Exploring the causes, experience, consequences, and treatment of irritability, anger, and aggression amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article investigates the distinctions among irritability, anger, and aggression—three often conflated psychological constructs—by examining their causes, experiences, consequences, and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey data from 73 participants, the study found that irritability is primarily triggered by physiological discomfort and occurs more frequently and for longer durations but with moderate intensity, whereas anger and aggression are more often caused by interpersonal factors, with aggression being less frequent but more intense and brief. Participants generally agreed with the study's operational definitions and reported being able to differentiate among the three constructs, noting differences in emotional responses, behavioral tendencies, and management strategies. The findings underscore the importance of treating irritability, anger, and aggression as distinct constructs to improve clinical assessment, diagnosis, and intervention, especially in the context of pandemic-related stress. Limitations include a homogenous, convenience sample primarily from the Pacific Northwest and reliance on self-report data during a unique global event.