The relationship between self-esteem and trait anger and anger expression styles in adults

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between self-esteem levels in adult individuals and their continuous anger and anger expression styles. The population of the research comprised adult residents of Istanbul province, with a sample of 361 individuals randomly selected from this population, including 195 females and 166 males. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher utilized a personal information form along with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale developed by Rosenberg to measure self-esteem. Additionally, the "Continuous Anger (SL Anger) and Anger Expression Style (Anger-Style)" scale developed by Spielberger et al. in 1983 was employed to measure continuous anger and anger expression styles. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25 software, incorporating descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and ANOVA. The research findings consistently revealed a significant relationship between self-esteem levels and continuous anger as well as anger expression styles, in line with the formulated hypotheses. Specifically, individuals with low self-esteem (high RSES scores) exhibited higher levels of continuous anger, both inwardly and outwardly directed. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between anger control and high self-esteem (low RSES scores), indicating that individuals with high self-esteem are more proficient in managing their anger. Furthermore, the results of the one-way ANOVA test indicated a significant impact of self-esteem levels on continuous anger and anger expression styles (p<0.05). In conclusion, as self-esteem increases among adults, levels of continuous anger, both inwardly and outwardly directed, decrease, while the ability to control anger increases.