Anger and Indirect Relational Aggression in Women: The Puzzling Effect of Moderate Provocation

Monika Dominiak-Kochanek; Joanna Rajchert; Karolina Konopka; Marta Rutkowska

doi:10.18290/rpsych2025.0001

Published : 2025-09-23

No. Online First

Anger and Indirect Relational Aggression in Women: The Puzzling Effect of Moderate Provocation

Monika Dominiak-Kochanek

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4936-4070

Joanna Rajchert

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4687-7337

Karolina Konopka

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9575-5398

Marta Rutkowska

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7763-5093

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/rpsych2025.0001

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the effect of trait-anger on indirect relational aggression in women, under provocation of varying strength. Female undergraduates (N = 174) were assigned to either a moderate provocation, a strong provocation, or a control condition. The results showed that under the moderate provocation condition, trait-anger contributed negatively to relational aggression, whereas the same effect under the strong provocation condition was positive. Also, the effect of trait anger on relational aggression mediated through post-provocation anger was positive and significant only in moderate provocation. The results corresponded with the theoretical assumption that moderate provocation condition, in contrast to strong provocation, reduces the variance in behavior as the effect of the situation and maximizes the role of personality traits in determining behavioral responses. Overall, findings provide evidence on the great complexity of women’s anger and aggression suggesting that apart from retaliation, women use non-aggressive strategies to manage and control their anger while facing provocation situation.

Keywords:

indirect relational aggression, provocation, dispositional anger, situational anger, women’s anger

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