Anger expression and lipid concentrations

We used 2 different strategies to examine the relation between anger expression and lipid concentrations in 116 middle-aged men. Using the common analytic method used in the literature, the group crossing approach, we examined whether Anger-In. Anger-Out, and their interaction were related to lipids. Regression analyses revealed that Anger-In and Anger-Out were marginally related to total cholesterol. These associations disappeared after controlling for hostility, anger, and anxiety. Using a new intraindividual difference approach, we determined individuals' relative dominance of Anger-In and Anger-Out and examined linear and quadratic associations with lipids. Regression analyses revealed the quadratic was related to both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), indicating that individuals who almost always express their anger or almost never express their anger had both elevated total cholesterol and LDL-c. The curvilinear association with total cholesterol persisted even after controlling for hostility, anger, and anxiety.