OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of expression ways and traits of anger emotion on autonomic nerve in the emotion recovery stage.

METHODSThe 48 healthy undergraduate students were recruited as subjects, who were assigned to four groups, i.e., anger-out of high trait group, anger-in of high trait group, anger-out of low trait group, anger-in of low trait group, 12 in each group. The changes of autonomic nerve in emotion recovery stage [mainly including heart rate (HR), finger pulse volume (FPV), heart rate variability (HRV), and galvanic skin response (GSR)] were observed in an experimental paradigm processed dynamically by emotion induction (by watching movie clips) and emotion regulation (by phraseology chewing and regulating body reaction to anger).

RESULTSIn the emotion recovery stage all increased data of vegetative reactions decreased in the four groups. The decrease extent of HR, FPV, and GSR was lower in the anger-in groups than that in the anger-out groups (P < 0.05). The HRV showed a decreasing trend, but with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The decrease extent of HR was lower in the low-anger groups than in the high-anger group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth expression ways and traits of anger exerted influence on the autonomic nerve in the emotion recovery stage. The former influenced more broadly. The influence of anger-in on the autonomic nerve would be more sustainable.