Effects of Anger on Interpretation Bias, Negative Beliefs about Uncertainty, and Worry Catastrophizing: An Experimental Study

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms are associated with elevated anger; however the nature of these associations is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that anger perpetuates GAD symptoms and associated cognitive vulnerabilities by examining the effects of laboratory-induced anger on worry, negative interpretative style, and negative beliefs about uncertainty. Participants were randomized to an anger induction (n = 43) or a control condition (n = 34). An interpretation bias task, questionnaire items assessing beliefs about uncertainty, and a worry task were administered following the manipulation. Participants in the anger condition reported greater increases in negative interpretative style and in the belief that uncertainty is unfair and spoils everything than those in the control condition; however no group differences were found related to worry. Results provide partial support for the notion that anger contributes to cognitive vulnerabilities underlying GAD, namely negative interpretative style and specific beliefs about uncertainty.