Association between Sadness and Anger Intensity and Variability to Stress and Health Symptoms in Old Age: The Role of Perceived Control

Emotion theories postulate that sadness and anger exert unique consequences on older adults as control declines. Intensity and variability of emotion responses to daily stressors showed distinct associations. Low control ameliorated adverse effects of intense sadness on stress and health-related symptoms, whereas high control reduced symptoms associated with anger variability.