How to Regulate Anger? Using Expression, Problem Solving, and Distraction Strategies

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of anger regulation on emotion regulation strategies applied through writing tasks. In this respect, a scenario that would trigger the anger was created. Levels of anger regulation were then evaluated by examining the effects of expression, problem-solving, and distraction strategies applied through writing tasks. The change in anger regulation was evaluated in terms of positive affect, negative affect, valence, and arousal values of emotion. In addition, the levels of effectiveness of these emotion regulation strategies were compared with each other. The sample of the study consisted of 152 female university students (for age; M =19.71, SD = 1.38). The Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Emotion and Arousal Assessment, and Emotional Valence Assessment Form were used as data collection tools. It was found that all three emotion regulation strategies had significant effects on negative affect and arousal. The most effective strategy for negative affect was distraction (M =14.44, SD = 4.83), while the least effective was expression (M =27.38, SD = 8.01). Finally, the most effective strategies for arousal were distraction and expression with problem-solving, and there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of these two strategies (M =3.40, SD = 0.80; M =3.54, SD = 1.09, respectively), while the least effective strategy was expression (M =4.11, SD = 1.07).

Keywords

• anger
• emotion regulation strategies
• writing task