J Korean Acad Nurs.  2005 Aug;35(5):888-895.

Anger and Health Status in Late School-Age Children

• Park YJ
• Park ES
• Kim SJ
• Yang SS
• Shin HJ
• Im HS
• Moon SH

Abstract

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study was designed to identify anger-expression types in late school-age children and investigate the relation between the identified anger-expression types and their health status. METHOD: One thousand twenty seven children in elementary school fifth and sixth grades were recruited from November to December, 2004. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, 2-test, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple comparison test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Three anger-expression types in late school-age children were found; Anger-out/in, Anger-control, and Low anger-expression types. Children frequently using the anger-out/in type among the three types and with a higher state anger reported higher psychosomatic symptoms and depression. Children from a divorced or separated family reported higher state anger. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a specific anger management program needs to be developed for late school-age children with high state anger and frequently using the anger out/in expression type. For understanding the anger level and the anger expression types of Korean school-age children, further research needs to be done with large samples using a randomized sampling method.

Keyword

State anger; Anger expression; Late school-age child; Depression; Psychosomatic symptoms

MeSH Terms

Psychophysiologic Disorders/psychology
Male
Korea
Humans
*Health Status
Female
Family Characteristics
*Depression
Cross-Sectional Studies
*Child Psychology
Child
*Anger