Anger expression and life stress among blacks: their role in physical health

This study examines the relationship between anger expression and life stress in a nationally representative sample of black adults. Recent research of mostly white subjects has shown that anger-hostility, one of the components of the Type A behavioral pattern, is an important predictor of health problems. The findings of the present inquiry indicate that anger-hostility is an important predictor of life stress, and that people with higher levels of anger conflict are more likely to experience negative life events. Moreover, negative life events and anger are shown to be independent predictors of health problems among blacks. The implications of these results for future studies of the health of black Americans are discussed.