Relationships between Exercise Behavior and Anger Control of Hospital Nurses

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationships between nurses' exercise behavior and their anger control using a cross-sectional descriptive design. METHODS: The participants were 290 nurses in South Korea, who completed a survey questionnaire on general characteristics, the stage of exercise behavior change, and anger emotion, evaluated using state anger and anger expression method. RESULTS: Those who engaged in regular exercise behavior exhibited lower levels of state anger and higher levels of anger control than those who did not. In the prediction model, a significant association of exercise behavior with anger control was found. The levels of anger control decreased as the age, education level, and work experiences of nurses decreased. Anger control scores were significantly higher than anger suppression scores and anger expression-out scores in the hospital nurses. CONCLUSION: Engaging in regular exercise may help nurses manage anger emotions better.