Abstract

This paper discusses the differences between adults with and without children and adolescents (N = 686) about the appraisal of anger, emotional regulation, strategies used and the time it takes to regulate that emotion. It also analyses the correlation between difficulties in emotion regulation and psychological wellbeing. For the analysis of the results, we used a complementary methodology. Data indicate that interpersonal relationships (especially between parents and children) influence the regulation of anger and time it takes to regulate that emotion. Parents associate appraisal of anger with their children, making them more aware of the need to regulate such situations. They show differences in the use of cognitive reappraisal strategies and need less time to regulate anger. Adults without children and adolescents show a greater disparity in the causes but also show the influence of significant others in the appraisal of these situations. Adolescents use more suppression strategies and take longer to regulate anger.