NCJ Number
178382
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: April 1999 Pages: 353-360
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This evaluation report presents preliminary behavioral, social, emotional, and potential economic results of a Colorado parenting and anger management program.
Abstract
Following local and statewide needs assessments, child abuse prevention was identified as the number two critical issue. An effective research-based, preventive education workshop program - - RETHINK Parenting and Anger Management -- was selected for testing and program evaluation measurable outcome objectives were identified and assessments were developed and tested. A one-group pretest-posttest design with a convenience sample of parents was used for the study. Seventy-five of 99 parents completed pretests before and posttests after participating in the 6-week series of skill-enhancing workshops. Using a repeated measures analysis of variance, participants' group mean anger control levels increased (p=.016); their family conflict levels fell (p=.006); their overall anger levels fell (p=.000); their violence levels fell; and verbal aggression levels fell (p=.002). Their partners' violence levels also fell; verbal aggression levels fell (p=.004), and physical aggression levels fell (p=.032). In addition, participants reported increased knowledge levels (100 percent), improved attitudes (97.3 percent), improved behaviors (94.7 percent), and decreased unrealistic expectations of their children (69.3 percent). The findings suggest that professional preventive education specialists may now have an effective program to assist parents in managing their anger. Further research is encouraged. When parents participate in 6 weeks of skill building with well-trained professionals, positive changes in parenting and anger management are possible. 35 references