In this study the relationship between different components of anger coping and self-esteem was examined across gender and age groups. Two selfreported measures of anger and one of self-esteem were administered to 144 participants from different parts of India. Computation of Pearson’s correlation showed that self-esteem was not significantly associated with anger control-in and assertion anger coping styles among any groups of gender and age. However, lower self-esteem was significantly correlated with higher anger expression-out, anger expression-in, direct anger-out, social support seeking, rumination, and diffusion styles of anger coping among some groups, but not all. Higher anger control-out was correlated with higher self-esteem only among the female group, and higher avoidance anger coping style tended to correlate with higher self-esteem only among the younger people. The present findings suggest important health implications of self-esteem since different aspects of anger are related to both minor and major health problems in many earlier studies.
Journal of Indian Health Psychology Vol. 2, No. 1, September, 2007