Anger and Interpersonal Relationships: Social Life in Adolescence

Abstract

Around 1.6 million people across the world die due to violent and anger related acts according to World Health Organization (WHO). One out of five people have problems in their interpersonal relationships due to their anger feelings and expressions. Thus it can be stated that anger control and management is required for the improvisation of relations and life in general. The present study investigates the relationship of anger and interpersonal relationships. Moreover it looks into the gender differences on anger and interpersonal relations. Samples of 200 adolescents (100 male and 100 female students of preparatory year program) were selected from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. The age range of the participants was 16 to 19 years. Aggression Questionnaire (ASQ) (Arnold Buss and Mark Perry, 1992) and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (Cohen, Mermestein, & Kmarck, 1985) were used to measure anger and interpersonal relationship respectively.  Correlation analysis revealed that there is a negative relationship between anger and interpersonal relationship. T-test results indicate that males exhibit more anger and anger related behaviors than females. No significant gender differences were found on interpersonal relationships. Implications for the improvement of educational and counseling programs for the management and control of anger among the adolescents are also discussed.