play an important role in the reduction of anger in adolescents.
Date Issued
2010
Call Number
BF724.3.A55 Hou
Date Submitted
2010