It is well known that anger accompanied by aggression can be reduced by acknowledging and accepting its existence and expressing it in a moderate manner (Birnbaum, 1980). On the other hand, bottling up anger without expressing it can lead to self-destructive behavior or verbal or physical aggression toward close others, such as partners or children. In the disaster-stricken areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the excessive expression of anger toward oneself and others has become a medium- to long-term problem. In particular, immediately after the disaster, some parents expressed strong anger toward support workers, such as childcare providers and government officials. These parents appeared to harbor significant anxiety regarding their children’s well-being and the environment surrounding their families. It is possible that behind this intense anger toward others lies anxiety that the individual is unable to recognize. Is it not necessary to recognize and accept not only anger but also a variety of emotions, including anxiety, at an early stage when the intensity of anger is still low? In this presentation, based on the implementation of the abuse prevention and parenting support program developed by the American Psychological Association, “Adults and Children Together Against Violence: Raising Safe Kids” (ACT-RSK; Japanese version by Nishizawa and Naoi, 2015), we report on the anger exhibited by parents in disaster-affected areas and how to respond to such anger.。
Michiaki., Shibata, Reika., Kwamura, and, Youko., Komatsu.
