Boiling Points: Profiling Individual Differences in Frustration Triggers and Affective Responses

Frustration is a universally experienced yet understudied emotional state, frequently examined in isolated, controlled laboratory environments that neglect the intricate interaction of internal and situational factors. This exploratory research extends beyond such isolated settings by investigating how individual differences, including personality traits, behavioral tendencies, and situational triggers, influence the onset, severity, and reactions to frustration. A total of 145 participants (100 women), aged between 14 and 66 years, completed the Frustration Induction Task (FIT), which was designed to elicit frustration through factors such as time constraints, disruptive notifications, ambiguous feedback, and keyboard manipulation. Based on participants' self-reported experiences of frustration, three distinct response profiles were identified: High Frustration, Mid Frustration, and Low Frustration. The findings suggest that individuals exhibiting high levels of neuroticism, emotional dysregulation, and discomfort intolerance are more predisposed to the High Frustration profile. Conversely, higher emotional intelligence and robust personal standards of perfectionism serve as protective factors against frustration. Situational triggers, particularly time pressure, notably intensify frustration responses, especially among individuals with low impulse control and low discomfort tolerance. These results provide a more comprehensive understanding of individual differences in frustration responses and emphasize the importance of developing tailored emotion regulation strategies in both clinical settings and high-stress environments.