Citation

Martin RC, Coyier KR, VanSistine LM, Schroeder KL. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 2013; 16(2): 119-122.

Affiliation

Department of Human Development, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311-7001, USA. martinr@uwgb.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/cyber.2012.0130

PMID

23249241

Abstract

Despite evidence that anger is routinely expressed over the Internet via weblogs, social networking Web sites, and other venues, no published research has explored the way in which anger is experienced and expressed online. Consequently, we know very little about how anger is experienced in such settings. Two studies were conducted to explore how people experience and express their anger on a particular type of Web site, known as a rant-site. Study 1 surveyed rant-site visitors to better understand the perceived value of the Web sites and found that while they become relaxed immediately after posting, they also experience more anger than most and express their anger in maladaptive ways. Study 2 explored the emotional impact of reading and writing rants and found that for most participants, reading and writing rants were associated with negative shifts in mood.

Language: en