Mood Emot.  2023 Nov;21(3):86-94. 10.35986/me.2023.21.3.86.

The Relationship Between Anger and Suicidality

• Kim JH
• Ju G
• Lee SI
• Shin CJ
• Son JW
• Kim S
• Lee J
• Chung S

• KMID: 2552400
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2023.21.3.86

Abstract

Background
This study explored the effect of anger on suicidality by dividing participants into a group with major depressive disorder (MDD) and a non-MDD group, and also investigated whether the anger expression affects suicidality in participants without clinical depression.
Methods
A total of 1,015 residents responded to anonymous questionnaires in our survey. The survey included scales, such as the Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Korean State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Participants were categorized into the MDD and non-MDD groups or depression group and non-depression group following the PHQ-9 score. Logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the association between anger and suicidality in the non-MDD and non-MDD groups.
Results
Anger suppression and higher PHQ-9 appeared as risk factors for suicidality in the non-MDD group. The depression level in the non-MDD group mediates the relationship between anger suppression and suicidality. Higher PHQ-9 was no longer a risk factor and anger suppression remains a risk factor in the non-depression group.
Conclusion
Not only depression evaluation, but also anger evaluation is important when assessing suicidality. Implementing anger management programs for people with high anger suppression can help lower suicidality in Korean society, where negative emotional expression is suppressed.

Keyword

Anger; Depression; Suicide; STAXI