Anger Test – Do You Have Anger Management Issues

Basic information

Statements:24
Duration:3–6 minutes
Type:Self-assessment Quiz
Corresponding author:Deen Mohd
Publishing year:2023
Seminal paper:Measuring Anger Responses: Development and Validation of the Deenz Anger Response Scale (DARI-24) [Preprint]

Anger Test is also available in the following languages:

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Anger quiz is not designed to make a diagnosis of anger disorder. Participation in this quiz is completely anonymous and no data is collected or stored for research purposes. This quiz has been adopted from the preliminary version of Deenz Anger Response Scale (DARS-24) used to access various dimensions of anger by accessing behaviors and attitudes. For further information read our Privacy & Terms.

Anger issues and anger disorder are two related concepts but are not the same. Anger issues refer to difficulties in managing anger and on the other hand anger disorder is known as intermittent explosive disorder (IED) it is a mental health condition.

Anger is an emotional response to a perceived threat, pain or provocation and it plays a significant role in our lives. Over the years understanding how individuals typically respond to and handle their anger has evolved. People experience and express anger differently. For instance, some may use passive-aggressive behavior to express anger indirectly, while others might become defensive during arguments. Recognizing these patterns helps us understand how people react to anger triggers and how they can learn better ways to handle and show their anger.

The main purpose of the development of the Deenz Anger Response Scale (DARI-24) is to measure the inclination toward anger disorder by assessing the behaviors and attitudes. Below is the computerized version of the scale, based on 24 items and the 10-point scale. For each statement, you need to indicate your level of agreement.

Blame: People who tend to habitually blame others for their anger or frustration may find it difficult to acknowledge and address the emotions that contribute to anger. Blaming others and holding someone else responsible for their problems or mistakes indicate that there is an issue in managing anger. They tend to blame others to avoid responsibility, point fingers, and make excuses instead of looking for a solution.

Impatience: It is normal to feel frustration when things do now work or happen quickly. People who lack patience, and feel agitated by delays or obstacles may indicate a close tie to anger management issues. People who feel agitated when things are not working as expected or not happening quickly, make impulsive decisions or shortcuts as a coping mechanism.

Defensiveness: It is a normal part of life to feel defensive when we feel threatened. People with anger management issues tend to become defensive during conflicts or disagreements. They may react aggressively and impulsively to protect themselves from perceived threats or criticism. They feel the need to protect themselves or justify their actions in response.

Passive-aggression: Some people do not express anger directly and express it through subtle actions or comments. People who tend to avoid confrontation and express their feelings covertly tend to use passive-aggressive tactics such as silent treatments, sarcasm, or procrastination. These behaviors are often rooted in unresolved anger and can be manifestations of underlying anger management issues.

Escalation: Escalation occurs when conflicts or disagreements become more intense or heated over time. People who struggle to regulate their anger, tend to escalate rapidly. For some people, a small argument may turn into a big fight and these behaviors may indicate underlying issues with anger management.

Revenge: Revenge is when someone wants to get back at someone for something they did. The desire for revenge is often fueled by unresolved anger. In anger management, these types of behaviors are often seen as harmful and counterproductive responses to feeling angry or wronged. People with anger management issues do not want to seek constructive solutions and address underlying issues.

Intimidation: People with anger management issues often use them to control or manipulate others. They may use aggressive behaviors to assert power over others. From a psychological perspective, it is a maladaptive coping mechanism.

Disrespect: Disrespect is when you don’t think about how others feel or what they need. It’s like not caring about their opinions or treating them badly. When someone is disrespectful, they might ignore what others say, not care about their rights, or act rudely towards them. This kind of behavior usually comes from being angry about something that hasn’t been sorted out. It can make relationships hard and cause fights because no one likes being treated badly or ignored.

References

  1. Fettich, K. C., McCloskey, M. S., Look, A. E., & Coccaro, E. F. (2014). Emotion regulation deficits in intermittent explosive disorder. Aggressive Behavior, 41(1), 25-33. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21566
  2. Deffenbacher, J. L., Oetting, E. R., Lynch, R. S., & Morris, C. D. (1996). The expression of anger and its consequences. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34(7), 575-590. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(96)00018-6