Research published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (February 2008; e-published ahead of print) examined wound healing in 98 healthy adults in relation to anger expression and regulation. Participants completed a series of psychological assessments and then received a standardized minor burn on the forearm. Wound healing was monitored over an eight-day period. Study participants were nonsmokers, did not use prescription medications, did not consume excessive caffeine, and were not significantly under- or overweight.
The investigators reported that individuals who had difficulty controlling anger healed more slowly than those who did not report problems with anger regulation. In contrast, participants who expressed anger openly or those who tended to suppress or internalize anger did not show the same delay in wound healing. The longest healing times were observed in individuals who experienced anger, attempted to control it, but were unsuccessful in doing so.
This group also demonstrated higher cortisol levels. Cortisol, an adrenal hormone associated with stress responses, is known to influence inflammatory and immune processes involved in tissue repair. The authors suggested that difficulty regulating emotional stress responses may affect wound healing through neuroendocrine mechanisms, highlighting a potential link between stress physiology and tissue recovery.
