Anger in former East German political prisoners: Relationship to posttraumatic stress reactions and social support

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Matthias Schützwohl - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Andreas Maercker - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

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.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)483-489
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume188
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 2000
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 10972566

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas