title: Gender-related differences concerning anger expression and interpersonal relationships in a sample of overweight/obese subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity and overweight are relevant public health issues. They are frequently associated with increased disability, enhanced morbidity and mortality and are often comorbid with several psychological/psychiatric conditions. The aim of the present study was to explore gender-related differences concerning anger expression and interpersonal relationships in a sample of overweight/obese subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The convenience sample consisted of 40 overweight/obese subjects (18 women, 22 men) who were administered self-report questionnaires to assess eating disorders (EDI-2), anger levels (STAXI) and self/other perception as a measure of interpersonal relationships (9AP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women had higher scores on the EDI-2 subscales of Bulimia (7.22 vs. 2.20: z=7.61; p<.001), Body Dissatisfaction (15.56 vs. 12.14: z=1.88; p=.03), Interoceptive Awareness (9.89 vs. 5.28: z=4.06; p<.001), Ineffectiveness (11.00 vs 5.22: z=4.91; p <.001) and Perfectionism (6.33 vs. 3.26: z=4.13; p<.001) compared to norms. The overweight/obese men departed from the norms on fewer subscales. Both women and men tended to turn feelings of anger in toward themselves, suppressing their anger. Also, women obtained lower scores for Self Empathy (29.06 vs. 40.15: z = - 2.30; p = .01) and Other Empathy (16.44 vs. 27.10: z =- 2.00; p= .02) whereas overweight/ obese men obtained lower scores for Other Empathy (20.77 vs. 28.47: z=-2.00; p=.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overweight/obese subjects have a tendency to turn feelings of anger inward on to themselves together with impaired interpersonal relationships, especially in women. An adequate clinical assessment in all obese individuals trying to identify the contribution of psychological factors to the perceived distress is critical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Functions, Suicide Prevention Center, Division of Psychiatry, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iliceto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompili
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candilera
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serafini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Girardi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors