Women's Anger Management Improves in Midlife, Study Finds
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Women become better at managing anger as they age, particularly during midlife—a period often marked by hormonal shifts and emotional challenges—a study found.
The research, published in the journal Menopause, found that both chronological age and reproductive age play a key role in reducing various forms of anger in women between the ages of 35 and 55.
The study analyzed data from more than 500 women and found that several forms of anger—including anger temperament (a general tendency to become angry), anger reactions (responses to specific provocations) and aggressive expression of anger—all significantly decreased with age. Researchers found that hostility also diminished over time.
Close-up of a mature woman smiling with her eyes closed.
Close-up of a mature woman smiling with her eyes closed.
Jack Hollingsworth
While previous research has focused primarily on depression during menopause, little has been known about how women experience other intense emotions, such as anger, through the transition.
This new analysis fills that gap by examining how anger traits evolve across both time and reproductive stages.
Notably, reproductive-aging stages had a similar impact. Women entering the late-reproductive stage and beyond showed marked reductions in these types of anger.
The only anger measure unaffected by age was suppressed anger—that which is felt but not expressed.
These findings suggest that as women move through midlife, they may gain greater emotional regulation and resilience—offering a more hopeful narrative around aging and emotional wellbeing.
The emotional aspects of menopause have often been overlooked, despite their potential impact on both mental and physical health.
Anger and hostility in midlife women have previously been linked to elevated blood pressure, heart disease, and even thicker artery walls—a predictor of atherosclerosis.
Moreover, women experiencing high anger traits during the menopause transition have also been found to be more prone to severe depressive symptoms, especially those undergoing hormone therapy.
"The mental health side of the menopause transition can have a significant effect on a woman's personal and professional life," said Dr. Monica Christmas—associate medical director for The Menopause Society, which published the study—in a statement.
She continued, "Educating women about the possibility of mood changes during these vulnerable windows and actively managing symptoms can have a profound effect on overall quality of life and health."
The study's authors call for further research into how anger plays out in women's day-to-day lives during midlife, especially as it relates to stress, caregiving, work and health.
Such data could inform better emotional regulation strategies and anger management interventions tailored specifically to women.
Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about menopause? Let us know via health@newsweek.com.
Reference
Woods, N. F., Pike, K., & Mitchell, E. S. (2024). Anger, aging, and reproductive aging: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Menopause. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002587
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