Home Program

Anger Management Group Treatment Model

Topic Areas
Scientific Rating
Child Welfare Relevance
Anger Management Treatment (Adult)
NR  — Not able to be Rated
Low

About This Program

Target Population: Adults with difficulty managing their anger including those who are substance users, have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or have mental health problems

Program Overview

The Anger Management Group Treatment Model is a combined cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach that employs relaxation, cognitive, and communication skills interventions. Participants draw on these different interventions to develop individualized anger control plans. Key components of the anger management treatment are monitoring anger through the use of cues and developing cognitive-behavioral strategies in the form of anger control plans.


Program Goals

The goals of the Anger Management Group Treatment Model are:

  • Decrease anger
  • Decrease aggression

Essential Components

The essential components of the Anger Management Group Treatment Model include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral treatment
  • Group treatment with 6-8 participants per group

Program Delivery

Adult Services

Anger Management Group Treatment Model directly provides services to adults (regardless of whether they are parents or caregivers) and addresses the following:

  • Anger, aggression
Services Involve Family/Support Structures:

This program involves the family or other support systems in the individual's treatment: A review of the anger management workbook used in the treatment is given to family members.

Recommended Intensity:

1 meeting a week, 1.5 hour group length (but the treatment can also be offered as an individual treatment)

Recommended Duration:

12 weeks for groups, shorter duration if offered in individual treatment

Delivery Settings

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

  • Community Agency
  • Hospital
  • Outpatient Clinic
  • Residential Care Facility

Homework

Anger Management Group Treatment Model includes a homework component:

The anger management treatment has a workbook with homework assignments.

Languages

Anger Management Group Treatment Model has materials available in languages other than English:

Korean, Spanish

For information on which materials are available in these languages, please check on the program's website or contact the program representative (contact information is listed at the bottom of this page).

Resources Needed to Run Program

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

A group room and preferably a PowerPoint projector. The workbooks and the treatment manuals are available through the SAMHSA clearinghouse (800-729-6686).

Education and Training

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

Masters or PhD level of training

Education and Training Resources

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program , and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:
Training is obtained:

Varies depending on needs of organization

Number of days/hours:

1-2 days

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Reilly, P. M., & Shopshire, M. S. (2000). Anger management group treatment for cocaine dependence: Preliminary outcomes. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 26(2), 161-177.

Type of Study: One group pretest-posttest design
Number of Participants: 91

Population:

  • Age — 18 years and older
  • Race/Ethnicity — 58% African American, 31% Caucasian, 6% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 2% Other
  • Gender — 59 Males and 32 Females
  • Status — Participants were men and women with anger control problems who were receiving substance abuse treatment at two clinics.

Location/Institution: Two clinics in San Francisco, CA

Summary: (To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations)
The study examined the Anger Management Group Treatment Model delivered in conjunction with two substance abuse treatment programs. Levels of anger, negative affect, and anger control were measured at baseline, weekly during treatment, and at 3-month posttreatment follow-up. Participants completed self-report measures of affect and violence at weeks 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24. Measures used included the Total Mood Disturbance scale of the Profile of Mood States (POMS), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), and the Assaultive Behavior Survey (ABS). Results indicate that levels of anger decreased and anger control increased between baseline and the end of treatment. End-of-treatment changes were maintained at follow-up. Study limitations included lack of a control or comparison group, lack of randomization, and the high drop-out rate.

Length of postintervention follow-up: 3 months.

Morland, L., Mauldin, P. D., Rosen, C., Frueh, C., Reilly, P. M., Qimei, H., & Shore, J. (2010). Telemedicine for anger management treatment with a rural PTSD population: A randomized noninferiority trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 71(7), 855-863.

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 125

Population:

  • Age — Mean=55 years
  • Race/Ethnicity — 33% Caucasian, 33% Pacific Islander, 27% Asian, and 7% Other
  • Gender — 100% Male
  • Status — Participants were rural combat veterans with PTSD.

Location/Institution: Three Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics

Summary: (To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations)
The study evaluated the effectiveness of the Anger Management Group Treatment Model delivered in two different formats. Participants were randomly assigned to receive anger management training with a therapist in-person or via video conferencing. Measures used included the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory -2 (STAXI-2) and the Novaco Anger Scale (NAS-T) at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and at 3 and 6-month follow-ups. Results indicate that participants in both groups showed significant and clinically meaningful reductions in anger symptoms. No significant between-group differences were noted except higher group therapy alliance was reported for the in-person group. Limitations of the study include the lack of a no treatment or treatment as usual control group.

Length of postintervention follow-up: 6 months.

Additional References

Reilly, P. M., & Shopshire, M. S. (2002). Anger management for substance abuse and mental health clients: A cognitive behavioral therapy manual. Retrieved from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website: http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA12-4213/SMA12-4213.pdf

Reilly, P. M., Shopshire, M. S., Durazzo, T. C., & Campbell, T. A. (2002). The Anger management for substance abuse and mental health clients: Participant workbook.  Retrieved from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website: http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA12-4210/SMA12-4210.pdf

Contact Information

Patrick Reilly, PhD
Title: Director, Mental Health
Agency/Affiliation: Santa Rosa VA
Email:
Phone: (707) 569-2362

Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed by CEBC: June 2015

Date Program Content Last Reviewed by Program Staff: May 2011

Date Program Originally Loaded onto CEBC: May 2011