Relation of Anger and Anger Expressions in Adolescents: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Problem Solving Ability

Recent studies have investigated anger or anger-related problems in adolescents from various perspectives. However, understanding of anger expression types or the role of mediating variables in relation to anger and anger expressions have been disregarded. The purpose of this research was to understand the relationships between adolescents’ anger, problem solving ability, and three types of anger expressions (anger-in, anger-out, anger-control) and to focus on the mediator function of problem-solving ability. Participants comprised 596 adolescents (283 males and 313 females). Anger was significantly related to all three types of anger expressions. Adolescents who showed high anger levels tended to indicate high anger-in and anger-out expressions but low anger-control expression, while controlling for age and gender. The findings also provided evidence for the mediator role of problem-solving ability on the relationship between anger and anger-control expression. From the results of this study suggestions and limitations were also discussed.