Women's Anger: Relationship of Suppression to Blood Pressure

The relationship of anger suppression to blood pressure was examined in a university sample of 210 female staff, faculty, and students 18 to 71 years of age. Most were White and in good or excellent health. The study replicated that of Goldstein et al. (1988) using their method of assessing anger frequency, intensity, and expression at work (or school) and home. With age, body mass index, family history of hypertension, and exercise controlled, higher systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were evident when women suppressed anger at home. Women who had grown up in families that readily showed anger were more likely to do so as adults.