Trait Displaced Aggression, Physical Health, and Life Satisfaction: a Process Model

Aggressive individuals are at increased risk of poor health, early mortality, mental health problems, and decreased life satisfaction. However, recent research suggests that trait aggression is not a unitary phenomenon. To date, most personality research on the topic has focused on direct aggression. Individuals high in trait direct aggression tend to respond to provocation with immediate anger and retaliation. By contrast, those high in trait displaced aggression tend to respond to provocations with initial restraint, yet eventually “take out” their anger on innocent individuals. Trait displaced aggression is a multifaceted personality dimension consisting of angry rumination, revenge planning, and aggression against undeserving targets. The present research was the first to investigate the effects of trait displaced aggression on physical and mental health-related variables. Specifically, more than 800 Internet respondents completed measures of direct and displaced aggression, physical health, life satisfaction, stress, and risky behaviour. Trait displaced aggression predicted negative physical and mental health outcomes as well as decreased life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling tested a process model whereby these effects occur. Results showed that perceived stress and avoidant provocation-related coping strategies mediated the relationship between trait displaced aggression and self-reported physical health symptoms while perceived stress mediated the effect of trait displaced aggression on life satisfaction.