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Does Expressing Anger On Online Rant-Sites Make You Feel Better or Worse?
Mar. 12, 2013 Little is known about the value and emotional consequences of expressing anger on the Internet. Rant-sites provide an outlet for anonymous, angry outbursts. How people feel after reading and writing rants and the effects of this behavior is explored in an article in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
One study assessed whether individuals felt calmer or angrier after ranting on an Internet site, and whether people who frequent rant-sites are more likely to have problems related to anger. The second study evaluated how people reacted emotionally to reading and writing rants onlinewhether they became more or less happy or angry.
The two studies seem to indicate that both reading and writing on rant-sites tend to be unhealthy practices, suggesting persons with maladaptive expression styles, says Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCIA, Editor-in-Chief of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, from the Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, CA. It will be interesting to explore in future studies if this finding extends to other social networking sites as well.
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, via AlphaGalileo.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- Ryan C. Martin, Kelsey Ryan Coyier, Leah M. VanSistine, Kelly L. Schroeder. Anger on the Internet: The Perceived Value of Rant-Sites. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 2013; 16 (2): 119 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0130
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
