Anger Management Group Treatment Model
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
Logic Model
The program representative did not provide information about a Logic Model for Anger Management Group Treatment Model.
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):
- Hospital
- Outpatient Clinic
- Community-based Agency / Organization / Provider
- Group or Residential Care
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).
Manuals and Training
Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications
Masters or PhD level of training
Manual Information
There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.
Training Information
There is training available for this program.
Training Contact:
- Patrick Reilly, PhD, Director of Mental Health
Santa Rosa VA
patrick.reilly@va.gov
Training Type/Location:
Varies depending on needs of organization
Number of days/hours:
1-2 days
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research
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 basic study design, measures, results, and 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 basic study design, measures, results, and 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. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Anger-Management-for-Substance-Abuse-and-Mental-Health-Clients-A-Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Manual/PEP19-02-01-001
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. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Anger-Management-for-Substance-Use-Disorder-and-Mental-Health-Clients-Participant-Workbook/PEP19-02-01-002
Contact Information
- Patrick Reilly, PhD
- Title: Director, Mental Health
- Agency/Affiliation: Santa Rosa VA
- Email: patrick.reilly@va.gov
- 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
