The effects of trait reappraisal and suppression on anger and blood pressure in response to provocation

Given the many negative consequences of unrestrained anger, understanding successful anger regulation is of critical importance. The present study investigated the effects of two common emotion regulation strategies, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, on self-reported anger and blood pressure. Fifty undergraduate women were insulted by a fictitious participant. Those high in trait reappraisal showed attenuated anger and blood pressure in response to the provocation. These relationships persisted even when controlling for negative emotionality. The results suggest that changing the habitual way in which individuals respond to anger-inducing events could be an important component of anger regulation interventions.