Whether in Politics or Relationships, Anger Is Harmful

Political campaigns tend to fuel anger. However, from the national stage to personal relationships, conflict, and unresolved issues can trigger angry outbursts and simmering rage.

The late professor, Charles Spielberger, Ph.D., specialized in the study of anger. In this American Psychological Association report, he noted that anger “is accompanied by physical and biological changes; when you get angry, your heart rate and blood pressure go up, as do the levels of your energy hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.” (APA, 2023)

With Politics, Beware of Contagious Anger

With regard to anger, the concept of “affect linkage” was presented in the Political Research Quarterly in 2022. This “occurs when a person’s emotional state of mind changes to match the emotions displayed by someone else.”

The research team conducted an online experiment surveying some 1,400 people across the political spectrum. They then presented a series of mock stories about a political debate. Their findings?

“Exposure to an angry in-party politician significantly increases the amount of anger, disgust, and outrage expressed by co-rank-and-file partisans.” (Stapleton and Dawkins, 2022)

To save yourself from getting caught up in negative rhetoric, turn off the news and simply read the words rather than seeing and sensing the rage of politicians. They might be spouting accurate or inaccurate information in a way that angers you.

In Relationships, Forgiveness May Be Key to Quelling Anger

Karen Lee Swartz, M.D., practicing psychiatrist and clinical programs director of the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, says:

"If someone is stuck in an angry state, what they’re essentially doing is being in a state of adrenaline. And some of the negative health consequences of not forgiving or being stuck there or somewhere else."

Although many physicians have written about forgiveness, Swartz explains the concept of forgiveness training in four simple steps, "a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques."

1. Identify what the problems are.
2. Work on relaxation techniques.
3. Challenge your responses.
4. Change your thoughts from negative to positive.

On a personal level, identifying the problem and seeking a solution is important to one’s health. If discussed calmly, discussing problems and seeking a solution is possible. It depends upon willingness. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What feelings do I associate with the person who created this situation—e.g., hurt, disappointment,
• What is it that I would like to say?
• What is it that I want the person to hear regarding my feelings?
• What is the point that I’d like to get across?
• What kind of response do I want from the other person?
• How can I confront without being confrontational?

Explain your concern to your partner and how much you value the relationship. Give yourselves a time limit to discuss the issues. If you both are at a standstill at the end of that period, make another talking date to resolve the issues. Also, consider forgiving each other and moving forward, at least until your next meeting.

Negative and Positive Responses to Anger

Despite what we know about the negative consequences of anger, ironically, anger can trigger a negative and positive response within society. According to Tara White et al. in Frontiers in Psychiatry,

“Anger encourages action by individuals and groups that can have positive or negative consequences. Violence and aggression motivated by anger are worldwide problems with major sociological and economic impacts. However, anger can also motivate positive, prosocial action in response to social injustice.”

What does positive action mean in terms of relationships? When a relationship is in trouble, one of the partners can take conciliatory action to calm emotions.

With anger and forgiveness, the important questions are these: Would you rather live with your anger, even if justified, and risk your health and relationship? Or should you choose to forgive, let go, and move on to a healthier, more peaceful place?

Anger Essential Reads

The Buddha, Twain, and You: Wisdom for Taming Your Temper

The Best Ways to Manage Anger

Copyright 2024 Rita Watson, MPH