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A prospective study of trait anger and PTSD symptoms in police
Author(s) -
Meffert Susan M.,
Metzler Thomas J.,
HennHaase Clare,
McCaslin Shan,
Inslicht Sabra,
Chemtob Claude,
Neylan Thomas,
Marmar Charles R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20350
Subject(s) - anger , psychology , distress , trait , clinical psychology , posttraumatic stress , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
It is unknown whether anger is a risk factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) symptoms, arises as a consequence of PTSD, or both. Two hypotheses were tested in 180 police recruits: Greater trait anger during training will predict greater PTSD symptoms at one year; greater PTSD symptoms at one year will predict greater state anger at one year. Both hypotheses were confirmed, suggesting that trait anger is a risk factor for PTSD symptoms, but that PTSD symptoms are also associated with an increase of state anger. Increased anger is important not only because of the impact it has on individual distress and physical health, but also because of its potential public health impact.