The forgotten emotion: an interpretative phenomenological analysis into the lived experience of anger in young men

This dissertation explores the lived experience of problematic anger in young men. Qualitative phenomenological research was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a sample of six male participants between the ages of 20-25 years. The accounts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and three main themes were identified. Theme one explores how anger initially stirs within the participants, impacting their sense of agency and their bodily feelings and sensations. Theme two illuminates how anger impacts the participant’s changing self-concept, a loss of awareness and control, and the issue of responsibility for actions taken. Theme three highlights how the participants attempt to regain control of themselves and return to a state of calm and composure. The study seeks to contribute to the paucity of research into the lived-experience of anger in young men. Findings suggest that anger is an intensely dynamic experience that unfolds with an increasing impact on young men’s ability to retain control over their sense of self as experienced in time, space, in their bodies and inter-relationally. The study recommends that continued research be undertaken into anger through the lens of these four areas, often referred to as the ‘existentials’.