Work pressures lead to high level of ‘computer rage’

Swearing and shouting at the computer, hitting the keyboard and smashing the mouse have become everyday expressions of anger and stress relief for more than half of computer users, according to research presented yesterday at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference.

Dr Charlton, a Bolton University researcher, questioned 126 participants on how frequently they expressed anger at their computer and to provide a written description of one such incident. He found that the majority of people had become angry three or four times each month, and more than 10% reported anger occurring ten times or more.

Overall, around 54% of people had expressed this anger in verbal aggression towards their computing equipment. But 40% of the participants had actually engaged in physical aggression towards the computer.

People reported that anger against computers was most often linked to two triggers – unsatisfactory work progress and time pressures. 

Dr Charlton commented:

“Although the study did not look at health factors, habitual, unrestrained expression of anger is known to be a significant cause of ill health. However, moderate outbursts of anger, in the form of shouting at a computer might actually be beneficial.”