Examined relation of emotional regulation strategies to angry affect during a frustration task in a sample of low-income boys. Found that shifting attention away from sources of frustration and seeking information about situation constraints were associated with decreased anger, and secure attachment and positive maternal control correlated with…

Data on 11 samples of 1,012 toddlers used to construct and validate the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (TBAQ) revealed that the component of negative affectivity (anger proneness and fearfulness) were independent, and item analysis suggested that shyness and other fears were independent as well. (MDM)

Administered measures of authoritarianism, collectivism, warmth, anger, attributions for children's misbehavior, and parental feelings of control over failure to Egyptian- and Anglo-Canadians. Egyptians were higher on authoritarianism, collectivism, and anger. Men were higher on perceived control over failure. The best predictors of authoritarian…

This study examined relations of reactive versus proactive aggression to second-graders' anger after losing in a board game to a cheating confederate. Found that reactive aggression, but not proactive aggression, was positively related to skin conductance reactivity and observed angry nonverbal behaviors, both at an aggregated level and in terms…

Two studies investigated children's responsiveness to an adult's negative emotions (anger, sadness, and pain). The studies also evaluated effects of adult scaffolding (labeling and explaining negative emotions, and requesting help). In the first study, subjects were 55 preschool children between the ages of 33 and 56 months. During individual play…

Research suggests that mothers interacting with disruptive children tend to experience greater negative affect (NA) and less parental confidence. Because children with externalizing disorders can be quite oppositional and rejecting, involvement in the parental role can lead to a sense of learned helplessness that can exacerbate anxious feelings.…

Parents who abuse their children are found to lack adequate knowledge of child development and child rearing, and to exhibit a tendency toward more negative and less positive parent-child interactions and a tendency for anger responses to occur in every day child rearing situations. The Institute for Mental Health Initiatives (IMHI) pilot tested a…

Offers suggestions for parents in dealing with a young child's anger when it manifests itself as hitting. Suggestions focus on impulse control and include the following: (1) describe appropriate behavior; (2) show and teach self-control; (3) uncover reasons for anger; (4) prevent out-of-control behavior; (5) calming techniques; (6) and controls…

Presents four articles on children's anger in preschool, chronic parental anger, and the teacher's role in identifying and defusing anger: (1) "'I'm bery, bery cwoss!' Understanding Children's Anger" (Marie D. Hammer); (2) "Parental Anger: Causes, Triggers, and Strategies To Help" (Roberta J. Wilburn); (3) "The Language of Anger: The Words that…

Two studies examined children's and adolescents' attitudes toward aggression. Found that boys viewed physical aggression as more hurtful than social aggression and girls rated social aggression as more hurtful. Girls rated an aggressor as more angry than did boys. Middle and high school participants viewed social aggression as indicating more…

Describes the negative effects of anger and exposure to violence for male children in South Africa. Discusses the need for multiple interventions that are both individual- and environmental-centered. Offers detailed recommendations for effective culturally relevant psychoeducational policy initiatives and optimal anger replacement strategies for…

Sociologists and psychologists have shown increasing interest in moral emotions such as pride, shame, and guilt, including their developmental role. While these emotions have an important part in normal development, the chronically shame-prone person has feelings of worthlessness, incompetence, and helplessness; a guilt-prone person dwells on…

Examined relation of different types of negative emotion and regulation and control to 55- to 97-month-olds' internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Found that children with externalizing problems, compared to children with internalizing problems and nondisordered children, were more prone to anger, impulsivity, and low regulation.…

This study examined the relationship of nonverbal encoding and decoding skills to the level of exposure to television. Subjects were children in second through sixth grade. Three nonverbal skills (decoding, spontaneous encoding, and posed encoding) were assessed for each of five emotions: anger, disgust, fear or surprise, happiness, and sadness.…

Children's anger presents challenges to teachers committed to constructive, ethical, and effective child guidance. This Digest explores what is known about the components of children's anger, factors contributing to understanding and managing anger, and the ways teachers can guide children's expressions of anger. Anger is believed to have three…