High Anger Expression Exacerbates the Relationship Between Age and Metabolic Syndrome

[Emily]

http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/09/26/geronb.gbt092.full

• Jennifer Morozink Boylan and
• Carol D. Ryff

High Anger Expression Exacerbates the Relationship Between Age and Metabolic Syndrome J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci first published online September 28, 2013 doi:10.1093/geronb/gbt092 Objective. Building on prior work linking high anger expression to poor health, this cross-sectional study addressed whether anger expression exacerbated age-related risk for metabolic syndrome in a national sample of adults, known as MIDUS (Midlife in the United States).

Method. Respondents reported anger expression via survey assessments and completed an overnight clinic visit.

Results. Unadjusted metabolic syndrome prevalence was 40.6%. Men, less educated individuals, and those who reported not getting regular physical activity were at significantly higher risk for metabolic syndrome. Anger expression did not predict higher risk for metabolic syndrome in main effects models, but it moderated the relationship between age and metabolic syndrome. Age-associated risk for metabolic syndrome was significant only for adults with high anger expression.

Discussion. Among older adults, anger expression predicted higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Older adults reporting low anger expression had metabolic syndrome rates comparable to younger adults. Results highlight that failing to show the frequently observed decline in anger expression with age may have pernicious health concomitants.

Full text at link. This study was done in the US and another study indicates the relationship could be different in other cultures, (or is genetically linked in a broad way?)

http://pss.sagepub.com/content/26/2/211.short

• Shinobu Kitayama,
• Jiyoung Park,
• Jennifer Morozink Boylan,
• Yuri Miyamoto,
• Cynthia S. Levine,
• Hazel Rose Markus,
• Mayumi Karasawa,
• Christopher L. Coe,
• Norito Kawakami,
• Gayle D. Love,
• and Carol D. Ryff

Expression of Anger and Ill Health in Two Cultures: An Examination of Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk Psychological Science February 2015 26: 211-220, first published on January 6, 2015 doi:10.1177/0956797614561268
[h=2]Abstract[/h] Expression of anger is associated with biological health risk (BHR) in Western cultures. However, recent evidence documenting culturally divergent functions of the expression of anger suggests that its link with BHR may be moderated by culture. To test this prediction, we examined large probability samples of both Japanese and Americans using multiple measures of BHR, including pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) and indices of cardiovascular malfunction (systolic blood pressure and ratio of total to HDL cholesterol). We found that the link between greater expression of anger and increased BHR was robust for Americans. As predicted, however, this association was diametrically reversed for Japanese, among whom greater expression of anger predicted reduced BHR. These patterns were unique to the expressive facet of anger and remained after we controlled for age, gender, health status, health behaviors, social status, and reported experience of negative emotions. Implications for sociocultural modulation of bio-physiological responses are discussed.