Anger and children’s health: Differentiating role of inward versus outward expressed anger on sleep, medical service utilization, and mental health

Katherine M. Kidwell, Tori R. Van Dyk, Kassie D. Guenther, Timothy D. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine the differential associations between children’s anger expression styles and selected health constructs. Method: Measures assessed sleep problems, medical service utilization, and mental health in 125 children (M = 9.48 years). Results: Anger expression styles predicted health outcomes in a multivariate model. As hypothesized, anger-out significantly predicted sleep problems, number of medical visits, externalizing problems, and internalizing problems. Anger-in was not significantly related to any health outcome measure. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of anger expression styles for health, as they are differentially related to impairments. Clinicians are urged to recognize anger problems to broadly impact children’s health.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)342-358
Number of pages17
Journalchildren's health care
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

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