Skill 7
Conduct a risk assessment
Consider the potential consequences of expressing anger.

Is the other person unable because of age or mental status to understand and respond effectively to your anger?

Can the other person manage your anger? Sometimes the best response we can make to a child is to overlook a misbehavior that has triggered our anger in the past.

Does the other person have a history of unpredictable violence? Anger management for an abused wife has to take into consideration the risk from her husband.

Is there a power inequity between us and the other person? Managing anger with a boss probably carries more risk than with one's spouse. Anger management in an adult-child relationship should also consider the power inequity between the two individuals. If I am free to discuss my anger with my child, for example, does my child have the same opportunity to express anger toward me?

Next: Skill 8: Tune out provocations