Internalized and Externalized Anger in Adolescent Suicide Attempters

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Abstract
Anger can play an important role in adolescent suicidal behavior However, there is disagreement over the relative importance of internalized versus externalized anger The present study evaluated mode of anger expression in 104 adolescent suicide attempters and 323 high school students. The suicide attempters also completed measures of depression and hopelessness. Results indicated that suicidal adolescents displayed an increased likelihood of experiencing anger, reported significantly higher levels of both internalized and externalized anger, and displayed reduced tendencies for impulse control. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses found that the general inclination to experience anger was most closely related to externalized anger and poor impulse control. Among the adolescent suicide attempters, depression and hopelessness were related to internalized but not externalized anger Thus, it may be useful to assess the mode of anger expression when evaluating adolescents for suicide risk.

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