Citation

Flemke K, Allen KR. J. Marital Fam. Ther. 2008; 34(1): 58-74.

Affiliation

Programs of Couples and Family Therapy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. kf53@drexel.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1752-0606.2008.00053.x

PMID

18199181

Abstract

We conducted in-depth interviews with 37 incarcerated women on their experience of rage towards their intimate partner. Participants used specific criteria to distinguish their experience of rage from anger. Rage is described as an overwhelming experience with particular physiological and cognitive changes that takes control of a woman's emotions and actions. In contrast, anger is described as a controllable emotion with a specific termination point. Motivations for acting violently in rage with an intimate partner are described and discussed. Findings suggest a primary trigger for experiencing rage is feeling threatened and feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

Language: en