A longitudinal exploration of the relationship between interpersonal openness and anger rumination

We conducted a longitudinal exploration of the relationship between anger rumination and interpersonal openness, which is an indigenous interpersonal trait in the Chinese cultural context. Participants were 942 undergraduate university students who completed a survey at 2 time points spaced 6 months apart. Structural equation modeling results showed that interpersonal openness at Time 1 negatively predicted anger rumination at Time 2. In addition, the results of hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that after controlling for the Big Five personality traits at Time 1, interpersonal openness at Time 1 negatively predicted anger rumination at Time 2. These results provide new evidence to suggest that interpersonal openness may be an interpersonal trait that is related to anger rumination. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.