The Relationship between Trait Anger, Life Style and Physical Symptoms in Elderly People

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify relationships among trait anger, life styles and physical symptoms in elderly people. Method: The participants were 348 elderly persons over 65 years of age who lived in Seoul, Geonggi Province, South Chungcheong Province and South Jeolla Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive $X^2-test$, t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SPSS win 12.0. Results: Physical symptoms of the participants correlated with trait anger and life style. Trait anger in the elderly people had a significant positive correlation to cardiovascular symptoms. Smoking showed a significantly positive correlation to alcohol drinking and cardiovascular symptoms. Regular diet showed a significantly negative correlation to general symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms. Caffeine intake significantly negative correlation to general symptom and cardiovascular symptom. Conclusion: These results suggested that elderly people with a high degree of trait anger are likely to be high in perceived physical symptoms. Therefore nursing interventions to reduce levels of trait anger and change life style should be provided for elderly people.