The proposed research will investigate the effects of self-reported anger expression style on cerebrally lateralized physiological responses to a neuropsychological stressor and a painful stimulus. Specifically, this research examined changes in systole and grip strength in response to a verbal fluency task, a figural fluency task and exposure to a cold pressor. Significant group by trial interaction effects were found for mean number of perseverative errors on neuropsychological measures (F(1,54) = 10.89, p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure following administration of a verbal fluency measure(F(1,54) = 5.86, p < 0.05), and non-verbal fluency measure (F(1,54) = 13.68, p<.001), heart rate following administration of verbal (F(1,54) = 5.86, p < 0.05), and non verbal fluency measures (F(1,54) = 13.68, p<.001), and grip strength following exposure to the cold pressor (F(1,54) = 13.69, p < 0.001). Results are discussed in terms of functional cerebral systems and potential implications for physiological models of anger. / Ph. D.

Currently, researchers are more likely to use mindfulness techniques. These practices have a beneficial effect on anger perception, experience, understanding, expression, and anger control. There has not yet been research on the influence of mindfulness on anger management in the Czech Republic. This thesis concerns the question, of whether it is possible to better manage and understand anger with the help of an 8week mindfulness course (MBSR). The literature-overview part summarizes current knowledge about mindfulness and anger, possible mechanisms of mindfulness on anger and methods of measuring anger. The research part includes the translation of the self-assessment inventory of anger STAXI-2 into the Czech language and the verification of its psychometric properties. It also covers the pilot use of STAXI-2 supplemented by FFMQ-15 in quantitatively focused research. The research design consists of a pretest-posttest control-group design plus a third measurement after one month. The experimental group participates in the eight-week mindfulness course, whereas the active control group participates in walks. The research is complemented by a qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews. The main result of the research part is that completing an eight-week mindfulness course can lead to a...

In Primary Aldosteronism (PAL) excessive amounts of aldosterone cause sodium and water retention and, in many individuals, this leads to moderate to severely high blood pressure. Although the chemistry and physiology are increasingly well understood, including the outcomes of treatment on physical health, there has been no systematic study of the psychological dimension of PAL. Anecdotally, patients exhibit symptoms such as angry outbursts, irritability, anxiety and defensiveness, and partners of these patients sometimes mention poor anger control and brittle or unpredictable moods. This thesis reports a systematic study of anger and anxiety among patients undergoing treatment for PAL. Eighty-three patients were recruited over an 11-month period to a prospective, pre-post design study to determine if treatment was associated with change in psychological state. Participants completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) questionnaires. Adrenal Vein Sampling confirmed overproduction of aldosterone in one or both adrenal glands. Patients with Aldosterone Producing Adenoma (APA) were offered adrenalectomy. As per usual treatment protocols, patients with Bilateral Adrenal Hyperplasia (BAH) were prescribed spironolactone or amiloride depending predominantly on severity of blood pressure and potassium levels. Post-test questionnaires were completed after 6-8 months. Analysis was by mixed design (between-within subjects) ANOVA. Participant numbers in the adrenalectomy group fell far short of expectations. Fourteen past patients who had undergone unilateral adrenalectomy completed a retrospective semi-structured questionnaire. This qualitative data was analysed to identify themes similar to quantitative data. At baseline, 'non-completers' (ie those who did not complete the post-test; n=19), were significantly more angry than 'completers' (n=50) in State Anger (p< .01), Trait Anger (p< .05) and Anger Expression Index (p< .001). Trait Anxiety was also higher (p< .05), as was Psychological Distress (p< .05). Among those who participated at both interviews, there was small but statistically significant adverse treatment effect with higher scores for State Anger (p< .05), and Feeling Angry (p< .05). However for Trait Anger (p< .01), and 2 of its 3 sub-scales Angry Temperament (p< .05) and Angry Reaction (p< .01) there was a slight to moderate decrease in negative affect with treatment. Psychological Distress scores also improved (p< .05). Across all ANOVAs, there were no significant interaction effects, suggesting that any treatment effect was equivalent for the two drugs. Qualitatively collected data elucidated participants' changes in approach to life and relationships since adrenalectomy. Themes that emerged in the data included improved ability to cope with external stress, better control of emotions, more relaxed relationships and attitude to work, and a greater vitality and quality of life. Generally the comments were consistent with the drug treatments; there was noticeable benefit, including perceived better anger control and less anxiety. Positive psychological effects of treatment observed in the two drug groups were triangulated with data from a qualitative study. The combined evidence suggests that when excess circulating aldosterone is reduced (adrenalectomy), or blocked (spironolactone), or aldosterone's salt and water retaining effects are minimised (amiloride), then nervous irritability and its subsequent psycho-behavioural manifestations are reduced. The effect however is slight and the conclusions are weakened by an apparent attrition bias, and the absence of a control group. Implications for further research are discussed.