Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-sxzjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-16T20:33:20.735Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An Open Trial of a Comprehensive Anger Treatment Program on an Outpatient Sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2010

J. Ryan Fuller ,
Raymond DiGiuseppe ,
Siobhan O'Leary ,
Tina Fountain  and
Colleen Lang
J. Ryan Fuller*
Affiliation:
New York Behavioral Health and Albert Ellis Institute, USA
Raymond DiGiuseppe
Affiliation:
Albert Ellis Institute and St John's University, New York, USA
Siobhan O'Leary
Affiliation:
Albert Ellis Institute, New York, USA
Tina Fountain
Affiliation:
Albert Ellis Institute, New York, USA
Colleen Lang
Affiliation:
New York Behavioral Health, USA
*
Reprint requests to J. Ryan Fuller, New York Behavioral Health, 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA. E-mail: fuller@NYBhealth.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background: This pilot study was designed to investigate the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral treatment for anger. Method: Twelve (5 men and 7 women) outpatient adults completed 2-hour group sessions for 16 sessions. Participants were diagnosed with 29 Axis I and 34 Axis II disorders with high rates of comorbidity. Empirically supported techniques of skills training, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation were utilized. In this protocol, cognitive restructuring emphasized the use of the ABC model to understand anger episodes and the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) techniques of disputing irrational beliefs and rehearsing rational coping statements, but additional cognitive techniques were used, e.g. self-instructional training (SIT). Skills training included problem-solving and assertiveness. Relaxation training was paced respiration. Motivational interviewing, imaginal exposure with coping, and relapse prevention were also included. Results: Significant improvements were found from pre- to post-treatment on the following measures: the Trait Anger Scale of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-II; and Anger Disorder Scale total scores; idiosyncratic anger measurements of situational intensity and symptom severity; and the Beck Depression Inventory-II; Conclusions: In order to extend the significant research findings of this pilot study, future investigations should involve larger sample sizes, populations drawn from various settings, and contact control groups.

Keywords

Anger managementcognitive behavioral therapyrational emotive behavior therapybehavioral therapybehavioral health
Type
Brief Clinical Reports
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 38 , Issue 4 , July 2010 , pp. 485 - 490
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. text revision). Washington, DC: Author.Google Scholar
Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A. and Brown, G. K. (1996). Beck Depression Inventory 2: Manual. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.Google Scholar
Chemtob, C., Novaco, R., Hamada, R., Gross, D. and Smith, G. (1997). Anger regulation deficits in combat related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 10, 17–26.Google Scholar
Deffenbacher, J. L. (1998). Generalized anxiety and anxiety management training. In Caballo, V. E. (Ed.), International Handbook of Cognitive and Behavioural Treatments for Psychological Disorders (pp. 227–249). Oxford, UK: Pergamon/Elsevier Science.Google Scholar
Deffenbacher, J. L., Dahlen, E. R., Lynch, R. S., Morris, C. D. and Gowensmith, W. N. (2000). An application of Beck's cognitive therapy to general anger reduction. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 24, 689–698.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deffenbacher, J. L., Filetti, L. B., Lynch, R. S., Dahlen, E. R. and Oetting, E. R. (2002). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of high anger drivers. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 895–916.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Deffenbacher, J. L., Huff, M. E., Lynch, R. S., Oetting, E. R. and Salvatore, N. F. (2000). Characteristics and treatment of high-anger drivers. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 5–17.Google Scholar
Deffenbacher, J. L. and McKay, M. (2000). Overcoming Situational and General Anger: a protocol for the treatment of anger based on relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and coping skills training. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.Google Scholar
Del Vecchio, T. and O'Leary, K. D. (2004). Effectiveness of anger treatments for specific anger problems: a meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 15–35.Google Scholar
DiGiuseppe, R. and Tafrate, R. C. (2002). A comprehensive treatment program for the treatment of anger. Psychotherapy, Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 8, 262–271.Google Scholar
DiGiuseppe, R. and Tafrate, R. C. (2003). Anger treatment for adults: a meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10, 70–84.Google Scholar
DiGiuseppe, R. and Tafrate, R. C. (2004). Anger Disorders Scale: manual. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems, Inc.Google Scholar
First, M. B., Spitzer, R. L., Gibbon, M. and Williams, J. B. W. (2002). Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders – Patient Edition. New York: Biometrics Research Department.Google Scholar
First, M. B., Gibbon, M., Spitzer, R. L., Williams, J. B. W. and Benjamin, L. S. (1997). Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.Google Scholar
Grodnitzsky, G. and Tafrate, R C., (2000). Imaginal exposure for anger reduction in adult outpatients: a pilot study. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 31, 259–279.Google Scholar
Horvath, A. O. and Greenberg, L. S. (1989). Development and validation of the Working Alliance Inventory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 36, 223–233.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacobson, N. S. and Truax, P. E. (1991). Clinical significance: a statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 12–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kassinove, H. and Tafrate, R. C. (2004). Anger management: the complete treatment guidebook for practitioners. Atascadero, CA: Impact Publishers Inc.Google Scholar
Lachmund, E., DiGiuseppe, R. and Fuller, J. R. (2005). Clinicians’ diagnosis of a case with anger problems. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 39, 439–447.Google Scholar
Lambert, M. J., Hansen, N. B., Umphress, V., Lunnen, K., Okiishi, J., Burlingame, G. M., Huefner, J. and Reisinger, C. (1996). Administration and Scoring Manual for the OQ 45.2. Stevenson, MD: American Professional Credentialing Services.Google Scholar
Spielberger, C. D. (1999). Manual for the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.Google Scholar
Tafrate, R. C., Kassinove, H. and Dundin, L. (2002). Anger episodes in high and low trait anger community adults. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 1573–1590.Google Scholar
Yalom, I. D. (1985). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (3rd ed.). New York: Basic Books Inc.Google Scholar
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.