Why are the Maltese so angry and anxious?

According to an international study carried out in more than 120 countries, the Maltese rank as the angriest people in the EU while a large part of the population is also worried, stressed and in pain.

Anger is actually not all that bad. Its benefits have made it an indispensable tool for the survival of our species.

It makes us aware of injustices, enhances emotional intelligence, motivates us to solve problems, drives us towards goals, protects values and beliefs, improves negotiation, and allows us to overcome threats.

Our ancestors used it, quite literally, to stay alive.

Why anger is triggered

People get angry for different reasons, and people experience anger with diverging intensities.

Some have a higher genetic predisposition to it. Others feel angrier as a result of their upbringing or their experience in the educational system. People who experienced childhood trauma are more likely to get angry often.

In some cases, anger is exacerbated by the intake of alcohol and drugs. Heat is probably a major culprit, and in all cases, the environment plays a crucial role in anger triggers.

Nigel Camilleri, president of the Maltese Association of Psychiatry, said the Maltese...