Background and objectives

Problem anger is highly destructive, and is one of the most commonly reported issues in military and veteran populations. The goal of this study was to use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to explore and characterize moment-to-moment experiences of problem anger in a sample of Australian veterans.

Methods

Sixty veterans with problem anger (measured on the Dimensions of Anger Reactions Scale) completed measures of anger and anger rumination, before and after a 10-day EMA period which assessed the frequency, intensity, and expression of momentary anger experiences.

Results

Findings showed that 75% of respondents indicated some level of anger during EMA monitoring. In 25% of cases, anger was reported as severe. Moreover, anger was expressed verbally in 43% of cases, and expressed physically in 27% of cases. While anger fluctuated frequently during the day, more severe anger was more likely to be reported in the late afternoon/early evening. Problem anger symptoms decreased significantly over time, from pre-EMA to post EMA (p < .001).

Limitations

The generalizability of findings is limited to a predominantly male sample, with low levels of risk of harm or violence. The study was also limited in the selection of outcome variables assessed and the lack of a control group; other momentary factors could influence experience of problem anger and provide further explanation of study results.

Conclusions

EMA is a valuable assessment tool for individuals with problem anger, and the potential for EMA as an intervention needs to be explored further.

中文翻译：

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使用生态瞬时评估协议来了解退伍军人的问题愤怒

背景和目标

问题愤怒具有很强的破坏性，是军人和退伍军人中最常见的问题之一。本研究的目的是使用生态瞬时评估 (EMA) 来探索和描述澳大利亚退伍军人样本中问题愤怒的瞬间体验。

方法

60 名有问题愤怒的退伍军人（根据愤怒反应量表测量）在为期 10 天的 EMA 期之前和之后完成了愤怒和愤怒反刍的测量，该期评估了短暂愤怒经历的频率、强度和表达。

结果

调查结果显示，75% 的受访者在 EMA 监测期间表示有一定程度的愤怒。在 25% 的案例中，愤怒被报告为严重的。此外，43% 的案例以口头表达愤怒，27% 的案例以肢体表达愤怒。虽然愤怒在白天经常波动，但更严重的愤怒更有可能在下午晚些时候/傍晚报告。从 EMA 前到 EMA 后，问题愤怒症状随时间显着减少 (p < .001)。

限制

调查结果的普遍性仅限于以男性为主的样本，受到伤害或暴力的风险较低。该研究在选择评估的结果变量和缺乏对照组方面也受到限制；其他瞬时因素可能会影响对问题愤怒的体验，并为研究结果提供进一步的解释。

结论

对于有问题愤怒的人来说，EMA 是一种有价值的评估工具，需要进一步探索 EMA 作为干预措施的潜力。