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In the study conducted by White, Langer, Yariv, & Welch (2006), the researchers found that the frequency of social comparisons positively predicted destructive emotions and behaviors, such as envy. Self-destructive behaviors have been associated with personality disorders as well as other mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Some of these behaviors form as habits while others become impulse reactions. These self-destructive tendencies form as a coping mechanism for stress or other negative emotions.
Warriors basketball player Draymond Green has a reputation for being a “hothead.” In June, he was suspended after Game 5 of the championship series for flagrant fouls, which may have contributed to the Warriors losing the title. Recently, he made headlines after being arrested for slapping a fan at a bar, an infraction that could incur fines or jail time.
It’s impossible to know what prompted Green to lash out in these situations without getting inside his head. But, if he’s like the many hundreds of people I’ve worked with over my 40 years as an anger management specialist, it’s likely he feels out of control around his anger, and may not even understand its root causes.
Like all emotions, anger serves a purpose, typically alerting us that we are suffering from some form of distress. This is important, because although anger can be uncomfortable mentally and physically, it can also motivate us to address our underlying needs, desires, or perceived threats. It’s unprocessed anger that can lead to conflict, social isolation, problems at work, substance abuse, depression, shame, and even incarceration.