The experience, expression, and control of anger in perceived social support

The present study extended Palfai and Hart’s (1997) work on anger expression and perceived social support. One hundred and eighty-nine college student volunteers completed measures of trait anger, anger expression/control, social desirability, and perceived social support. Findings were consistent with previous studies (e.g., Johnson & Greene, 1991; Palfai & Hart, 1997) in that anger suppression, but not aggressive anger expression, was associated with reduced social support. Moreover, hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrated that anger-in predicted perceived social support, independent of social desirability and trait anger. In addition, the ability to manage one’s anger through the use of internal controls (e.g., relaxation, calming down, etc.) was associated with increased perceptions of support. Thus, regardless of one’s propensity to experience angry feelings or tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner, anger suppression and the tendency to cope with anger through effective internal controls predicted perceived social support.