Anger in former East German political prisoners: relationship to posttraumatic stress reactions and social support.
Anger is a salient symptom of traumatized victims and a major sign for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the causes for the increased level of anger remain almost unknown. The present study investigates the interrelationship of anger, posttraumatic stress reactions, and social support in a group of former East German political prisoners (N = 91). Assessments included the German version of the Anxiety Disorders Schedule (DIPS) as well as measures of anger (STAXI), posttraumatic stress reactions (IES-R), and social support (SSQ). As expected, participants reported a high level of anger. Most measures of anger, posttraumatic stress reactions, and social support were significantly correlated. Within structural equation modeling, trait-anger was shown to be directly activated by the experience of chronic posttraumatic intrusions. Social support appeared to lessen the level of anger. The results confirm findings from studies on other traumatic events and provide additional information on the relationship between posttraumatic anger and social support. The findings indicate that treatments for PTSD might be effectively supplemented by addressing anger and social support.
Schützwohl
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, Dresden University of Technology, Germany.
Maercker
A
A
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000786:Anger; D001143:Arousal; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005859:Germany, East; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011057:Politics; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy