Getting Angry About the Numbers: Anger Stats and Beyond

As we come the end of of Anger Awareness Week, you may be wondering why we need an one. It’s a blessing for anyone who isn’t affected by anger, but where it exists – and it does exist widely around the world – it has a significant impact on people’s lives. From the simply irritating to abusive behaviour and murder, the extremes of anger should not be ignored. If left unchecked, even the simply irritating can escalate into something more concerning.

It is salutary to think that in the UK there are not many NHS funded anger management programmes that individuals can subscribe to. Where one is offered, there is usually a waiting list. The majority must therefore seek more immediate help through private individuals and organisations.

Do anger management programmes work? That is the question on many people’s lips. The simple answer is yes. The Mental Health Organisation published a report in 2008 called “Boiling Point” in which it reviewed 50 studies looking at anger management programmes in adults and 40 focussed on children and adolescents. It thankfully concluded that they are effective when applied to all age ranges.

So how widespread is anger? The report answered that question too and took a look at the prevalence of anger in the community, coming up with some salutary statistics:

• 32% of people polled said they had a close friend or family member who had trouble controlling their anger.
• 12% said that they had trouble controlling their own anger.
• 28% said that they worried about how angry they sometimes felt.
• 20% said that they had ended a relationship or friendship with someone because of how they behaved when they were angry. 
• 64% felt that people in general are getting angrier.
• 84% believed that people should be encouraged to seek help if they have problems with anger. 
• However, 58% of people stated that they didn’t know where to seek help if they needed help with an anger problem.
• The above might explain why only 13% of those who said they had trouble controlling their anger sought help for their anger problems.
• There are striking generational differences. Older people had fewer friends or family members with anger-related problems than younger people.

The British Anger Management Association added to the statistics, showing that:

• 45% of UK adults regularly lose their temper at work.
• 33% of Britons are not on speaking terms with their neighbours.
• 1 in 20 have had a fight with the person living next door.
• UK airlines reported 1,486 significant or serious acts of air rage in a year a 59% increase over the previous year.
• More than 80% of UK drivers say they have been involved in road rage incidents.
• When facing computer problems, 50% of Britons have reacted by hitting their PC, hurling parts of it, screaming or abusing their colleagues.

Anger can be effectively managed. It takes time and effort, but it is worth it in the end. For more information on how you or your company can effectively manage anger, call us on 0800 999 8353, info@lcch.co.uk

Or to talk to someone in your area:

Scotland: +44 141 333 0878

Southwest England: +44 7761 773563

Midlands and Southeast England: +44 203 603 8535

Northern England: +44 7812 196 798

Southeast Asia: + 603 7960 6439

Portugal: +351 933 713 223

www.lcch.co.uk